The world's best golfers have gathered at the same tournament in the Atlanta suburbs this week, a feat that would have been virtually impossible in the days preceding the World Golf Championship events.
No way the likes of Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie or a slew of other European stars would have trekked to U.S. soil at this time of year for a regular PGA Tour event. The same might even be said for world traveler Ernie Els, who plays a full schedule here and in Europe.
The $6-million tournament, the American Express Championship, is part of the WGC that began in 1999. The intent was to have the world's best compete against each other more often.
Nearly a decade ago, Greg Norman broached the idea of a world tour, and that concept had some steam until the PGA Tour nixed it. Then, a few years later, commissioner Tim Finchem unveiled his world tour concept in the form of three official World Golf Championship events.
Northern Ireland's Clarke, who has been known to puff on big cigars, drive fast cars and down a few pints in his native land, might never have ventured to this side of the Atlantic so often were it not for such events. In August, he won the WGC-NEC Invitational. Now he's back in the states again.
With $6-million at stake, no cut, more than $1-million to the winner and a guaranteed paycheck, who could refuse?
"They're great events," said Tiger Woods, who won the American Express last year when it was played in Ireland. "They're obviously not the major championships, but they're certainly above the normal tour event. These are the best collection of players that we get as far as the year-round schedule. You get guys from all around the world playing in these events. It makes it even more special when you can win one of these."
But with the beauty comes a burden. As great as it is that the world's best congregate at these tournaments - which is rare outside of the major championships - they do cause trouble for the rank-and-file PGA Tour events.
Last week at the Texas Open, just nine of the top 25 players on the PGA Tour money list showed. Two weeks ago at the 84 Lumber Classic in Pennsylvania, it was worse. No top-10 players competed and one from the top 20 was in attendance.
It's simply a numbers game. The world's top players are going to play so many events. If they routinely play the WGC tournaments, that is three fewer regular events they are likely to play.
Use any elite player as an example. He is going to play the four majors, the winners-only Mercedes and the season-ending Tour Championship, along with the Players Championship. Add the three WGC events and you're up to 10 tournaments already.
Woods will likely play 18 or 19 events this year, and you can pencil him in for L.A., San Diego, Bay Hill, Memorial, the Western Open, and the Deutsche Bank Classic, which benefits his foundation. Throw in one of the Buick events and there aren't many opportunities left.
And that's where the Milwaukees, Hartfords and Hondas of the PGA Tour get burned.
Tampa Bay is fortunate to have its place on the PGA Tour schedule. The Chrysler Championship will be played the week before the Tour Championship, the last full-field event of the year. Throw in what is regarded by players as an excellent golf course and it's a destination that is likely to attract a top field.
Not every event can say the same.
KEEP PLAYING: Ryder Cup captains Hal Sutton and Bernhard Langer were at a news conference this week to promote next year's event, and they decreed that all matches would be played to conclusion, no matter the result of overall competition.
Last month at the Solheim Cup in Sweden, the final five matches were conceded after European women clinched the Cup - though several holes were left.
"We're going to continue to the 18th hole," said Sutton, the U.S. captain, who conferred with Langer on the matter, "because everyone bought tickets. We feel everyone deserves a chance to watch."
AROUND GOLF: The field scoring average of 68.554 at last week's Texas Open was the lowest on the PGA Tour since the 68.445 at the 1991 Chattanooga Classic. ... Craig Stadler increased his season earnings on the Champions Tour to $885,000 after his victory last week. That's more in 12 tournaments than he made in any year on the PGA Tour.
