Fed Ex Cup

[chipin1]

I know we've already discussed the Fed Ex Cup on this forum but as it moves towards the final stages I wondered what everyone thinks of it...

Personally, this event proves that the best players get paid too much - there's a 10 million dollar reward and they don't seem that bothered.

Mickelson's idea of having piles of cash mounted up on the course showed how out of touch he is with the average golfing punter. I suspect that one of the reasons the game is so expensive for us is that we end up subsidising these events.

Rant over!

 

[Golfer2112]

You have to wonder what drives the top guys (Woods, Mickelson etc) who are worth millions. Ever bigger carrots in the form of buckets of cash seems to be the American answer.

And, yes, we do indirectly pay for all this.

Woods has got enough dosh never to worry about $$ again and another 10 mil won't make any difference to his lifestyle.

It'd be funny if Big John Daly won the $10,000,000. I bet execs from every casino in Vegas would be swarming round him in no time.

 

[golfdonkey]

The whole thing is a big turn off. I'm only interested in the main money list and the world rankings. Who really cares who wins the FedEx Cup. Majors and world rankings are what matters.

 

[madandra]

I am calling it the "FED UP CUP" cos I am scunnered with it already.

 

[rgs]

Mickelson's "Vision" to have the cash on show goes a long way to prove why he will never be like Woods. Woods only cares about Majors and beating Nicklaus record of 18 majors.

The $10M prize is a pension fund not straight up cash.

The Fex Ex Cup is a bit of a nonsense-you can miss a tournament and still make the Tour Championship.

 

[chipin1]

The pension idea was what got Mickelson hot under the collar. He wants the cash so he can blow it betting on baseball. What a waste of money!

 

[MacMachattie]

It's mega dull. I'm a bit miffed by the European Tour event this week - Mercedes Benz Championship. Only a 78 man field, loads of invites, no cut, Ryder Cup counting and a top prize of €320,000. Anyone else think it's just about handing out some end of season bonuses?

 

[Marko77]

Assuming you have gained enough points during the season you can afford to miss a tournament. Mickelson and Woods didn't have much to worry about but I bet Harrington was sweating as to whether he'd be playing this week or not.

I think there's definate tweaking required with points/scheduling however feel the Fed Ex cup will develop into something good for the game to get more people thinking of it as a season and not a collection of tournaments. Its s shame that come the final event only 3 have a realistic chance of winning the overall prize.

Why can't they have the cash now? Yes, it's too much money but thats what the sponsor is putting up - its not the players faults. If I achieved something in my work and was told I'll get the bonus after so long I'd be kicking up a fuss.

Here's hoping Stricker is the man!!

 

[chipin1]

I agree Marko - you can't really blame the players for all the money that's flying around. But the problem is that, in a strange way, the money devalues the golf. They earn so much that Mickelson and Woods aren't too bothered about the prestige of winning something like the Fed Ex Cup. Therefore it will never become something that the top players desperately want to win.

I've got a good idea that I'm sure Mickelson (remembering that he wanted wads of cash piled up on the tees) would jump on board with. Next year, if someone holes a shot from off the green, a massive hose should start pumping $50 notes onto the green. The caddie then has to run on and catch as much as possible, holding his bib out like a bucket. What he catches the player can pocket... That would add a bit of excitement. Classy, eh!

 

[Marko77]

I saw that interview last night and was surprised he said what he said. I'm sure he could have put his point across better.

I partly blame the media (as well as sponsors) for all the cash hype. Instead of asking - do you want to win 10million (duh?). Ask them about their desire to be tour champion 2007.

There's not nearly as much money on offer in Europe yet we hardly hear about the push to win the Order of Merit. Harrington winning the Open makes it all but impossible for anyone to win it the conventional way (a win here, top 10 here and there...etc). Again - a revision to how the rankings are determined needed? Points instead of cash?