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I Wonder..

© Bill Howard

The PGA Tour is now in the process of getting up to full speed for the 2001 season. Soon the match play and limited field events will be over. At that point, we can look forward to real tournaments until the International's "Modified Stableford" debacle later this summer.

If memory serves, it was at this time last year that I used this space to make several bold and erroneous predictions. In an effort to save myself any further embarrassment, I will refrain from doing so again this year.

Instead, I'll share some questions I have about the way things might unfold on the Tour this year. Just some things that have been on my mind for the week or two that the PGA Tour has been on hiatus.

As I look forward to what may happen on the 2001 PGA Tour, I wonder:

If Tiger will keep the blonde hair? Probably not, but I hope he does. It gives him a sort of Rodmanesque appearance. This is no doubt very bad from an endorsement contract standpoint. But it gives me hope that some real bizarre and erratic behavior might be on the horizon. If the Tour is going to be spiced up, Tiger will have to be the one to do it. Hey, I can hope, can't I?

If David Duval relocates his estimable game now that he has a new apparel contract? It's probably too simplistic to blame those goofy shirts for his inexplicable decline. On the other hand, you have a lucky golf shirt don't you?

If the general public is aware that Tiger is almost an even money bet to lead the PGA Tour Money List at year's end? The next shortest odds are on Mr. Mickelson and Mr. Duval at 11-1. There is even the option of betting the Money List results without Tiger. Is he that much better? Yes.

If Tom Lehman will finally have the breakout year he so richly deserves? He possesses a painfully solid game and the respect of his peers. Maybe this year.

If Tiger will take his ball and go home? Woods' simmering feud with Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem could go one of two ways. Option 1: Tiger gets what he wants, more control of how the Tour and its events use him in their promotional efforts. Option 2: Finchem and the Tour resent being bullied and dig in their heels. Tiger gets mad and plays the European Tour for the rest of the year. That should throw the Order of Merit betting all out of whack.