Will Tiger play at the Mercedes?

[FAHooGolfs]

Just read an article where Tiger is still undecided as to whether or not he's going to play in The Mercedes Championship next week to kick off the '07 season. He's only missed the event twice - once when recovering from knee surgery and last season when he took time off to spend with his dad.

With Friday being the entry deadline, what does everyone think? Will he play? Does he owe it to the TOUR to play in this event?

[Wood]

I absolutely think he should play. I absolutely think it is what he owes his fans and golf viewers around the world that pay his salary. I absolutely think it is in the best interest of himself and his image to play in (and probably win) this star studded event.

I absolutely think that I have no idea if he is gonna play, but I hope he does.

[allin]

I would think the chance to start the year off with a win, extending his streak would be pretty attractive, but I suspect that given the FED cup and his ability to spend time in exotic locations whenever he wishes he will pass.

[iacas]

I absolutely think he should play. I absolutely think it is what he owes his fans and golf viewers around the world that pay his salary. I absolutely think it is in the best interest of himself and his image to play in (and probably win) this star studded event.

He owes us 15 events per year, and that's if he wants to keep his PGA Tour card. Nothing more.

It'd be NICE to see him more, but I'd rather see him 15 times in a year playing at his best than 25 times playing so-so.

[underparnv]

I completely agree with Erik on this one.

Watching the man at the top of his game is, IMO, the best way to enjoy his greatness.

I can't wait to see him in person at the PGA Championship!!!

[Jockstrap]

I sincerely hope so, it's important for Tiger to remain in form and carry it over to '07 as soon as possible.
I'm looking forward to this event, every player will be eager to make a great start to the year which should provide some quality golf.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Hi

no he won't be playing sadly

we can expect to see him Hawaii though the following week??

BB69

[ApplebyFan]

Well, Tiger can play if he wants to, but he better be worried about Stuart Appleby defending his wins at the Mercedes Benz.

[Johnnyallthetime]

it's just been announced on espn that tiger will not be playing in the opener at kapalua.

[jrbechthold]

Too bad... I sure do like watching him play.
Guess I need to switch up my fantasy golf lineup.

[Baynative]

What the hell is up with this? I enjoy seeing Tiger play and tend to root for him, but I'm getting a little tired of this game with teasing the public about when he might choose to show up.

As far as fields go, this is one of the strongest. Heck, it's winners only.

PGATOUR.com still hasn't published the field. The deadline is 5:00PM EST.

[gogolfing]

So much for the "New Era for the PGA Tour"... The Fed Ex Cup was supposed to get guys out more; I just saw on the news that Tiger won't be playing until the Buick in San Diego. I know these guys are independent, but the Tour needs to step up and have some sort of requirement that the top players show up to the limited field events like the Tour Championship and the Mercedes. If I was paying millions as a sponsor, like Mercedes and Coke do for these tournaments, and guys like Phil and Tiger are blowing them off, I would seriously look at my committment to the Tour. We all know what happens to TV ratings and therefore exposure for sponsors when the top players show. Sooner or later this is going to affect sponsorship and in turn purses. Maybe that has to happen to get them to realize it.

I know purses are huge and guys pick and choose, but they make so much in sponsorship deals alone, there isn't the same kind of incentive. I think all of this plays into a lot of the American's woes in the Ryder Cup too. You don't see the guys from other countries bailing like this, and I know the Americans players 'get up' for the Ryder Cup, but it just doesn't seem that they're all that committed like the Europeans.

[jrbechthold]

It is a tough call...
Play when you are not ready and risk losing - or hold off and play when you are strong...

I am not defending him, but I have been in a similar position and granted, there was no overhanging "duty to public and sponsor" but I was glad I waited.

[flap]

Where is all the Tiger bashing for skipping this event?You all mauled Phill for doing it but not Saint Tiger?

[ApplebyFan]

I'm not bashing Tiger OR Phil, I just think that its kind of dissapointing. I mean, you dont see the young, up-and-coming players doing this. I think that the players like Tiger and Phil just think they run the system, which isnt exactly true.

[cmarkmyers]

I would be disappointed if I thought he was going to play, but I think most people knew he would not. Even though The Golf Channel was talking about what streak would end - Apple's at the Mercedes or Tiger's consecutive victories - I was pretty sure Tiger would not be an issue.

When he does play I am certainly more interested, but I don't begrudge anyone on the tour that skips any event for any reason. So many people talk about Tiger and Phil not doing what they can to support the tour and then say they don't watch events that marquis players are not in. I say fans should do more to support the tour by watching EVERY event regardless of who is playing.

[iacas]

So much for the "New Era for the PGA Tour"... The Fed Ex Cup was supposed to get guys out more;

No it wasn't. It was supposed to get the top guys to play against each other more. If they have less time to play their 15-18 events, they'll have to play against each other more.

It wasn't to get them to play more, but to play the same amount of times in a smaller length of time (which is like saying "playing a higher percentage of the time").

[gogolfing]

OK , corrected, to get the top guys to play head to head more ,not just more... If I remember correctly, both Phil and Tiger won last year, they are the two top guys, playing in an event to showcase the game's top players. The point of my first post wasn't so much against the Fed Ex Cup, but that players who qualify for these limited field events should be there.

I still watch all the golf I can (btw, Golfworld has an excellent article on their site about the Golf Channel and the upcoming season) but the casual fans, where they need to grow the game, often only tune in when these guys are playing.