Vijay won't play
Jim Rome said today that Singh declined to play in the made-for-TV "Big Four" event later this year. Apparently, Tiger, Phil, and Els all said that they would play, while Vijay declined without citing a reason.
Rome went on to guess why this might be the case: They all hate each other, and why would Vijay want to play 18 holes of grab-ass with them.
I agree, to a point. Even if this is the case, I still think that Vijay should play, for two reasons.
First, this might be the only opportunity for the world to see the four best golfers of a generation play in the same group. Each of these players is in the peak years of their careers (with the exception of Tiger, but 2000 was an anomaly). It would definitely help settle "who is the best".
Second, what ever happened to beating in your rival's brains? A good ass-beating by Vijay would do wonders for his reputation on tour, and in the minds of the public. He would have to be the favorite, considering Tiger's swing changes, Els' travel schedule, and Phil's swashbuckling.
C'mon, Vijay. Take the offer, take the money, and take 'em all out behind the shed. It would do wonders for golf, and just might reduce the focus on Tiger, which, while great for his legend, is bad for the Tour overall (note: I like all of these players equally, for different reasons).
10 Comments:
Why do you say the focus on Tiger is bad for the Tour?
Because of the massive drop-off in viewers when he is not playing. He plays in less than 20 events a year. If (somehow) the others in the big four could help bring in more casual viewers (possibly by a prime-time dusting of Woods?), that can only help.
Know that I love Tiger Woods, I think he is the best ever. From a marketing perspective (I'm a Marketing Professor, so these things interest me:)), the PGA has an interesting problem, in that only one of their players really trancends the sport into public awareness. When most viewers only watch when Tiger is playing, the rest of the tour becomes irrelevant, at least in the mind of the networks and the public.
This is the main reason that we have been reading articles about reducing the schedule. None of the stops that Tiger regularly plays in will be removed, I guarantee.
Overall, of course, Tiger has revitalized the PGA tour, starting in the mid-90s. So tour purses increase, everyone gets richer, but no one watches when Tiger isn't playing. Tough nut to crack.
I think Rome was trying to make this point if you heard it (I think pgatour.com also did a poor side article related to this...piggybacking on Rome), but he did not make it well. Vijay won't play in the event because he does not need the money. I'll elaborate:
1) You would think that I could the same for Tiger, Phil, and Els (i.e. they don't need the money), but this event creates exposure that will expand their ability to increase their advertising contracts. Vijay, as his off-course earnings shows, makes hardly anything in advertising money, and earns most of his money playing golf.
2) At this point in his career, he seems to be focusing on finalizing his legacy...i.e. getting wins. This event would take four days out of his schedule, earn him a very small amount of money (in his world), and a win (or loss) would only earn him a few press articles that have the possibility of being negative.
3) Granted, all the top players are fairly loner-type individuals. Yet, as mentioned pefore, there is a fairly cold relationship between Vijay and Tiger (remember the "Tiger Who" hat?) and Vijay and Phil (remember the argument over the length of shoe spikes a short while ago?). Why would you want to spend a few days with players that you don't get along with for a small amount of prize money? He has enough money that he doesn't need to go through a bad experience to earn more.
On a side note, I have friend at the Byron Nelson, where the ball always travels far on the hard fairways. But he said the drives by Tiger are outrageous. He saw two holes where the drive was about 400 yards, and he is easily averaging over 350 in the practice rounds. To put it in perspective, his playing partners are as much as 40-50 yards behind him. On the par 5s, he said there isn't another player even coming close to the distance he hits it, including Daly, etc. Look for some eagles by Tiger this weekend, although probably not low scores due to the erratic nature of the drives.
Good points, power fade. I did hear that justification (no need for the money) but I'm just not convinced that money really plays into any of these players decisions. Im way more convinced by your second point.
Rome's railing on the money issue was mis-directed. It's about the relationships between these four players and Vijay's goals, not potential advertising dollars.
Vijay is an ass. Period.
That's just your stupid angry prejudice talking. Vijay is a great guy.
People like watching Tiger because he's young, attractive and has a great smile.
That's just how superficial America is.
Enough said..
I'm glad Vijay isn't playing that stupid corporate marketing jaunt that the others are - those guys are corporate sales shills first, golfers second..
your an ass
your the asshole
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