Change in PGA cut policy pays off for Pettersson
Good thing for Carl Pettersson that the PGA Tour amended its cut policy two years ago.
Pettersson was among those who put in writing his opposition to the tour's new cut rule at the start of the 2008 season. In an effort to avoid two-tee starts and 51/2-hour rounds on the weekend, the tour changed its policy from the top 70 and ties to the nearest number of players to 70th place whenever more than 78 players made the cut.
It caused so much consternation that someone posted a one-question survey - "Do you agree with the new cut policy?" in the locker room at the Sony Open. There were six signatures under "No," which included Pettersson.
The policy was changed a short time later to include a 54-hole cut when more than 78 players qualified for the weekend. Two years later, that change enabled Pettersson to keep playing at the Canadian Open, where he made the cut on the number Friday, shot 60 on Saturday and closed with a 67 to win on Sunday.
"I would have missed the cut," Pettersson said. "Now they have the Saturday cut instead, which ... I really don't see the point of it. But I guess it helps people get around quicker."
Pettersson still doesn't like the amended rule.
Beem's back, but without his clubs: Rich Beem will return to the PGA Tour at Whistling Straits for the PGA Championship.
He just won't have his golf clubs with him.
Beem, who had back surgery in April, said he will be doing some work for TNT Sports during the PGA Championship, where he also will attend the Champions Dinner. He won at Hazeltine in 2002.
As for his golf? Beem plans to play about three Nationwide Tour events after the PGA Championship to see where his game is. Then, he will have four PGA Tour events in the Fall Series. To play the PGA Tour any sooner would mean forfeiting a major medical extension, which he will use for the 2011 season.
"I've been playing quite a bit," he said Tuesday. "I just haven't been playing very well quite a bit. Each day gets a little better."
Consistent Luke: All of the top 10 players in the world ranking have multiple victories over the last two years - except Luke Donald. So what is the Englishman doing at No. 7 in the world?
It starts with consistency.
Donald's only victory on his two-year ledger came at the end of May against an ordinary field in the Madrid Masters. Still, the Englishman has racked up seven top 3s and 16 finishes in the top 10. Donald seems to be largely forgotten until Sunday, when his name pops up on the leaderboard.
Just don't get the idea he's satisfied with a world ranking.
"I need to win more tournaments," Donald said after closing with a 66 to finish third in the Canadian Open. "Just contending isn't good enough if you want to be the best. You've got to go out there and beat the best continually, which I haven't done in the last few years."