What does Phil want from Finchem?

[Will]

I found it intriguing that Phil would challenge Finchem during the post-round interviews. In searching the web, I've been unable to shed any light on the nature of the dispute. Why would Phil choose to call out Finchem without publicly naming his terms? It will eventually come out, so this little power-play seems somewhat melodramatic.

IMO, if Phil wanted to pressure Finchem, then he should have taken the opportunity to state his position clearly. The way it is now, there's no incentive for Finchem to act. In fact, there's a dis-incentive, now that it looks like Phil is trying to flex his muscles.

(Phil is a great golfer, no question about it. He could be even greater with a more assertive caddie, one who would advise him that with a 4 stroke lead with 6 to play, he should aim for the center of the green.)

So, does anyone know what Phil wants? I would expect something like fewer tournaments, and more points for the playoffs and majors.

[flap]

My quess is the top 10 players in points leading into the first week of playoffs get to skip the Pro am on Wed.for entire playoffs.

[You're Away]

My first thought was that he wants to be able to skip the Pro Am so he can be with his family. Phil's pretty strong-willed and I wouldn't be surprised if he does skip this weeks event. It's not like he needs the $$$.

[J_Bone]

I found it intriguing that Phil would challenge Finchem during the post-round interviews. In searching the web, I've been unable to shed any light on the nature of the dispute. Why would Phil choose to call out Finchem without publicly naming his terms? It will eventually come out, so this little power-play seems somewhat melodramatic.

It's not only Phil, but Tiger had the same issues and Tiger missed the first event. Now, it's not only these two guys as well. The announcer asked Phil the question and he got an honest reply. That is why the players supported Tiger for missing the first event while all the Internet people were whinnying and crying.

It's about how the events are scheduled. It's too demanding with one, maybe two days a week to rest and see there family. Some guys have already dropped out while others will be cut. I don't blame Tiger, Phil or any of the others for doing it.

[Madriver]

what were the comments?

[GoingfortheGreen]

So, does anyone know what Phil wants?

* For other PGA players to like him?

* Ban the SI issue of Least liked golfers from all PGA tour stops? * The # 1 ranking? Just kidding Phil-lovers In all honesty, Phil has become real cryptic-like with his responses of late. He's really started to play some mind games...I guess he skips next week (like Tiger, playing only 3 of 4) and returns to duke it out with Tiger mano-a-mano.

[J_Bone]

* For other PGA players to like him?

HAHAHAHAHAHA.....That's funny, thanks I needed that.

That would be great to see on the last day of the last event and see Phil vs. Tiger in a show down. With it all on the line, who will come out on top!

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

(Phil is a great golfer, no question about it. He could be even greater with a more assertive caddie, one who would advise him that with a 4 stroke lead with 6 to play, he should aim for the center of the green.

Oh, I don't know about that. Bones is a great caddie and pretty damn assertive. Actually, he seems really assertive to me. A lot of players wouldn't like that but he and Phil work very well together. In the end Phil is going to do what Phil wants to do and no caddie is going to talk him out of it.

My first thought was that he wants to be able to skip the Pro Am so he can be with his family. Phil's pretty strong-willed and I wouldn't be surprised if he does skip this weeks event. It's not like he needs the $$$.

Good guess. I don't see why not. If the PGA wants this new playoff system to work they have to work with the players. Otherwise guys are going to skip events. First Tiger, then Els, now maybe Phil. Padraig Harrington is skipping this weeks event (which probably will knock him out of the Tour Championship). 4 weeks in a row is tough, especially with other obligations such as the Pro Am.

[Scratch-Hopeful]

In all honesty, Phil has become real cryptic-like with his responses of late. He's really started to play some mind games...I guess he skips next week (like Tiger, playing only 3 of 4) and returns to duke it out with Tiger mano-a-mano.

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's almost getting kind of annoying that he keeps bringing subjects up but then won't go into details about it when he knows more questions will be asked. Oh and like Cleveland Gunmetal stated, his caddie does do a good job of telling him the safe play, its just he doesn't always use it. Like when Phil went into the "swamp" area yesterday you could hear his caddie telling him something along the lines that it would probably be best to play it safe. Whatever happened beyond that point was on Phil's shoulders.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Well it's official. Mickelson just withdrew from the BMW.

[fluxcapacitor]

Is there a "players union" for golfers like there is for other sports? I would like to think if the players got together and went to the pga and told them what they wanted he'd be more inclined to consider it.

If Phil and Tiger both held out of their respective events in order to be with their families, I cannot commend them enough. I'm just dying to know the reasons behind all this missing tournaments, I wish I could not show up to work because I'm tired and want to be at home with my family...lol

[iacas]

Is there a "players union" for golfers like there is for other sports?

Kind of. There's a Player Advisory Board and some other committees. But players are all independent contractors - they're not bound by contracts or anything, so a typical union really has no place in pro golf.

I would like to think if the players got together and went to the pga and told them what they wanted he'd be more inclined to consider it.

They have the means to do that.

If Phil and Tiger both held out of their respective events in order to be with their families, I cannot commend them enough.

Phil cares so much about spending time with his family he's playing a corporate outing today in Chicago.

I'm just dying to know the reasons behind all this missing tournaments, I wish I could not show up to work because I'm tired and want to be at home with my family...lol

Unlike you, they're not obligated to show up.

Again, the whole "independent contractor" deal.

[putterboy]

Well it's official. Mickelson just withdrew from the BMW.

Here's some details on the withdrawal http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...ck=1&cset;=true

[Shooter McGavin]

I think he just wants to take the weekend off but he avoid some of the grief for skipping. By throwing up the family reason, he looks like a family man and that his reason for skipping the tournament is justified. After the show he and Eldrick put on this weekend, everyone in Chicago would be pissed if he bailed just because he didn't feel like playing. IMO, the family excuse is just a cop out.

[Jeremy517]

I wonder if the real reason for Phil sitting out is so that if he wins the whole Cup, people can't say "Well, you only won because Tiger skipped an event."

I know that the big-name pros usually don't play four weeks in a row, but if Tiger had played all four, would Phil have also?

[Ogg]

Phil and Tiger and Ernie Els have all challenged Finchem saying that 4 weeks in a row of playing golf is too much. Steve Stricker came out and said the same thing. I commend him for speaking up but at the same time why does he have to defend his actions. I know these guys were not consulted on this but there is no obligation for them to show. And I can't say that I feel sorry for any of these guys. Too fatigued? Too much time? C'mon, you are playing golf and you get way more time with your family than me or any other working guy has per year. You also get the pampered treatment for all of these events so please forgive us if we cannot sympathize with any of these guys. As Iacas said, they always find ways to play in corporate outing or to travel to Dubai or China when it suits them.

[gripitandripit]

Several players have complained about the $10 million prize being awarded as a deferred retirement deposit instead of an instant payday. I'm not sure how much of a gripe it is, but both Tiger and Phil have mentioned it to the media.

[gogolfing]

I agree it's their decision to play or not, but I don't feel sorry for them with 4 tournaments in a row. After East Lake, the top guys may play one or two silly season events, and over the last few years some of the top guys have even skipped the Mercedes and just started playing the Hope or in San Diego. Give me a break, four weeks, and then pretty much 3 or months off. Not a bad gig.
When Phil won and he called out Finchem, I think he was using a forum that was presented; he had no intention to play this weekend even if he hadn't won IMO.
Ernie's press conference two days ago shed light on it too when he said he feels the Commissioner's office had become too distanced from the players.

On the same day Tiger said he thought it would be cool if they had the $10 million sitting in a case on the first tee at East Lake (like the World Series of Poker) instead of an annuity. A reality check maybe?