I used to think the best job in pro sports was being a mediocre, starting pitcher in the Major Leagues.

Let’s say you’re one of those guys who goes 15-12 in any given year. Not a superstar, obviously, just a solid starter. You’re highly valued by ownership because you’re giving them 15 wins a year. But, there isn’t that much pressure on you because you’re not a superstar.

Just go to work every fourth or fifth day, and win your 15 games. Cash your obscene paycheck. Play golf.

Now I’m not so sure. Pro golfers may have the best gig. Consider that the PGA Tour requires you to enter only 15 of the season’s 44 tournaments.

That’s how many Tiger Woods played last year. And still earned – what? – Eleventy billion?

It’s why so often you tune into a televised golf tournament and are sorely disappointed when you don’t see Woods going against Phil Mickelson going against Ernie Els going against Jim Furyk.

Instead, you see Daniel Chopra battling it out mano a mano with K.J. Choi.

Does Tiger owe it to the Tour to play in more tournaments to boost the overall TV ratings? No, not really. He’s already boosted purses enormously.

There have been dozens of suggestions to remedy the problem, none of which would work for various reasons. I think the only way to deal with it is to informally go to the top players in the world and ask them to commit to four or five non-majors a year. On a rotating basis.

Or have a rule that says each player must play every tournament on the schedule at least once every four or five years. That way, the gang at the top couldn’t help but run into each other every now and then.

That’s more than we’re getting now.

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