And Yet More FedEx Cup Reviews

Not since Tiger turned 30 have the scribes found such an easy column, only in this case, they're actually interesting to read. Chris Lewis lists various reasons to question the playoff concept but loves that it has revealed an "unparalleled surfeit of tour pro honesty."

Meanwhile John Huggan says the FedEx Cup...

...is merely the latest attempt by commissioner Tim Finchem to set a place for himself at golf's top table, where sit the Masters, run by the Augusta National Golf Club; the US Open (United States Golf Association), the Open (Royal & Ancient Golf Club), the USPGA (PGA of America) and the Ryder Cup (PGA of America and European Tour). The world's biggest and richest circuit, the PGA Tour, has long been driven crazy by its almost total lack of influence over any of the game's five most important and lucrative events.

Which is why the Presidents Cup matches, a glorified exhibition between a 12-man team from the US and another drawn from anywhere and everywhere except Europe, exists. Ticked-off Tim wants to be the centre of attention.

Sadly for his sizeable ego, however, the Fed-Ex Cup has just about the same level of (in)credibility as does the transparently tacky PC, a biennial affair that is but a pale imitation of the Ryder Cup.

Also check out Huggan's column for his review of Scott Macpherson's new book on The Old Course. 

Comments

[jneu]

Chris Lewis's piece is excellent, especially his conclusion. I agree with whoever said here earlier that the Thingy wouldn't be nearly as bothersome if it were the Hagen Cup or something like that.

The point I don't get is the one about how awful it'll be if the Cup championship isn't being decided by the leaders at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. It's a four-week series (with some marginal carryover from the season); who wins in Atlanta is as irrelevant as who has the lowest fourth round in a regular tournament. Which is to say it only matters if it helps decide the overall event. The network will undoubtedly cover both aspects -- the tournament and the Cup race -- concentrating on whichever one contains Tiger or Phil.

[The Constructivist]

I disagree with JH on the Presidents Cup. Since no one would touch the Ryder Cup despite the fact that many of the best golfers in the world don't come from the U.S. or Europe, it makes sense to come up with one that faces it. I don't care about Finchem's ego if it results in good competitions.

[Hawkeye]

Chris Lewis last point was excellent, but ultimately it comes down to this: Economic growth in a capitalist society can at a certain point only be achieved through over-consumption of luxury goods. That point was reached a while ago. We must either live with relentless ads and walking billboards, or ignite an economic deflation. I don't know if any of those propositions sound too inviting, but for golf, I would definitely choose the latter.

[Wayne]

These are not playoffs in any real sense since the leader of the Tour Final will not necessarily be in contention for the FedUp Cup. It's like having the Super Bowl contended by two wild-card teams while a consolation game is being played by the two regular season leaders to see who is "Team of the Year."

I also agree with what he says about the telecasts not being watchable live. That's what PVRs were made for. (and you can FF through Furyk's putting routine)

[GeorgeM]

It appears that Huggan (and others) fail to understand the purpose of the PGAT and its CEO.

The TOUR exists to make money for its members.
The PC not only features some of the world's best golfers in a format superior to that of the RC, it also makes money for the TOUR.

Likewise, the aim of the FedEx Cup, no matter how poorly designed, is to increase revenue.

I suspect a major factor in Huggan's attitude is the negative impact Finchem's actions have on the ET. The welfare of other tours is not Finchem's responsibility.

Now, if Huggan were to address the real problem and suggest a mechanism that would permit peaceful coexistence of various professional golf tours in different geographical areas, his comments could be taken a little more seriously. The Federation is not helping in that area.

[hibbyfan]

finchem has no reponsibility to the game that allows his members to make so much money? how depressing.....