Finchem satisfied with 2010 PGA Tour season
Even though U.S. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem is not enthralled with the current economic situation of his tour, he remains hopeful for the future.
A handful of PGA Tour events in 2011 will not have a title sponsor, according to Finchem, who spoke to reporters Tuesday at East Lake Golf Club, site of the season-ending Tour Championship.
He added that the tour has no plans to subsidize these events.
The tournaments without title sponsors currently include the Bob Hope Classic in January, the Verizon Heritage in April, the St. Jude Classic in June, and the CA Championship in March.
But Finchem noted that none of these tournaments are in danger of being cut from the schedule. “All tournaments are funded so we're pleased with that,” he said.
In a tough economy due to the recent economic downturn, Finchem was pleased to announce that the tour has either signed or renewed 18 title sponsors since 2009.
There are 47 events scheduled for the 2010-11 season.
“We’re pleased that we’re competing. We’re not falling backward when we’re in a difficult environment,” said Finchem. “On the other hand, you would much prefer to grow.”
Finchem also said he was pleased with the TV ratings of the tour, despite Tiger Woods’ three-month leave of absence from the game. He said the cumulative TV audience, which includes the
number of viewers who tune into PGA Tour events, was only down two percent. Some may have expected a larger drop because of the long absence of Woods, the tour’s biggest draw.
“I think Tiger brings a lot of unique viewers to the telecast,” he said. “Tiger doesn’t generate the core audience that we have week in and week out. I’ll say this for maybe the 50th time—we
have 47 tournaments, Tiger plays in 16. The economy is the problem, not Tiger.”
Perhaps in a veiled reference to the much-publicized travails of Woods this year, Finchem described the season as “eventful.”
But he also said he was pleased with the slate of winners on tour this year, which included numerous household names such as Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, as well as many exciting young
players such as Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.
"I can't remember a year when we've had more buzz, more interest, and more questions from fans about the younger players,” said Finchem.
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