The PGA Class System

Hello. Congrats to JJ Henry on winning his first tourney, the Buick Championship. For Henry it was especially memorable, because he grew up an hour away from the Hartford, CT course. He used to go there to watch the PGA's best. Now he can say he's one of them. While the US Women's Open took up my interest this past weekend, Henry's story and Gary Van Sickle's article on si.com re the Fedex Cup gave me a new perspective on the PGA "class system".
There are basically 4 categories of golfers on the PGA Tour. Here they are in reverse order:

1. The player struggling to get in the top 125. This player has minimal endorsements, and as such relies on purse money to survive. If he doesn't get $600,000+ in earnings, it's back to Q-school. Beginning next year, he will be playing "The Quest For The Card" events from September to November hoping to avoid Q-school. Needles to say, there's a big difference in lifestyle between $600,000 and working at a pro shop or driving range. Forced to play whenever he can.
2. The 31st to 125th money list player who hasn't won recently. He is secure in getting his card, with usually $700,000+ in earnings by season's end. Good endorsement contracts, and asked to make appearances for relatively modest fees. Can pick and choose when to play.
3. The 2005-2006 tournament winner. Exempt for 2 years on the PGA. Gets invited to many special events, and qualifies for Mercedes Championship. Endorsement deals usually go through the roof, because he'll be mentioned for the rest of the season and next season as a champ/defending champ. Off course appearances skyrocket. Can pick and choose when to play.
4. The major winner. Exempt for 5 years on Tour, gets more money than he can ever spend, known for life as a major winner. Can pick and choose when to play.

As Van Sickle points out, the Fedex Cup, with its $10 million first prize, could transfer someone in groups 1 or 2 into group 3. This is great for the player, but it means there is one less player in group 1. This group is the only group compelled to play any of the lesser tournaments. As a result, these tournaments suffer.

If the Fedex Cup winner is in groups 3 or 4, they already have a boatload of money to live on. They won't have to ever pick up a club again even before this tourney. In effect, this money is meaningless to them. Again, the lesser tournaments suffer.

Van Sickle concludes, and I agree, the Fedex Cup does nothing to help the lesser tournaments. And since the players in groups 2, 3 and 4 do not really need the money, they will not be intense as they are during a major, especially having to play 4 events in a row. That's why I think Tiger in particular will not play in this event past 2007.

And it's also why tournaments in general and the Canadian Open in particular (which STILL doesn't have a title sponsor 2 months before the event) should set their expectations correctly when determining the benefits of the Fedex Cup. Otherwise, they could be in for a big disappointment.

Regards,

Steve