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Godzillawoods

© Bill Howard

I haven't written about Mr. Woods in a while. Now seems as good a time as any to start again. This may seem odd since the PGA Tour season is over and done with and Tiger is off plying his trade in exotic foreign lands. But there is a reason.

Mr. Woods recently complained to the media that he had a number of issues with the PGA Tour and its commissioner, Mr. Finchem. According to my understanding of the facts, Tiger is unhappy with the way his name and image are used for marketing by the Tour in general and event sponsors in particular. He also doesn't feel he has a close relationship with the Commissioner.

Last item first. There was a time when the job description of Commissioner of the PGA Tour was simply to insure the continued growth and success of the Tour and,by extension, those playing it. Ah, the good old days. No more. Mr. Finchem must now view everything through the lens of how it affects Tiger, both emotionally and financially.

Nobody cares if their relationship is good, bad, or indifferent. Yes, Mr. Finchem will have to call Tiger on occasion to beg his help in supporting lesser Tour events by participating in them. It is his job. Those lesser Tour events are the life blood of struggling Tour players. Many break through for their first wins in this type event. These events can't exist without occasional help from Tour superstars. Most are happy to help out when they can.

Could it be that since Tiger never struggled, he doesn't understand why Finchem would put so much effort into getting him to play a few of these tournaments? Probably.

See, it just makes sense. The healthier the PGA Tour is, the better Tiger, Inc. will do. He helps make the game healthier by occasionally playing in a Tour backwater. In my opinion he should just quit whining about his poor relationship with the Commissioner. If he cares to be involved in only big money, glamor events, fine. But don't publicly chastise Finchem for doing his job.

Now for the other thing, the control issue. Control of the use of his name, likeness, and image. Actually this is an old superstar vs. Tour argument. Palmer, Nicklaus, and Norman have all made this noise prior to Tiger. They all eventually saw the light.

Seems Tiger gets upset because events and sponsors use his likeness and/or name to promote their tournaments. Apparently some of them are considered competitors by companies with which Mr. Woods has endorsement contracts. My opinion is that he has too many contracts if that's the case.