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Greetings ...

As some of you may know, I have been compiling an "Alternative" Points List - different from the actual Fed Ex Cup List - at the end of each month this year. After some extended calculation work, I am now able to announce the publication of the list for the end of May.

»» Top 20 "Alternative" Points Leaders - Thru May 2007

Keep in mind that this list does not reflect results from the first two weeks of June. The next "Alternative" Top 20 List will be published within eight days after the finish of the last event in June.

Much of how the "Alternative" Top 20 List works is explained on the web-page itself. Of course you will see that I use points that are at least 40 times greater than those offered in actual events, and that I use point value multipliers of 1.0x-1.2x-2.0x-3.0x instead of the actual 0.5x-1.0x-1.05x-1.10x scheme.

While it is true that this results in players being in positions either better than or worse than where they are on the actual FedEx Cup Points List, it also bears out the very obvious fact that those who play well and place well (and do one or both often) will be high in the "Alternative" standings, while others who perform less well will be lower in the "Alternative" standings. This is fairly documented in the "Additional Notes" area of the web-page.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while players can make big moves in events with 2.0x and 3.0x point values, they are not guaranteed to retain their standings on the "Alternative" List unless they play well collectively elsewhere. Also, the 1.0x point values for the "opposite event" Mayakoba Classic in Mexico (which in actual fact has 0.5x point values) do have an impact, but not for winner Fred Funk, as is explained on the web-page.

It's an involved read to be sure, yet hopefully it will be one that is informative and enlightening. Feel free to post your comments and questions here.

Thanx-A-Lot and Enjoy, Frank-0-Sport

Greetings ...

Had some problems with the "Alternative" List ?? Here's some explanations which may help

About the Mercedes-Benz Championship
What I'm suggesting here is this - A season-opening FedEx Cup-type event, limited to last year's PGA Tour winners, and offering double points, with 30th place-or-worse worth the same as 7th place in a regular event - that's too good to pass up.

And we could do better than that. Let's say bye-bye to the Sony-Hawaii Open and run the Mercedes from Monday thru Thursday in prime time, with the last round being televised by CBS or NBC. Bet that would get Tiger and Phil very interested.

About some events with 1.2x point values
Byron Nelson, Bob Hope, Pebble Beach, Palmer's Bay Hill, Jack's Memorial, the Colonial, Heritage and maybe another - the 1.2x offering is in honor of tradition more than anything else.

About 2.0x point values for WGC's and Fed Ex Cup Playoffs
Done with reluctance, because from 2007 to 2012, the events will be the same ones each year at about the same place on the calendar, and no other events will be "sharing the experience". In actual fact, Tour stops that are not WGC's or playoffs are getting the shaft from the PGA Tour because they won't be offering enhanced points of any kind. That's not good strategy if the Tour expects to survive "as is".

About 3.0x point values for the Grand Slam Majors and the Players
Opinions vary but it is a fact that the Grand Slam Majors are always the most important events, with the Players close behind in the eyes of some. So they get 3.0x treatment.

As mentioned on the web-page, the heavy weighting - double or triple - is helpful but only if a player backs up a high finish with consistant play elsewhere.

As the season progresses, I expect the "Alternative" Top 20 List to start looking more like the Fed Ex Cup List - at least to some degree.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport