Tour preparing for Tiger-less future
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem reckons golf will be just fine once Tiger Woods retires.
Woods is currently taking a self-imposed break from the game, after admitting the current standard of his play simply wasn’t good enough to justify his continued presence on the PGA Tour.
No one knows when Woods will be back this time, or for how long, but Finchem reckons the Tour will continue to prosper even after the 14-time major winner eventually steps away for good.
“The PGA TOUR is going to be fine,” Finchem said Sunday at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championships.
“How concerned are we about him stepping away? You know, it’s the same thing we had in 2012.
“We had it for a period of time in 2009 and 2010. It’s good news and bad news.
“I mean, it’s more bad news than good news because it’s like Michael Jordan stepping away to play baseball that year. He’s your No. 1 player. He’s the player that on balance fans want to watch play more than any other…
“But when you lose your No. 1 player, in a time when he’s still in an age where he can really play if he can get back to that level; it’s not going to let you perform at the same level as you would with him.”
Finchem said the game also struggled when Jack Nicklaus retired, but it eventually recovered and will do so again.
“Sooner or later, it’s always going to happen. I remember how long it took for all of us, fans, media, to come to grips with Jack stepping away. It took years. Nobody wanted to let Jack go,” he said.
Finchem was full of praise for what Woods has done for the sport, however.
“During his period … the Tour has grown,” he said. “It’s gotten a bigger fan base.
“He’s brought a lot of people to the game. That’s a contribution that he will have made whether he stops playing now or whether he stops playing in 15 years.”
Latest
-
NewsVice-captain Graeme McDowell still has hopes of playing in another Ryder Cup
The Northern Irishman will be part of Europe’s bid to retain the trophy at Whistling Straits later this month.
-
NewsFleetwood ready to become villain of the piece as Europe bid to retain Ryder Cup
With coronavirus travel restrictions preventing large numbers of fans travelling, Padraig Harrington’s side are braced for a one-sided atmosphere.
-
NewsKristoffer Broberg ends ‘six years of hell’ with battling victory at Dutch Open
The Swede claimed his second European Tour title after finishing with a 72.
-
NewsIan Poulter: America’s rookies are in for nerve wracking Ryder Cup experience
Half of captain Steve Stricker’s side have never played in the biennial contest before.
-
NewsMcGinley wants Europe’s Ryder Cup players to forget about Koepka/DeChambeau feud
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes attempting to make capital from the spat could backfire.
-
NewsKristoffer Broberg eight shots clear at Dutch Open
The 35-year-old secured the course record at Bernardus Golf.
-
NewsSergio Garcia feeling rested and ready for Ryder Cup after wild card ‘gamble’
The Spaniard has won 25.5 points at the Ryder Cup.
-
NewsSweden’s Kristoffer Broberg holds a narrow halfway lead in the Dutch Open
Nine birdies helped him to a score of 64 in the second round at Bernardus Golf.
-
NewsAny rest for Rory and will practice make US perfect? – Ryder Cup talking points
The United States will be hoping to make the most of home advantage at Whistling Straits.
-
NewsNew-look USA aiming to reclaim Ryder Cup against experienced-packed Europe
Europe are the holders and have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups, but United States boast eight of the world’s top 10 players and home advantage.