Condensed Schedule Blues: These Guys Are...Pacing Themselves

We’ve been spoiled by a sensational field this week at Riviera, perhaps adding to the attention given to next week’s WGC Mexico City Championship facing some noticeable absences.

It seems absurd to offer this reminder on the fan-unfriendly topic of scheduling dynamics: there are too many options over a season, too many obligations, and too many majors in a short time.

So when Tiger Woods hosting and at an age where majors and family take priority, why is anyone surprised he’s passing on playing back-to-back weeks?

While I agree with Bob Harig’s general point about Woods’ decision to pass up easy points and progress toward an Olympics berth, the four majors preceding Tokyo remain more important. So does enjoyment of the life he’s built for himself.

For World No. 2 Brooks Koepka, also passing on Mexico City, health and majors come first. Especially after admitting that his recently repaired knee is still giving him significant trouble, and the PGA Tour heading to his home state for five weeks, it’s irrational to think that free points and a guaranteed $50,000 would entice him to risk further injury.

There was also this, which Koepka shared with myself and two other writers this week:

“I like the tougher golf courses which I think goes into the whole major thing, that's kind of how I'm trying to build my schedule. Trying to change what courses I play, what tournaments I play based on looking at not just previous year’s scores but the golf courses that are tougher. I'm not going to compete very well if it's eighteen under every week.”

Increasingly, top players are making architecture and setup a priority.

All of this serves as a reminder that the world’s best center their careers around the four majors above all else. With a condensed and sometimes inconvenient schedule, something’s got to give a bit more often than in year’s past.