Tiger's Loss Is Phil's Gain: HSBC Edition

There's some fantastic behind-the-scenes manuevering in the news that Phil Mickelson is starting his season at the HSBC in Abu Dhabi for the first time since 2011, once a guaranteed $1.5 million (at least) check for Tiger Woods if he so chose to appear (he's doing the Dubai event this year, $o don't worry he'll be okay).

But things may have changed after Woods' 36-hole Abu Dhabi appearance in 2013 which included a rust-induced cold top and a rules mishap, followed by passing on the HSBC in Shanghai last week to the chagrin of the man writing the checks. The same man who complained for the second year in a row about his plight in luring stars without appearance fees.

The Tiger and HSBC bond's demise could be linked agent Mark Steinberg's move to Excel from IMG. HSBC and IMG are partners in tournament operations and player money management services, according to this Golfweek story. You know, we pay them an appearance fee, then we take 20% of what we decided to pay them.

Either way, Mickelson was evidently happy to take the fee budgeted for Tiger to start a reduced schedule season overseas, presumably followed by his hometown event at Torrey Pines where Woods is expected to start his 2014 campaign.

Oh wait, the season has already started. But the appearance fee silly season is alive and well!