TOC Field May Become Tournament Of Points Earners?
/I feel like we've done this before only to have everyone mention what a lousy idea it is, but since novelty isn't a strength in Ponte Vedra, apparently an expansion of this week's Tournament of Champions is under consideration.
Though no decision has been reached, among the discussed proposals are a two-year exemption for all winners or including all competitors from the previous Tour Championship field.
Oh, and Tiger and Phil still won't come.
Sobel says the thinking goes that if more guys get in Kapalua, more will play the next week at the Sony. But as Jim McCabe lays out in this Golfweek.com item on the variety of reasons players are skipping the Sony Open next week, it's apparent that the players will just do what they do, no matter what the tour tries.
“I’m just not very good at it,” said Jonas Blixt, who has missed the cut and finished T-54 in his two tries at Waialae CC. “It just doesn’t fit me. I just don’t hit enough fairways to compete there.”
One of the coziest and curviest courses on the PGA Tour schedule, Waialae CC has a list of former champions that is a tribute to its quality – from Hale Irwin and Lanny Wadkins, to Corey Pavin and John Cook, to Jim Furyk and Ernie Els, to Vijay Singh and David Toms. Zach Johnson? He wouldn’t miss it. But Dustin Johnson? He’s one of the 12 who won’t hope from Maui to Oahu this year.
"It doesn’t set up well for me,” said Martin Laird, another of those at the Plantation Course who will sit out the Sony. “If you don’t hit right-to-left you’re at a disadvantage. My high fade is not the ideal shot there.”
