The classic case study is Jose Maria Olazabal in 2002 at Torrey Pines, where he made the cut on the number and wound up winning when the cut was 85 players.
Twice last year when the cut was more than 78 players, those who made it on the number wound up in the top 10 - Anthony Kim tied for third in New Orleans, Bo Van Pelt tied for sixth in Hartford. That's worth not only money, but FedEx Cup points. And with the Ryder Cup points based on dollars this year, it takes on greater significance.
But in this televised era of golf - and remember, that's where the $280 million (188 million) in prize money comes from - who wants to see 5 1/2-hour rounds and the final group having to wait 30 minutes on a tee late in the round, which recently happened in Las Vegas?
Both sides have merit. The broader issue is how these decisions are made.
The 16-member Player Advisory Council was roughly 75 percent in favor of the cut policy, so it went to the nine-member policy board. On matters related to competition, any change requires a majority of the four players on the board.
The cut policy was a unanimous decision.
Ames' excellent suggestion was to take a vote of the full membership, much the same way everyone votes on player of the year and other awards. Would it have been so difficult to give them a list of options and let the majority rule?
Or they could simply get more involved, which is what Kelly intends to do.
Each year, Kelly takes his name off the PAC ballot because he doesn't think anyone will listen. He forgot to do that this year, and lo and behold, he was elected. And he is determined to make a difference.
``There's a heck of a lot of guys who need a voice,'' Kelly said. ``I didn't think a voice could be heard. We'll find out.''
Kelly is certain the cut policy will be a big topic next week at the mandatory meeting, which was scheduled to discuss the anti-doping policy. Then again, at the last mandatory players' meeting in May, half the guys didn't even show up.
And most left early.
