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Divots

MONEY WATCH: There is plenty at stake for those not competing in this week's Tour Championship in Atlanta. The Farm Bureau Classic in Mississippi has most of the other PGA Tour players, some of whom will be trying to finish among the top 125 money winners in order to remain fully exempt in 2003. And there are other battles, such as the one for the top 40 on the money list. Those players not already exempt earn an invitation to the Masters. Also, anyone finishing among the top 30 gets into the U.S. Open, which means there is a possibility someone in the Mississippi field could pass someone at the Tour Championship. The top 20 on the money list get a free pass to the British Open next year.

SENIOR NAME CHANGE?: Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour, apparently would like to see the name of the Senior PGA Tour changed to the Champions Tour. Sports Illustrated reported that Finchem met with 50-and-over players recently and put forth that idea, the thought being the word "senior" has a negative connotation. Funny, but the name is similar to the proposed Major Champions Tour that Fred Couples proposed earlier this year. SI also reported that Finchem would like to see carts banned on the senior circuit, an idea that will likely get strong opposition.

RARE LOSS: This week's venue for the Tour Championship, East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, is one of the few places where Tiger Woods was unable to win a tournament after sharing or holding the outright lead through 54 holes. Two years ago, Woods was tied with Vijay Singh after three rounds, only to see Phil Mickelson win the tournament with a closing 66. It was one of just two times in Woods' PGA Tour career that he failed to win with a 54-hole lead. He is 26-2 in such situations, the only other loss coming in 1996 to Ed Fiori -- the first time he was in that position as a pro.

TWINS TO UF: Aree and Naree Song Wongluekiet, 16-year-old twins who have attended the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton for the past four years, will be headed to the University of Florida on golf scholarships next year. Golfweek reported that the Wongluekiets, who have played in 21 LPGA Tour events as amateurs the past three years, will likely play at UF for a year before turning pro after turning 18 in the spring of 2004. The Wongluekiets will graduate from high school next spring. They will join Tampa's Mallory Code in Gainesville, the Gators should be strong national title contenders.

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