I’m fairly sure every single person that’s important and makes decisions on the PGA Tour better be thanking their lucky stars, and thanking Tiger Woods handily for doing what they really hoped each and every big golfer on the tour would do over this golf season: Step up and play in more events. If you remember back, near the beginning of this PGA Season, Commissioner Tim Finchem publicly asked each and every golfer to step up and try to do more for their sponsors given the economic climate and yes, crisis that had been surrounding everything.
All Players Stepped It Up…Tiger Too
Step up they did, and one of the golfers that did a whole heck of a lot more stepping up than anyone anticipated was indeed, Tiger Woods. Now, he’s stepping up again and signing on for sure to play in one event he hasn’t played since 2003, and rumor has it he might actually be playing in all four of the Playoff Events for the FedEx Cup. That’s right, he’s officially signed on for the Barclays Tournament, which takes place Thursday Aug. 27 – Sunday Aug 30, 2009 at the Liberty National golf course in Jersey City, NJ. As mentioned, it’s been YEARS since Tiger has played this event, and if the rumors are true that he’s actually planning on competing in all four of the Playoff events, he’ll have played 7 times in a 9-week stretch that goes all the way back to his performance at the Buick Open.
New Points System Enticing Tiger?
Possibly, but not positively affecting Tiger’s decision to play is a new points system that actually ends up penalizing the golfer for taking weeks off, making it more difficult to bounce back. Saying that, it didn’t affect Tiger’s decision in 2007, so it remains to be seen exactly why he agreed to play this time around. Obviously last year he missed due to his knee surgery.
Tourney Director Sounds Off…
So what did the Barclays tournament director have to say about Tiger’s decision? Plenty of glowing compliments and excitement:
“The Barclays has been an exciting kickoff to the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup each of the first two years. Having Tiger in the field this year will, no doubt, bring even more excitement to the tournament…”
Now we just have to wait to see who else will be part of the 125-man field. We’ll know after the Wyndham Championship ends. No matter what, all eyes will be on Tiger.
