"Going to perhaps more of a flex schedule where we actually move some tournaments around to two or three dates so that they can take advantage of reaching more players."

Robert Thompson notes Tim Finchem's remarks about a possible "flex" schedule concept and considers how it could impact the Canadian Open.

Here are his comments, which were news to me. Has anyone seen him talk about this elsewhere?

Q. I was just wondering how much discussion has been held so far about the possible change of date.

TIM FINCHEM: Well, we talk about dates all the time with every tournament, so a fair amount. You know, I think as I believe I said publicly, one of the things we're looking at in the mid term, which would be after our television agreements are renewed, which are currently through '12, so starting in '13, is going to perhaps more of a flex schedule where we actually move some tournaments around to two or three dates so that they can take advantage of reaching more players.

And I think that would be particularly beneficial, potentially, for this week because we've got a tournament that it would be good for this tournament to be able to reach more players with what's going on this week, and why this is a tournament staged at the level it currently is.

I can't swear we're going to go to that. There are a lot of issues with it. There are some down sides to some weeks, but it's something we're looking very carefully at. We've had some very preliminary discussion with the RCGA and the RBC. We'll be talking about that more over the next 6 months. But that is certainly something we'll look at going forward as a possibility.

Comments

[ArdmoreAri]

Before the Tiger era dawned wasn't this tournament (Canadian Open) somewhat of a fifth major before there ever was a fifth major?

[Tim in Hoylake]

Indeed it was; how can one expect Tiger to win the Triple Crown again (anyone remember a certain 4 iron from a bunker over 200 yards of water to 15 a foot green to win it) if you stick the Canadian Open fast against the British. Ridiculous. Indeed it was the Fifth major, with Arnie and Jack not missing it very often. Late September wasn't much better, but at least it was not as bad as it is now. Vancouver has great courses from March to November, so surely something could be worked out. The rest of Canada is OK from May through October...

Mr. Watson wasn't exactly thrilled with the British Open, Br. Senior Open and then US Senior Open three weeks in succession either - a bit silly isn't it?

[Tim in Hoylake]

P.S. Greg Norman, who won the Canadian before each of his two British Opens considered it to be above the PGA as the fourth major.

[OWGR Fan]

The Canadian Open has a long and great history that deserves to have some better fields and courses to be played on.

[Huh?]

In other words lets move some events around and "HOPE" it interests Tiger in playing in them. Good luck with that.