Tiger Woods' FedExCup miss might benefit him long-term, says Ewen Murray
Tuesday 15 September 2015 13:49, UK
With the four majors beyond us in 2015, we now turn our attention to the finales of the US PGA Tour and the European Tour.
First up, America, as the season-ending FedExCup play-offs get underway at The Barclays by the Eastern seaboard.
With Rory McIlroy fit again, he and the in-form Jordan Spieth - along with the new US PGA champion Jason Day - headline a stellar field for the play-offs.
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There is barely a golfer in the world that won't be interested to see who can stand alone at the top of the rankings after the four events that visit New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta.
With Rory deciding to sit out the first event at Plainfield Country Club, Spieth has a chance to increase his lead at the top of the world rankings but, by strange coincidence, Jordan will relinquish his status as World No 1, should he finish outside the top 14 at The Barclays.
Also playing are the World No 4 Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson and May's Players Championship winner Rickie Fowler. These rankings could change considerably over the next five weeks.
Break could suit Tiger
For the first time, on merit, Tiger Woods will not participate in the play-offs. In his last chance to join the 125 that begin the series, he came up shy at last week's Wyndham event after contending at the top end of the leaderboard for four days.
His (Woods') pride will be hurt by his performances throughout the season, but this period away from the game might just be his saviour.
No player wants to miss this time of the year, but he may look back in a few months time and think not qualifying was a blessing in disguise.
It gives him time to work at his game away from the limelight, do the things he feels he needs to do to enable him to come back stronger and, of course, get the opportunity to play elsewhere, something he's has not been shy of doing throughout his career.
Last week in North Carolina, Woods confirmed his nerves are close to being fully repaired. His desire and heart for the fight have never been in question, but his game still lacks sound basic fundamentals.
If he can address these issues, he will return to a more natural way of playing which, in turn, will be familiar to him.
When the time arrives and Tiger takes to the first tee thinking only of playing golf and scoring, he will remember quickly how winning is achieved.
No matter how good the golfer is, being 100% swing conscious when trying to compete is a poor combination. His
pride will be hurt by his performances throughout the season, but this period away from the game might just be his saviour.
Love's Wyndham whirl
While on the subject of the Wyndham, what a superb victory for current American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love in his home state of North Carolina.
Davis is the consummate professional and his longevity is down to dedication, some hard work and a calmness he has been blessed with.
His late father was one of golf's most respected professionals. In 1988, Davis Love Jr. perished in a plane crash at much too young an age. I've said this before in a previous column - if you enjoy golf books, get a hold of Davis's book, 'Every Shot I Take'. It's a superb read. It's a tribute to his father, his teachings, their relationship and his story from a young age.
European events enticing
While the PGA Tour get ready for their £40m extravaganza, the European Tour enters its final quarter of 2015. After this week's event in the Czech Republic, the Ryder Cup points system begins in Russia.
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Every player who harbours dreams of playing in the biennial event wants to get off to a flier. There are some excellent opportunities coming up before the close of the 2015 year - in Holland, Portugal, Italy and at the lucrative Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
From Germany, the European Open is back on the calendar as is the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports. Get a good run in these events followed by the riches on offer in the Final Series, and the job can be more than half done by the end of November.
Last week, the European Tour announced its strong ties with the Asian Tour will continue well into the future, all of which is good news for Asia's young players who are developing at an impressive rate.
It ensures they play alongside our best players and compete for healthy purses. It also confirms a full schedule for our players in the years ahead. The co-sanctioned tournaments are important as they supplement those in Europe and are played when it is not possible to play within our shores.
The Tours' new chief executive, Keith Pelley, has wasted no time in extending this partnership, which delivers a promising future for all concerned.
Solheim special
Also this week, the European Solheim Cup captain, Carin Koch, announced her full team to face the Americans at St. Leon Rot, next month.
One of her four 'wild card' picks was the evergreen Catriona Matthew, who will play in her eighth Solheim. Affectionately known as 'Beany', Catriona has enjoyed, and still is enjoying, a glorious career. With some young and talented players in Karin's side, who better than Matthew to nurse and guide them through the week in Germany?
Having been privileged to cover Europe's record win in Denver two years ago, I wish them well for what has become a hugely anticipated week on the golfing calendar.
The Walker Cup is all but upon us and the amateur game is enjoying a grand spell. Ireland continues to unearth some fine talent with no fewer than five Irish players in the GB&I side. For those going to Royal Lytham and St. Anne's, you could well be in for a golfing treat.
So we have to wait eight months for the next major but, as mentioned, there is so much to look forward to before then and you can see all of it across our channels in the coming months.
I'll be back with you in a few weeks time. In the meantime, enjoy the action from around the globe.
Watch the D+D REAL Czech Masters and The Barclays live throughout the week on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
