PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem "has concerns about
several factors," which "threaten to limit widespread
participation of elite players at future tour events,"
according to Jimmy Burch of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM.
Among Finchem's concerns are the "emergence of the World
Golf Championships," the "proliferation of appearance fees"
awarded to PGA Tour players who compete in European Tour
events and the "creation of more special events" similar to
the made-for-TV Tiger Woods-David Duval exhibition match.
Finchem: "These are things we have to monitor. I feel good
about where we are. But if things start going in the other
direction, we'll have to make some adjustments." Burch
notes that five "elite" PGA Tour players have been released
from next week's MasterCard Colonial so they might accept
"six-figure appearance fees" to compete at a European tour
event. Finchem: "We carefully monitor the number of
releases. But once in a while, we still have a blip on the
screen generated by big appearance money. ... If things get
too bad [in the future], we won't grant releases beyond a
certain number" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/13).
THE DEBATE CONTINUES: Finchem "predicted" future
special events, such as the Woods-Duval match, "will be few
and far between during the regular season." Finchem: "It's
the kind of thing that doesn't make a lot of sense to do a
lot. ... But this is a unique set of circumstances. It's a
match people want to see and we're thinking it will promote
the game to a wider viewing audience" (STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/13).
Reaction to the special event continues. In Albany, Steve
Campbell writes under the header, "Woods vs. Duval A Joke"
(Albany TIMES UNION, 5/13). In Richmond, Jerry Lindquist
writes on the prime time event: "You don't suddenly like a
sport just because it's on at night. What's more, Woods
isn't the guaranteed attraction he was a couple of years
ago. ... Now if Woods would promise to hit Duval over the
head with a driver, maybe things would be different"
(RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/13). But in Jacksonville, Gene
Frenette writes: "Whatever appears contrived or artificial
about this event is far outweighed by the fact people want
to see two of the best in any sport go one-on-one. Sure
it'd be better if this was in the final round of the U.S.
Open and not just an exhibition" (FL TIMES-UNION, 5/13).
