by NEF
The PGA is purposely created to be a forum for individual, INDEPENDENT, contractors to compete when, where and as they please. The constestants are not owned or beholden to any team, owner, contract, course, city or tournament. They pay their own way, they are not subsidized by the TOUR and go home broke and hungry if they cannot adequately perform that week or any given week. To allege that Tiger "owes" the TOUR or any tournament his cachet or support is absurd.
Commentators such as you are the first to devry Tiger's "slump" and then jump on his bandwagon when he shows that he knew what he was doing all along. Tiger rescued the TOUR from the doldrums created by Phil, Vijay, Davis, et al. Tiger brought an energy, drive, grace and charisma to the TOUR unknown since the early days of Jack Nicklaus. The money that Tiger has generated for all professional golfers lifted the game from the level of "Bowling for Dollars" to the giant it is today. Instead of cavailing that Tiger does too little for the TOUR and basically secondary tournaments, you should be thankful that he still has the desire to play as many events as he does. Money rules. He created the golden pot and has earned the right to decide where he will cast his largesse.
Go talk to Phil and the supporting cast he leads. They should rush to emulate Tiger and try to bolster the TOUR. Instead they ride on Tiger's coattails and secretly rejoice when he is not there to demonstrate the difference of his level of professionalism. Tiger is not more naturally talented than others. What he has is ultimate focus, willpower and dedication. The world recognizes that and applauds that Tiger is not like other sports "heros". He is clean and gives back as much as he gets. Tiger does not have any obligation to appear everywhere like a circus dog. He is a master of his craft and with that comes the right to choose his venues.

by Art
Please... give me a break...Just because Tiger happens to be the best golfer in the world he becomes an easy target for the likes of you. Unless and until "the Phil" and all the other wannabees get their game together on a more consistent basis this is the way the universe will unfold. When Jack and Arnie were the dominant players the PGA still drew even if they were not playing that week. What you are really complaining about are the T.V ratings that bottom out if Tiger is not playing. That's why I and millions of other golfers don't watch golf on T.V unless Tiger is playing, because who wants to watch mediocrity after you have watch the best year after year.
Have you checked the leader boards lately "where is North America"?

by Chuck Collet
My God golfers are a really dim bunch in general. No wonder it is the most "cheated" game in the recreational sports world" Next someone will be complaining that on the "8th." Day, God created Tiger... Mr Woods, doesn't, doesn't, doesn't have to play a single tournament in his life.. Does everyone forget that "HE" made golf the winfall wonder that it is today... The tour officials didn't do anything to enhance their position in popularity, a young kid came out at The Masters and blew away everything every golf junkie held as views on who could play the game and how it could be played.. Mr. Woods has a JOB, you heard me, a JOB.. The only difference is that his work schedule is up to him. He can play if he wants to, or stay home with his wife and baby. He owes the game of golf nothing, he created the "golly, golly, look at the size of that cheque" for every player on the tour.. They should be sending him letters of thanks every time he doesn't play so they might have a chance to grab the big dough.. Just try telling your Plumber, Electrician or Contracter, when he has to work and when he doesn't and you'll be sitting in a cold bathtub or the dark... I applaud Mr. Woods remaining his own man, not to be used at the discretion of the PGA Tour or anybody else as a pawn to make a buck or to draw a bigger crowd. He owes them "or us fans", nothing, nothing, nothing.. Get your heads on straight and remember that, NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING.. Chuck Collet, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia.

by E. Terry Mansfield
Finally someone speaks their mind. Tiger is just too fat($$$). He does a few special events(Charity)and he thinks that will do it. Not playing in touraments hurts them. You think Arnie would give up a tournament for money sake-Hell no!!!. Arnie played to make a living. Tiger living is set so he can "dictate" which tournaments he will play. Good old Tiger forgets one thing. Golf made Tiger. Tiger did not make golf. If it weren't for Golf Tiger might be hired to clean some rich guys yacht. So when you cheer Tiger on think about what he has done in the recent weeks. Like cut out a tournament that might hurt their gross $$$ amount for their charities. This is his only selfish style. Tiger has hurt golf this way any no one has the guts to mentiom it. WHY???? To ofend him!!! I just did its easy so did it media.

