Jay Haas still no intention of joining Champions Tour

Jay Haas played two senior majors last summer and made his debut at a regular Champions Tour event in September in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, where seniors were paired with kids in The First Tee program.

But that doesn't mean Haas, who turned 51 on Dec. 3, is ready to play against guys his own age. Heck, he's still ranked No. 26 in the world.

Haas finished the 2004 season 27th on the PGA Tour money list with more than $2 million in earnings. And though he failed to record a victory, he missed only three cuts and had eight top-10 finishes. Playing in the Ryder Cup and making the Tour Championship in the second half of 2004 made it too hard to pass up another year playing on the regular tour.

Haas already is guaranteed a spot in the Accenture Match Play Championship and the Masters, and his top-30 finish on the money list got him into the U.S. Open. Being picked for the Ryder Cup team made him eligible for the PGA Championship.

But his real carrot is a chance to qualify for the Presidents Cup, set for September at the Robert Trent Jones Club in suburban Washington, D.C. Haas is 15th in the standings, which is based solely on money, but a mere $200,000 out of the 10th and final automatic spot.

"Uncle Bob (Goalby) said, 'Man, you're screwing it up. You've got to think about the Presidents Cup next year,"' Haas said. "And hey -- why not?"

So, does that mean he's going to put the Champions Tour on hold? Haas got a twinkle in his eye and smiled.

"I don't know," he said, his voice trailing off just enough to show he was serious. "I won't say I'm going to blow it off. But ..."

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