So far, 2007 has not resembled golf's Golden Age. Here are the ten biggest disappointments thus far in golf this year:
10. The FedEx Cup The PGA Tour has tried to force feed us the points standings. The Golf Channel keeps cramming the points list down our throats. Still, no one cares. Nothing seems to be at stake. The race to the FedEx Cup playoffs? Hardly, since 144 players qualify. Which is everybody who is anybody. And why keep track of the points since they're just going to be reset for the playoffs? There is no drama, no interest and no reason to get interested in the FedEx Cup points standings yet. It's too early to call it a bust, but it's not too early to be concerned about its utter lack of buzz.
9. The Presidents Cup Five bucks says you had no idea this was a Presidents Cup year. Another five says that if you'd known, you wouldn't have actually cared. OK, you owe me $10. Wonder when the suits at the PGA Tour are going to realize that the overhyped focus on the FedEx Cup is not only overshadowing the Presidents Cup, but it's also going to doom its slate of fall events. If you keep harping about the FedEx Cup playoffs ending the season with a big bang, how do you explain a bunch of no-name events you try to hold a few weeks later?
8. John Daly It was disappointing that he had to rely on sponsor's exemptions to get into tournaments this year since he lost his card and refused to go to Q-school. His poor play and his penchant for giving up are even more important. His high rate of withdrawals during his career makes him the biggest quitter in modern tour history. In 11 tournaments this year, he has missed five cuts, withdrawn three times and made three cuts. His best finish is 22nd at the Nissan Open. If I was a tournament director, I wouldn't waste a sponsor's exemption on him. What's most disappointing, perhaps, is that the exemptions keep pouring in for Daly.
7. The Champions Tour It's practically just a rumor these days. No matter what happens, no matter who wins, no matter how well they play, the old guys can't get any attention. It didn't help that newbie 50-somethings like Fred Funk and Jay Haas resisted playing the senior shift full time at first — what signal does that send? The tour's fan-friendly agenda makes it enjoyable for spectators, but its message isn't getting transmitted to the public via television. It's disappointing these guys can't get a little attention.
6. Michelle Wie Frankly, we're glad to have a break from Michelle Hysteria. She was a media darling when she shot 68 in the first round of U.S. Open qualifying, and heroic when her attempt came up short. But when she kept shooting big numbers in men's events, the Wie-bashing began. She has been out with a bad wrist and, hopefully, enjoying the life of a real high-schooler. She didn't break par in her last eight LPGA rounds and has been sidelined since January.
5. The International No golf in Denver, one of the country's biggest markets? Surely you jest — and stop calling me Shirley. It's hard to believe, but founder Jack Vickers pulled the plug on his beautiful baby. He tried changing dates to attract Tiger Woods, but when Woods stayed away, so did potential sponsors. What really happened is that the World Golf Championships stole Vickers' schtick — bringing the best players from around the world together. Vickers started the International because foreign players weren't playing much in the United States. Now, most of them are PGA Tour members and they all play for big prize money in the WGC events, usurping his niche. Denver is too good a golf town — what with Castle Pines and Cherry Hills, to name a few — to not be on the tour schedule.
