Good for Phil. He shouldn't be playing in any event if his heart really isn't in it. Earlier this year Phil commented that the TOUR Championship was "...late in the year and anticlimactic."
It is very likely that Phil will also avoid the Mercedes Championships, meaning he will probably kick off his 2006 campaign at Torrey Pines. I expect a rested and ready Phil to have yet another fine season in 2006.
With all the money the top players bank each year and the yearly awards pretty much sewn up by now there's really not much incentive to play in this event. We'll see what the PGA Chase and changing the date does to bring the status of this event back to where it used to be.
Listening to Phil's comments, he'd probably prefer to skip every event after the PGA. I'm sure the new schedule for 2007 will pretty much allow that. I'd liked to have seen him at East Lake, where he's had some success, but if he's not there the event will still go on.
It all comes back to incentive. He's got more money than he'll ever spend, he doesn't seem to care about the Tour Championship title, and there's nothing else left in the year to play for. Why not spend the time with his family? Given his circumstances I know I would.
I've never been a fan of Phil's. Not that I'm gonna watch the Tour Championship anyway, but still. This move makes him really seem like he's in it for the money.
If he is using the time to be with his family, that's a different story. But if his reasoning is he's got enough money that he can call it quits after the PGA Championship, then that's a classless move on his part.
(As if Tiger doesn't just show up for the majors and a few more events just to make sure his face is still out there)
I've never been a fan of Phil's. Not that I'm gonna watch the Tour Championship anyway, but still. This move makes him really seem like he's in it for the money.
If he is using the time to be with his family, that's a different story.
I think this is, in fact, the reason, Greg. Phil is quite devoted to his family and loves to spend as much time as possible with them. With the TOUR's money title and Player Of The Year award already wrapped up, Phil just didn't see the sense in being away from his family another week.
I think this is, in fact, the reason, Greg. Phil is quite devoted to his family and loves to spend as much time as possible with them. With the TOUR's money title and Player Of The Year award already wrapped up, Phil just didn't see the sense in being away from his family another week.
Greg and droogy33 are both correct to a point, but there's more to it.
The way the TOUR Championship was set up the Pro/Am was on Tuesday, Nov 1st (as opposed to the customary Wednesday Pro/Ams in regular tour events). Phil's got young kids and didn't want to miss participating in their Halloween experience - In order to participate in the main event tour players are REQUIRED to participate in the Pro/Am.
Phil couldn't do both, participate in the Pro/Am (a pre-requisite for playing in the tournament) AND share in his kids Halloween - he had to make a choice and he chose to be with his kids.
Being a family man myself, I for one respect him **** for it.
For an accomplished player like Phil there'll always be another Tour Championship to participate in (I'll be surprised if he doesn't finish in the Top-30 on tour for the next few years), but you only get so many chances to participate in special events with your kids.
waylman is way off base with his "whipped" remarks.
Last edited by leaguegolf : November 5th, 2005 at 06:08 PM.
Reason: Inappropriate Language/Comment
October 30th, 2005, 01:04 AM
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