by NEF
Are you sure that you cleaned your sheets after the last Klan meeting ? Do you simply envy someone who has dedicated himself to perfecting his abilities in his chosen vocation or is it merely envy ?
Golfers travel away from home and family for one thing - to make a living. A journeyman plays every tournament he can reach because he needs to. Part of the reward for attaining master status is the ability to decide on the best venues to contest with others. Regardless of the sport, each participant jockeys for the "home field advantage" or at worst a neutral field that acomodates the contestant's strengths. Golf is no different. Some courses lay out better for one player's game than another. Every professional golfer who can afford to do so chooses the tournament sites that enhance their chances. Tiger is no different, only more fortunate to have earned a greater latitiude of choice.

by Chuck Collet
"He might be hired to clean some rich guys yacht"??? You some two toothed backwoods redneck from the deep south Lad. A little too close to smaking of a good dose of bigotry on your part.. Mr. Woods has a great education and there is a good chance he has forgotten more about the lessons of LIFE than you will ever know.. Wake up, shake your head and don't open your mouth and just let the crap fall out...Chuck Collet, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia...

by michael burrell
Nothing has changed, nice remarks, Tiger, like a robber with gun! Tiger can do what Tiger wants, because he has earned THE RIGHT. Have you earned the right, to sell hate of Tiger,to write your story, to make a your check!!!!!!! money!!!!!!!!!

by Don Watson
The media has to get off it. They are creating a ton of potential ill will toward Tiger who, despite what Brian Gummble, the fat guy on the 19th hole show and the rest of the fawning throngs of silly fans are saying, is not bigger than the game of golf for which I hope Tiger is eternally greatfull too. His record is unbelieveable but this great game will survive and thrive with or without him.
So let's all start focusing on who does come to play in each tournement and enjoy all the other thingss and people involved.

by Tom
It appears that Tiger is losing fans as his "I'll play when I want" attitude has alienated some of the working class. His performance against Nick Ohern was not very proffesional. He appeared to be intentionally distracting Mr. Ohern by practice swinging as Ohern line up putts and was not much of a sport by having Ohern putt on numerous occasions when a easy two putt was needed for the hole. Why doesn,t he come back to Milwaukee the tournament that was his start?

by Lee Pratt
I've been a disgusted Tiger "Fan" for some time (actually when he dissed kids for wanting his autograph and when he played the Buick Open pro-am from a golf cart and ignored his team-mates). I think Tiger needs to feel wanted, not expected. He is Tiger Woods, after-all. He shouldn't be expected to play every event, only those he thinks he can win so he can continue to set records. After all, records, to him, are the only important thing. He doesn't golf for money; he makes enough each year from endorsements and fees. Oops! I think his string of victories was just upset. I guess he will just have to start over. But the commentators said what a great job he did to get seven (7) victories in a row. Oh, yes! He is the greatest! Just ask him! I would really love to see some of these young players put him in his place, and not allow him to win another tournament, let alone a major. I don't think he deserves to match Jack in major victories. He's such a jerk!

by acondon
No doubt Tiger is a great golfer,,But the way the PGA caters to him is distracting...It bothers me that he
has that much influence.....If they are not showing his shots,they show previous shots from earlier venues,
then they run Tiger commercials,,Enough
is enough,,,I would like to simply see
more golf action and coverage of the other players,,,,,,I am thinking of
only watching the Champions Tour and the LPGA and the Masters,,,,,,NOW THERE
IS AN IDEA................

by Bob
Get in the reall world. Tiger only cares about 1 thing.......TIGER....

by Dick Rocchio
I gave up baseball, football and basketball when they ceased being a sport and became a money game. Because of the greed of players and the USGA golf is heading in the same direction. Tiger Woods is a great golfer but the hype has damaged golf as a sport. It's sad that the golf pundits are afraid to speak the truth.

by Lester Hinson
Well, Dick, isn't that kind of what Baldwin did here, speak the truth? And "golf fans," by and large, are blasting him for it. No wonder most golf media hacks just fall in lock step with whatever the PGA Tour and manufacturer power brokers want -- that's what most fans expect. You'd think rocking the boat with a little truth-telling is like peeing on the grave of Walter Hagen or something.

by Bill Hogue
John is absolutely spot-on. PGA players are independent contractors and should be able to choose when and where they want to compete from week-to-week. Instead of the PGA trying to ride the Tiger train week after week they should be trying to figure out how to promote tournament interest in other tour players. I thought the Accenture event provided outstanding entertainment on Saturday and Sunday and I am hoping both players in the final twosome will come to the Memorial Tournament this year.