Tiger copping out of Nissan?

[GoingfortheGreen]

According to ESPN.com, Tiger's website lists his next event as the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

From the article, "Woods first played in the Nissan Open in 1992, when it was still called the Los Angeles Open, receiving a sponsor's exemption as a 16-year-old amateur."

Is this a cop-out by Tiger given that he has never won at the Nissan? He's been noncommittal so far in terms of whether he's playing. It does seem a little lame that "because of the streak", he now stays away from an event that is "normally" on his schedule.

Yes, I know he's an independent contractor on the Tour, and can play when and where he chooses. I guess the streak is pretty damn important to him...

[ipark1303]

That's lame.... if he really does it, then the streak cannot be validated!

I am a Tiger fan, but if Tiger does that, I will be very disappointed.

Then, why does not he go to play smaller tournaments and win 20 in a row???

Let's see what happens....

[EatDrinkSleepGolf]

Maybe he's not playing cause one of his major endorsements is Buick ?

[GoingfortheGreen]

I don't think so - he's never won there, and personally I think he would rather not risk the streak on a course he's never won on. If Buick had an issue, they would have said something 10 years ago when Tiger turned pro.

[Bo the Golfer]

I really don't believe Tiger thinks of his streak when setting his schedule. He plays 18-20 times a year and they are all the toughest tournaments with the strongest fields. Skipping the Nissan does invite questioning as he has never won there but I'd like to think it is more of an issue of decompressing from the trip back from the Middle East than if he can continue his streak or not.

[GoingfortheGreen]

Really? The Middle East trip hasn't bothered him the last few years. His reported appearance fee at the Dubai Desert Classic is $3 million, win or lose.

[iacas]

Really? The Middle East trip hasn't bothered him the last few years. His reported appearance fee at the Dubai Desert Classic is $3 million, win or lose.

He hasn't stayed over for an extra week to oversee the building of a golf course before.

Put it this way: Jeff and I talked about it last week (I think) on the podcast. Tiger has never shied away from competition. I said on the podcast it's fishy he won't be attending, but I didn't know he was staying in Dubai an extra week to look over his golf course, then, either. He won't even be back in the U.S. until this Sunday. It's a long flight and I can't blame him for not wanting to compete right away. He believes very much in competing at full strength.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Hi

i don't think that Tiger will play at the Nissan-he had a very heavy schedule last year, he's miles ahead in the world rankings with no challenger.It wouldn't bother me if he gave the tourney a miss-i prefer to see him with all guns blazing, not on his c game. He's on a plateau now, and as has already been said, he can virtually do what he wants when he wants.

Id go as far to say that even if he didn't play until the Masters he would still go ahead and win the event without breaking in to a sweat.

bb69

[GoingfortheGreen]

He hasn't stayed over for an extra week to oversee the building of a golf course before.

Erik: I did not know about the extra week in Dubai. That changes things 'a little'. I think it's still a convenient way to avoid an event you've never won (although he has a few Top 10s), and still keep the streak intact.

BTW, the $25 million for the golf course design must be a new designing fee record by a mile.

[mybloodinvt]

i don't think the "streak" is an issue. there is no streak, tiger has admitted as much. i don't think anyone besides tiger and those very close to him know anything about his schedule. if you think about the number of tournaments he will definitely play in, majors, wgc, bay hill, memorial, byron nelson, western, players, etc., and the tournaments he is committed to through sponsership deals, buick (2), and deutschebank, etc., and the maximum number of tournaments he will play in a season (18-20), it leaves about 2-4 open weekends to play other tournaments. unfortuantely, pebble and nissan are on the outs this year. that does not mean he won't appear next year. he is not running away from anyone and he doesn't need us to approve his schedule.

[ezmoney5150]

That's lame.... if he really does it, then the streak cannot be validated!

I don't think that it invalidates it. I think he has a chance to win any tournament he plays in. The man can't play in every tournament that comes up. Talk about being tired.

The match play isn't his best tournament either and I think he'll play in that.

[ipark1303]

Let's say that Tiger comes back in the match play and he wins...(so 8th win)

And he wins other 3-4 tournaments in a row.... are we going to talk about the "Tiger Streak"?

[ezmoney5150]

Let's say that Tiger comes back in the match play and he wins...(so 8th win)

Uh?? Yes. He's not playing stiffs out there. This is the PGA tour. The best of the best.

Do I think he'll make it past the Match Play? No. Match play is the purest of pure. he can only win one hole at a time.

[flap]

I'm looking on the brite side Phill has commited to playing at Rivera when it was not on his schedule.I know all you phill bashers will say "sure now that Tiger is out he comes out"Don't care get to see Phill against #2-8 in world and thats no cream puff field.

[iacas]

I'm looking on the brite side Phill has commited to playing at Rivera when it was not on his schedule.I know all you phill bashers will say "sure now that Tiger is out he comes out"Don't care get to see Phill against #2-8 in world and thats no cream puff field.

Phil's on a streak now. He should enter every event he can when he's on a streak, since he's as streaky as they come.

[Thrash13]

I was disappointed when I first heard Tiger wasn't playing at The Nissan Open because of all the other top-10 golfers in the field. It would have been close to a major-like atmosphere at Riviera.

After hearing about Tiger staying an extra week in Dubai, I completely understand his thought process. I don't disrespect his decision at all.

Tiger isn't one to shy away from a challenge, and if anything, Tiger probably wants to win The Nissan Open more than any other tourney other than a major since he has gone winless in the event.

[Hogan Fan]

No, Tiger is not copping out. He is fortunate enough to play the schedule he wants and still have the personal time he needs to be with family and be involved in business ventures and personal projects that fulfill his personal happiness.
He can play a third of the events that most will play and still walk away with a shiny Fedex Cup throphy and a cool $10 million.
He has the best of both worlds!

[Hogan Fan]

Well now, I heard on a national radio sports program last night that Tiger skipped the Nissan so he could attend Michael Jordon's NBA all-star party in Vegas this weekend.