I’m not sure what to make of the Wyndham.
For starters, tournament director Mark Brazil throws the gates wide open, letting fans who arrive for today’s round before 9a.m. in free. Brazil says he’s reaching out to non-golf fans and those who can’t afford the extravagant sum of $25. He can say that he all we wants, but we’re you’re letting people in for nothing, you just don’t have a hot ticket. I’ll be fair, though. Maybe the ticket’s just too hot, weather-wise.
The N&R’s coverage is curious, too. Instead of a straight news story describing yesterday’s action, today’s sports page led with Ed Hardin’s column discussing — you guessed it —- Tiger Woods’ absence. Not from the Wyndham, mind you, but from the first round of the FedEx cup. Hardin’s logic:
Woods has the power to make or break the playoff system. He also has the power to make or break tournaments. If he would come to Greensboro just one time he could give it a boost that would last for years. He’s even powerful in his absence.
The storyline in golf this week has nothing to do with Greensboro and everything to do with Woods not playing next week. That’s power. And that’s a major problem for the PGA Tour.
I realize the playoff format isn’t populat with many players, but I’m still missing the logic where one Woods absence casts doubt over the FedEx cup yet one Woods appearance could boost the Wyndham for years. Tiger’s either there or he’s not.
Let me ask a question: Top contenders in other major sports are often granted a bye, right? It’s a major motivation for finishing the regular season on top and having an extra week to heal injuries and rest tired bodies. If anyone deserves it, Tiger does, right?
