Tim Finchem Talks Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

Before Dustin Johnson hoisted the trophy, Tim Finchem was the center of attention at Doral. The PGA Tour commissioner took the mic for about forty-five minutes for an impromptu state of the union address to give us an update on Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy’s club throw and everything else. Finchem has always been as honest and forthright as he can be. Any commissioner will give you partial answers, that’s just the way it is. On the other hand at least Finchem won’t waste your time for an hour like Roger Goodell.

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Take the situation with Tiger Woods, and the tour not having its most recognizable player on the course each week. First of all he was never that much of a regular to begin with. His schedule has been light for over ten years and only recently did he add new events like The Honda. For years Tiger has set up his schedule to try and give him the best chance to win majors. Other than courses he’s been very successful on there’s no rhyme or reason to any of it.

"Finchem said “We’re very familiar with his focus to do everything he needs to do scheduling wise to win, but I don’t know what the answer to that is.”"

Was there a little bitterness at the end of that sentence? It’s tough to tell because of the serious manner Finchem speak’s with most of the time, but obviously he wishes Tiger would play more, we all do. Even when he was healthy the guy just wasn’t out there nearly as much as some other players were. We got used to it, and accepted the fact that Tiger wasn’t going to play this tournament and that tournament, and recently we’ve gotten used to him not playing at all. There will come a time when he will be gone for good.

"“The bad part is he’s your number one player and the player fans want to watch play more than any other, and I think that (desire) will last a long time” Finchem said. On the other hand sooner or later it’s going to happen…We need other stars to develop and they will do that more with Tiger not dominating tournament coverage and television coverage.”"

Now that Tiger can’t dominate the television coverage we’ve turned to watching every move McIlroy makes. The world’s number one player is the featured guy each and every time he tees it up. Whether he’s dominating, struggling to make the cut or throwing clubs into ponds, it’s all Rory all the time. With Tiger on hiatus Finchem knows that for now it’s all about McIlroy.

"“He’s the number one player in the world so when he does pretty much anything on the golf course he’s gonna get a lot of attention especially when it’s something out of the norm…I thought it sounded like a player who lost his temper and threw a club. As Rory himself said it’s not the right thing to do on the golf course and I’m glad he said that”"

What makes Tim Finchem a great commissioner is the fact that he continues to make the tour a profitable entity, and that’s his job. It’s not an easy position to hold because you are often criticized more than praised and that’s just the nature of the beast. This guy just loves the game and makes decisions that are best for the players, fans and sponsors. Unlike Goodell it’s not all about the mighty dollar. Finchem’s guidance will help grow the game so next time he sits down and talks you may want to listen.

All quotes from PGATour.com

Next: Could this be Dustin Johnson's Year?

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