Changes to the FedEx Cup

The PGA Tour came out with changes to the FedEx Cup today. The first 3 events will be played in succession beginning August 21st. Then there will be a 1 week break with absolutely no golf on the PGA Tour. The following week (September 21st) the Ryder Cup will be held at Valhalla. The only other "change" is that a portion of the prize money will be paid directly to the players rather than put into the player's retirement account.

The tour's press release says the first year worked "well enough" and therefore no major changes were made. I think that statement is questionable at best. This year your 2 biggest stars in Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson skipped an event, as did Ernie Els and British Open Champion Padraig Harrington. This change will help those that will play in the Ryder Cup, but I don't see where it will do anything about players skipping events.

I just don't think Tim Finchem and the rest of the Tour leadership did enough. According to Jason Sobel at ESPN.com 37.5% of fans thought there needed to major overhaul and 44.2% thought there needed to be minor changes. I don't think what has been done would even qualify as a minor change, from my eyes it looks like a "no change."

The Tour does note the posibility of a revision in the point system, but this will not be finalized until February - after the season has already begun. Hopefully this change will take place and give more players a chance to challenge for the championship. However, none of the changes made or the proposed changes address the major problem with the schedule. I don't see Tiger or Phil being anymore likely to play 5 of 6 weeks than they were to play 4 in a row this year.

Maybe next year.