CUT POLICY: Controversy seems to follow the PGA Tour cut policy no matter what it is.
The most recent change allowed for a secondary cut after the third round if more than 78 players made the cut. Seventy-nine players made the cut last week at Innisbrook, and the 54-hole cut to top 70 and ties eliminated eight players.
So it worked — except for one thing.
The second cut was not made until Sunday morning because of weather delays, so the final round features threesomes on both tees. If the tour had stuck with the original change — closest number to 70 play the final two rounds — then 64 players would have advanced to the third round, and there would have been enough daylight to finish.
"I find that ironic," said Paul Goydos, no fan of either change. "I find that hilarious."
TOO LITTLE, WAY TOO LATE: Dottie Pepper joined some of the NBC Sports staff for a round on the Island course at Innisbrook early in the week at the PODS Championship. She looked as if she had seen a ghost when she pulled up to the practice green.
"The 18th green brought back some bad memories," she said.
She had not been on the Island Course since 1984, when she was a freshman at Furman and had a chance to win the NCAA title until a three-putt on the last hole.
A day later, Pepper returned to the Island course. Playing the 18th, she holed out from the fairway for eagle with a 7-iron.
POULTER POTENTIAL: Ian Poulter says his comments were taken out of context by a British golf magazine, but that hasn't let him off the hook with his peers — not only players, but caddies.
Some quick background, if needed.
Poulter told U.K.-based Golf World that while he respects every golfer, "I know I haven't played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger."
John Wood, the looper for Hunter Mahan, arrived at Riviera early Sunday with his game face on.
"I think this is the day that I reach my full potential as a caddie," Wood said. "And when I do, it will be just me and Stevie."
That would be Steve Williams, caddie for Tiger Woods.
DIVOTS: The PODS Championship had a stronger field than the Honda Classic, based on the world rankings. ... David Toms is not eligible for the CA Championship, the first time he has missed a World Golf Championship since Firestone in 2000. ... Tiger Woods again will play the Tavistock Cup, matches between touring pros from Isleworth and Lake Nona in the Orlando area. Newcomers to the Isleworth team include J.B. Holmes, Daniel Chopra and Paula Creamer.
STAT OF THE WEEK: Justin Leonard is No. 32 in the world. He was at No. 210 a year ago.
FINAL WORD: "My first practice round was Tuesday, and I played with Tiger and Mark O'Meara. I needed a diaper. It was pretty overwhelming." — Sean O'Hair, on his first trip to the Masters.
