PGA Tour players at the FedEx Cup should follow Tiger's lead and not compete so much

I know Barclays and the PGA Tour are feeling slighted this week as Tiger Woods ditches the inaugural event of the FedEx Cup, making it just another second-tier tournament on the schedule Tiger won’t compete in, so he can sail his yacht or sky dive or whatever a young bazillionaire does on an off week.

Of course, the most insulting thing about Tiger’s WD is that he’ll probably still win the FedEx Cup despite missing the first event. Maybe in 2008, if the FedEx Cup is still around, he’ll try to win after withdrawing from the first two.

But before anyone points more fingers at Tiger for trivializing what is trying to be golf’s Stanley Cup, we should point the finger elsewhere…like the rest of the players on the PGA Tour.

Tiger says he’s too tired after dazzling the golf world at the WGC at Bridgestone and the PGA Championship. Believe it or not, but pummeling the field by eight shots at the WGC, then out-sweating the field in the 110-degree heat in Tulsa is draining.

And Tiger is probably the most in-shape player on tour. He recently released rigorous details of his training program that probably made Lance Armstrong nod approvingly. He’s also one of the few on tour who could pull off one of those skin-tight “mock tech” shirts.

Every time Tiger shows up to an event, he is expected to be electric - and win. The same is not expected of other players, who play in nearly twice as many events.

Tiger has played in 13 PGA Tour events. Most of these tour pros have played over 20. Vijay Singh has played in 23, Craig Kanada 25.

So if Tiger is tired, what does that say about the other guys (older, smaller or lumpier than Tiger) who are playing 20-30 events or more each year? They’re probably exhausted and going through the motions. They certainly aren’t giving each tournament the kind of attention Tiger is - which in the end hurts the overall product.

So perhaps there should be some kind of tournament limit imposed. Tour players can’t in play more than 18-20 events each year, which would give them more rest, resulting in a fresher golfer and hopefully more spirited competition. It would also shrink fields a little. Is it me, or do 144-156 players in a non-major tournament seem excessive?

I’m siding with Tiger on this one, and I hope it’s smooth sailing or a quiet baby at night, wherever he is. Instead of all of us asking what we need to do in order to get Tiger in more tournaments, we should tell other players to quit being greedy and only compete when they think they can win - not just make a paycheck.

Be sure to check in on all the Barclays action sans Tiger Woods at WorldGolf.com, as Chris Baldwin will be on site, rain or shine.