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Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr
There's a bit more to it than a regular working person taking another job. These people have a legacy to think about. They're not going to be allowed to play in The Players or other PGA Tour events that are historically significant. Their OWGR is going to suffer because they are not going to get anywhere near the points for winning, what can only be classified as a minor league event compared to a PGA Tour event. Some have already lost sponsorship money and I'm sure that more will as time goes on.
Many of these players want to be looked at in terms of their place in history. That place is going to be diminished by playing 8 events against a weak field.
If I'm not mistaken, these players are not going to be allowed to play on The PGA Tour Champions when they hit 50.
While I certainly understand people like Phil, Sergio, Charl Schwartzel, Lee Westwood and others who are in the twilight of their career, going this way, I'm surprised at Dustin Johnson, DeChambeau and a few others who are still competitive on the PGA Tour.
Most great athletes want to compete against the best in the world. That can only be done on the PGA Tour. It's like these guys have gone from playing Major League Baseball to AAA. Of course they have the chance to make more money and some have guaranteed money before they tee it up. So I guess we're seeing what's important to different people.
Tiger was offered a boatload of money and indicated that his place in history and how he is viewed is more important to him.
There is also a good chance that this tour will fold after a few years. (Remember the USFL and the World Hockey League?) What do these guys do then?
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Have you considered that many of these players don't want to be playing competitive golf when they turn 50? Or even 40?
Dustin Johnson indicated that this was going to give him a chance to do something else with his life besides play golf.
How many of the Champions Tour players wake up on a Tuesday or Wednesday relishing the long plane flight to the next event where they will live out of a suitcase for the next 5 days?
That's gotta be a grind.