Golf Notes December 18

Already one of the most pressure-packed events in golf, the PGA Tour qualifying tournament figures to be even more intense next year when there are fewer cards to hand out at the end of the week.

In a change designed to reward nine good months more than six good days, the PGA Tour is taking away five cards from Q-School and giving those spots to the Nationwide Tour.

Previously, only the top 15 from the developmental tour money list earned their exempt cards on the PGA Tour. That will increase to the top 20 for the 2003 season.

Only the top 30 and ties -- instead of the top 35 -- will advance from Q-School.

``There is a higher overall level of consistency displayed by those who have gone through the Nationwide Tour for a year, in terms of their ability to secure their cards,'' PGA Tour spokesman Bob Combs said.

The numbers back that up.

Ten of the 36 players (28 percent) who came out of Q-School last year finished in the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list and retained their cards. Seven of the top 15 players (47 percent) from the Nationwide Tour kept their cards.

The trend is even more notable over the last 12 years.

According to data kept by the PGA Tour, 43 percent of all Nationwide Tour graduates finished in the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list the following year, compared with 27 percent of Q-School grads.

That's not to suggest Q-School grads don't stand a chance.

This year's class was particularly strong, with four tournament winners -- Bob Burns, Paul Tataurangi, Luke Donald and Ian Leggatt -- and two others (Pat Perez, Peter Lonard) who finished in the top 50 on the money list.

ELEMENTARY, WATSON: Colin Montgomerie has found a positive spin for why he has never won an official tournament in the United States.

``I'm still behind Tom Watson in the number of tournaments he played before he won,'' Montgomerie said. ``And he wasn't too bad.''

Indeed, Watson played in 88 tournaments in the United States before his first PGA Tour victory. Montgomerie has played in 74 official tournaments in America.

Monty won a record seven consecutive money titles on the European Tour, and one can only suspect he would have won on the PGA Tour had he ever spent a full season in the United States, like Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer or Jose Maria Olazabal did.

MAGIC 5-WOOD: The 5-wood that David Toms used to ace the 15th hole of Atlanta Athletic Club on his way to winning the PGA Championship isn't leaving his bag any time soon.

At least, he hopes not.

``I've had it for three years now,'' Toms said. ``Cleveland doesn't make that model any more. They might make something better for me, but for now, it's something I'm used to. I know what it's going to do.''

Still, Toms realizes the time will come when he has to replace it.

``One day, it will go on a shelf somewhere in my house,'' Toms said. ``I've hit a lot of good shots with it. It's made me a lot of money over the years.''

PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: Either Tiger Woods was looking for a way out of returning to Japan, or he's serious about playing the Presidents Cup in South Africa.

Woods finished eighth in the Dunlop Phoenix last month, and afterward was asked if he planned to return.

``I'd like to come back next year, but it will all depend on my schedule, because I think there may be a conflict with the Presidents Cup,'' he said.

Woods said his comments shouldn't suggest one trip or the other.

``If I play the Presidents Cup, obviously I am turning down a healthy sum,'' said Woods, who is said to receive at least $2 million in appearance money overseas. ``Then I'll have a decision to make.''

HOGAN ALLIANCE: The Colonial will have a new title sponsor and a renewed affiliation with Ben Hogan at next year's tournament.

Bank of America has redesigned the tournament logo to prominently feature Ben Hogan, who was linked more closely to the Colonial than any other PGA Tour event.

Hogan grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and won the Colonial five times. His statue is a prominent feature outside the clubhouse.

The logo is circular, with an image of Hogan's backswing -- similar to that famous pose when he hit a 1-iron into the 18th green at Merion in the 1950 U.S. Open.

``The legacy of Ben Hogan and the quality of champions that followed him are a testament to the prestige of the Bank of America Colonial,'' tournament chairman Dee Finley said.

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