THE PLAYERS Player Rankings

THE PLAYERS Championship is a rare example of an event that did not evolve organically, but which was created purely to serve a corporate bottom line, but which nonetheless has become a legitimate top-tier institution to rival the old line Majors. Indeed, the PGA TOUR would love to have the event considered a Major. Trouble is, there is no organization that officially declares what is and is not a Major. That is decided based on media and popular consensus. However, given the event's $8 million purse, top of the line field, spectacular course, and new spot on the calendar in May between the Masters and U.S. Open, I predict the event will become considered as a de facto fifth Major in the next five to ten years. This would especially be the case if the European Tour makes the event an official stop on its tour as it does with the Masters and the U.S. Open. This may be unlikely given the event is owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, but the Open Championship is a stop on the U.S. Tour and it's owned and operated by the R&A. Then again, that would make 4 out of 5 U.S. Major, and the Eurotrash probably wouldn't like that. But F them...

Turning now to my player ranking in the Commish's absence...It's a top of the line field and everyone should be breaking out the big guns this week:

1) Tiger Woods
2) Stuart Appleby
3) Jerry Kelly
4) Vijay Singh
5) Adam Scott
6) Henrik Stenson
7) Geoff Ogilvy
8) Phil Mickelson
9) Fred Funk
10) Luke Donald
11) Trevor Immelman
12) Ian Poulter
13) Anthony Kim
14) Mark Calcavecchia
15) Tim Clark
16) Rory Sabbatini
17) Stephen Ames
18) Ernie Els
19) Rod Pampling
20) Steve Stricker
21) Sergio Garcia
22) Vaughn Taylor
23) Zach Johnson
24) Jim Furyk
25) Charles Howell III

BUSTS: Brett Wetterich, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Kent Jones, D.J. Trahan, Jeff Sluman, Jose Coceres, Chris Couch, Joey Sindelar.

Turning now to the FGA's favorite "lady friend"...
Question of the Week: Rachel McAdams blonde or brunette?

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