"The PGA Tour needs the players a lot more than the players need the PGA Tour."

Jason Sobel on the accelerated globilization of golf with this week's news:

It remains to be seen what kind of foresight and creativity can be employed to keep more top players competing in the U.S. more often. One thing is certain: This is a critical juncture for the PGA Tour and without a proper plan in place, its power could be severely weakened by those players who wish to ply their craft elsewhere around the world.

"The problem is the US Tour is just too rigid in terms of making you play 15 but with long-term suspensions if you don't."

I am fascinated by agent Johan Elliott's comments in suggesting Martin Kaymer will not take on a PGA Tour membership next year.

"Martin will follow Lee Westwood and not take out US Tour membership next year," said Elliott. "He just feels that joining the US Tour would be too much work and give him no freedom in his schedule. You have to play your 15 events and with everything else that he wants to play that would mean playing 30 tournaments."

Okay, first of all, if he plays four majors and four WGC's, he's more than halfway there. But anyway...this is what got my attention.

"The problem is the US Tour is just too rigid in terms of making you play 15 but with long-term suspensions if you don't."

Long-term suspensions?

Uh Oh, Lee Westwood Caught Talking About Lee Westwood

The dreaded third person self references reared as he discussed sticking with the European Tour.

"I don't want to be dictated to by having to go to America to play FedEx Cup when it doesn't really mean that much to me," said the 37-year-old. "It doesn't mean enough to me anyway.

"I think they (the PGA Tour) would like me to go and be a member there, but as of Monday evening I became an individual again and I do what's right for Lee Westwood now."