Tiger Woods could miss Doral after dropping out of top 50 rankings PGA.com [AP]

[nevets88]

http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/tiger-woods-could-miss-doral-after-dropping-out-top-50-rankings

And if he doesn't turn his game around quickly, he will be ineligible for a World Golf Championship for only the second time in his career.

Woods was No. 1 in the world eight months ago. But after missing most of last year recovering from back surgery, and playing poorly in the few times he did play, Woods made his 2015 debut in the Phoenix Open at No. 47 in the world. He missed the cut by 12 shots.

[ChrisP]

Something tells me Doral is going to scramble to come up with a new qualifying list fast that states "any champions in the last 3 years get an exemption."

[iacas]

Something tells me Doral is going to scramble to come up with a new qualifying list fast that states "any champions in the last 3 years get an exemption."

To be fair it's almost odd that isn't in there already. Majors give exemptions like that (but longer).

[David in FL]

To be fair it's almost odd that isn't in there already. Majors give exemptions like that (but longer).

I tend to agree. No way they'll change it for this year though. It would just be too evident that it was only to make room for Tiger. Not gonna happen.

[dkolo]

I tend to agree. No way they'll change it for this year though. It would just be too evident that it was only to make room for Tiger. Not gonna happen.

I wouldn't object to them changing it, but maybe their philosophy is that these WGCs are meant to be a snapshot of who's the best right now? Certainly wouldn't make sense in the match play WGC, at the very least.

[Zeph]

I like the format as it is. You take the top 50 players in the world at that moment and see who can win.

Tiger isn't anywhere near the top 50 in results recently, so I don't see why he should be there.

[dkolo]

I like the format as it is. You take the top 50 players in the world at that moment and see who can win. Tiger isn't anywhere near the top 50 in results recently, so I don't see why he should be there.

Yeah, the rankings already factor in past performance by looking back 2 years, so he's already getting a bump that way. That said, I never really viewed these WGCs as anything but a regular event with less unknown guys cluttering up tee times. They don't really do a good job of giving these events a special character or feeling. Outside of the match play, anyway.

[Fourputt]

I like the format as it is. You take the top 50 players in the world at that moment and see who can win.

Tiger isn't anywhere near the top 50 in results recently, so I don't see why he should be there.

Have to agree with this.  The only possible reason is if they think that it would bring more revenue, and that's a prime mover in such decisions.  It won't attract any more actual golfers because we mostly want to see stellar golf, not just names, but the hangers on and fan boys would watch just to see Tiger.  I've always been a fan, but I don't want to watch him playing like he did last week.  Might as well just go down and watch the hackers at the local muni.

[ChrisP]

To be fair it's almost odd that isn't in there already. Majors give exemptions like that (but longer).

Agree. A lot of tournaments give it, too. And I think they're going to have to implement it for Tiger to play because I really don't see him cracking the top-50. I think this struggle he's going through is going to be time consuming. I'd like to think he'll break out of it, but I feel if he does, it's going to be later rather than sooner.

[9iron]

Along these lines, suppose Tiger bombs this year ... how long does he remain exempt?

[jamo]

Along these lines, suppose Tiger bombs this year ... how long does he remain exempt?

He has a lifetime PGA Tour exemption, if that's what you mean.

[9iron]

He has a lifetime PGA Tour exemption, if that's what you mean.

Career money, right? Forgot about that one.

[mvmac]

Career money, right? Forgot about that one.

Tiger is a Life Member. 20 wins and 15 years on tour.

[deason]

Be interesting with this one, what results does he need to get back in?

Someone needs to assess it, if I was number 51 and got leapfrogged how would that feel?

[ChrisP]

Along these lines, suppose Tiger bombs this year ... how long does he remain exempt?

Even in the majors, the only exemption that would run out would be the US Open in 2019. Everything else he's golden for life. The WGC events, the Playoff events and Ryder Cup would be the only events he really needs to play himself into.

[Patch]

If Woody wants to play Doral, he will play Doral.

[tmac20]

If Woody wants to play Doral, he will play Doral.

...Unless he's outside the top 50 in the world. They're not going to let him in just because he's Tiger Woods.

[joekelly]

Doesn't Trump own Doral?  Maybe he has an opinion on TWoods, Trump being a very opinionated  person with money-power and other attributes.