No one needed Tiger Woods’ back-to-back 76s at Winged Foot more than the imbeciles at PGA Tour headquarters. You can bet Tim Finchem let loose with a cartwheel or two. (If white guys in suits can cartwheel).

For if Woods hadn’t imploded in the U.S. Open, any credibility left with the PGA Tour’s schedule would have been blown away. If Woods had been able to contend in the U.S. Open after having not played in a single tournament in more than two months, Finchem could have effectively kissed his Tour goodbye. Or at least introduced it to its new compatriot: Arena Football.

No matter how many silly NASCAR copied playoff systems he came up with.

Let’s face it, golf has held little relevance outside the four majors for years now. Tiger treats the other tournaments like minor annoyances at best, equivalent to appointments with a low-rung business associate he may choose to occasionally keep.

And if golf only matters four times a year to the world’s top players, why should the average sports fan pay any more attention?

Woods’ frustrating run through Winged Foot is a small victory - but a victory nonetheless - for the rest of the Tour’s schedule. It turns out even Tiger needs to tee it up now and then to stay sharp.

Finchem can breathe a sigh of relief. For a moment.

Country club salads for everyone!

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