"Let me get this straight. I just shot 65 on Sunday to win by three shots, while Tiger shot 69. But he gets $10 million and I get $1 million. No, he he he, I'm just joking."

That was Phil Mickelson's response (paraphrased) to a post-round query of his thoughts on the FedEx Cup. Pretty funny, the way he pointed out the absurdity of the whole playoff system. I'm all for a playoff-style event but the only way the general public will consider this a true playoff is if two things happen: 1) Whoever is in first place has a chance of getting knocked out in every round - you know, like every other playoff in the sporting world - and 2) the winner of the championship round is crowned champion.

This parallel point-system has many flaws. It is fine for determining the field for the playoffs themselves. Of course, the money list would do the job just as well. But the point system must be reset to zero at the beginning of the playoffs if not discarded altogether. No team in professional sports starts the elimination process with a handicapped lead. And you don't get one as the playoffs progress either. Could you imagine the winner of the Kentucky Derby starting the Preakness with a head start on the field? Of course not, because that would be ridiculous.

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