Golf Notes September 4

PGA Tour officials had hoped to be able to announce the 2003 schedule after its policy board meeting this week in Toronto, but with some sponsorship issues still unsettled, that could be pushed back again.

"The absolute deadline would be our policy board meeting in mid-November," said Duke Butler, vice president of tournament business affairs.

The tour likely will release its 2003 schedule incrementally, which is what the LPGA Tour has done the last couple of years.

One sticking point remains Labor Day. Butler said the PGA Tour already has sold the media rights to ABC Sports for a tournament that ends next year on Labor Day. Among cities on the short list are Seattle and Boston.

Rankings game

The American Express Championship in Ireland looked to be an ideal way for the U.S. Ryder Cup team to prepare a week before the matches.

But as many as three Americans might not even qualify for the World Golf Championship event for the top 50 in the world ranking and top 30 on the PGA Tour money list.

The cutoff is next Monday. Hal Sutton will not be eligible, and Stewart Cink dropped to No. 51 in this week's ranking. Paul Azinger is No. 49 and could be bumped.

Another player on the bubble, with no Ryder Cup implications, is Jeff Sluman. He thought he was in at the NEC Invitational in Sahalee, only to slip out of the top 50 the week of the tournament. This week, Sluman dropped from No. 49 to No. 53, and he's about $50,000 short of the top 30 on the money list.

Divots: PGA Tour events aren't the only ones looking for sponsors. Portland-based retailer Fred Meyer Stores Inc. says it no longer will sponsor Peter Jacobsen's popular two-day charity event in Oregon. ... Golf has some connections to the head of the Olympic movement. Fay said the sister-in-law of IOC boss Jacques Rogge -- Maudlin Rogge -- is captain of the Belgian international women's team. ... Players who had never won on the PGA Tour have accounted for 37 percent (14-of-38) of all victories this year.

Stat of the week: Gene Sauers was No. 895 in the world ranking until winning the Air Canada Championship in Vancouver. He moved up this week to No. 155.

Final word: "I like to play golf, but your sticks are too short." -- Sergei Bubka, who set the world record in the pole vault 35 times, to USGA executive director David Fay.

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