Buzzmaster

  (3:52 PM)

Bob Harig will be by at the top of the hour to take all your golf questions!

Bob Harig

  (4:03 PM)

Hello, thanks for joining this golf chat. Hope everyone is still able to find a way to tee it up somehow, somewhere. And since the golf season never reall ends, we'll keep talking about it. So ask away.

Gayle (CT)

Does the golf season have an offseason? It seems like as soon as the last tournmament is played, we have the Mercedes out in Hawaii.

Bob Harig

  (4:05 PM)

Gayle, you nailed it. The golf season never really ends, as I mentioned in the intro. Not sure if that is good or bad. To take it even further, the European Tour's season-ending event is this week in Spain. The start of the 2009 season begins next week in China. Go figure.

James (Chicago)

Bob, what do these guys do during the winter? Tweak with the swing? Get some rest?

Bob Harig

  (4:06 PM)

James, there are many things they might do. Some put the clubs away and try to work on their conditioning. Others try to work with their equipment. Some play tournaments overseas. There are plenty of easy money tournaments, too.

ernesto (bogota)

Bob, Do you see the addition of camilo and AK to eurpe tour as good for PGA as well? I think the more exposure these two get the better for all tours in the long run as tiger will need some new blood to take on in next 5-7 years? Also can you see Villegas(7) and Kim (8) breaking into top 5 of world ranking or winning a major in 2009? thanks!

Bob Harig

  (4:08 PM)

Ernesto, you make a good point about Villegas and Anthony Kim's joining the European tour being good for the game. But I'm not sure it's good for the PGA Tour. Let's be honest here, they are still going to play a bunch of PGA Tour events. They have to play a minimum of 15. Seven of those count for Europe, so they would need to add at least five more over there. That's only 20 tournaments to play both tours, in theory. But you know some events on the PGA Tour are going to have to do without them. It just makes sense, due to travel and such. And I can certainly see these guys being top five players and winning majors, Kim especially. Both showed a lot during the second half of the year.

fred (TX)

is that bad Bob? I love golf as much as the next, but not having a full offseason, doesn't that tire out the guys out there on tour?

Bob Harig

  (4:11 PM)

The problem is, you can't keep these guys from playing golf somewhere. Tiger's tournament in December is not official, but pays big money. And it affects their schedules. It might mean they play less in the early part of the year. A nice, healthy offseason would whet the appetite of fans and might make the players want to get back out there more.

Paul (Pa.)

what's the best place to play golf in the winter?

Bob Harig

  (4:12 PM)

I admit I am biased because I live in Florida, but it is probably the place where you can count on the weather to be pretty good. Arizona might be the same way, but it is probably cheaper here. Sorry for the chamber of commerce plug.

Rick (Annapolis, MD)

who's had the best season?

Bob Harig

  (4:13 PM)

Hard to say. Do you go with Tiger, who won six times in just six events and managed to still lead the FedEx Cup points through the regular season? Or what about Padraig Harrington, who won back to back majors? Vijay Singh won three times, twice during the playoffs, and won the FedEx Cup. Kenny Perry won three times and had a great Ryder Cup. There are some good arguments on all sides.

Hank (Miami)

who has impressed you the most this year?

Bob Harig

  (4:14 PM)

Hank, I'd have to say Padraig Harrington. Not to take anything away from Tiger. But Harrington absolutely willed himself to those two majors. Remember, he started out the British Open not even knowing if he could play because of a wrist injury, was tied with nine holes to go, then won. And at the PGA, he seemed spent. He admitted it after Friday's round. He had nothing left. And he found a way.Pretty impressive.

Matt (Atlanta)

Nearly ten minutes gone, and no Tiger questions yet? And you call this a golf chat? Anyway, considering the knee injury, is it even fathomable that Tiger wins a "Comeback Player of the Year" award, something we thought he would never win.

Bob Harig

  (4:15 PM)

Matt, it's a great thought. If Steve Stricker could win it back to back years -- he was comeback player of the year after being comeback player of the year -- why couldn't Tiger? But does he have to do better than four victories and a major?

Erik (LA)

biggest surprise of the year?

Bob Harig

  (4:17 PM)

Erik, I would probably go with Anthony Kim. Not that we didn't think he could be a great player. But there is a big difference between potential and reaching it. He showed this year what he's got. His Ryder Cup performance was impressive. The two victories. I'd say he was a surprise given his problems the first year.

Randy (Lawto,Ok)

Tiger's knee has been a problem for a few years now. Does it worry you that he possibly might not be the player he once was?

Bob Harig

  (4:19 PM)

Randy, I truly believe he'll be better. As you said, his knee was bothering him for the last few years. Now it is fixed. When it heals, he'll get it stronger and be better for it. Sure, we have to give him some time to chip the rust away from his game. But that break might be the best thing for him.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Any comment on Daly's latest episode? As they say in A Bronx Tale, there is nothing worse than wasted talent.

Bob Harig

  (4:21 PM)

Cosmo, I think you put it best. I'm amazed he continues to be a story, but fans are still drawn to him.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Do you have any news on Jeff Overton's condition after the First Round today? Was he playing with any noticeable pain from the appendix surgery last week?

Bob Harig

  (4:22 PM)

Michael, I'm not at the Ginn tournament, so I don't know how he is feeling, but he did shoot 71 which is pretty impressive compared to where he was a week ago.

Jonny (NY)

Admittidly, I'm a huge Tiger fan, but with that said, doesn't Phil have to be in the running for most disappointing season? Tiger wasn't around for half of it and the No. 2 player in the world did not shine.

Bob Harig

  (4:24 PM)

Jonny, there is no question that Phil's season would have to be considered disappointing, even though he won two times. He didn't win after Tiger left the scene, was not a factor at either of the last two majors, blew a chance to win a WGC event, was ordinary at the Ryder Cup. He missed a playoff by only a shot at the Tour Championship. I guess we just hold Phil to some high standards, because he had a very good year.

Tom (Atlanta)

Tim Finchem seems to be a pompous stuffed shirt. He better wake up to the new fiscal reality, declining t-v relations and sans Tiger, the wheels are coming off the golf cart/money train. The FedEx cup is a jumble and a PR fiasco. The "Fall Finish" is meaningless. Who - besides the Beckman family - cares about these tournaments?

Bob Harig

  (4:31 PM)

Yikes. First Tom, I think Commissioner Finchem has a pretty good handle on the financial hurdles ahead. He's done quite well for the players over the years, which is what he is paid to do. That said, the tour has some issues to face. I'm pretty certain that these guys would still show up if purses were "only" $5-million as opposed to 7 or 8. The FedEx Cup definitely needs some altering, but I still say it's better than what we had. Two years ago at this time we'd have been limping into the Tour Championship, which had virutally no interest. The FedEx Cup brings the top guys together. It has the chance to be very good. As for the Fall Series, well, the PGA Tour is also about giving playing opportunities to its members. That's what this is. I'm not sure what you could do at this time of year to make golf more compelling with all the competition it faces.

Travis (Canada)

Bob, what are the chances of all the pro tours actually coming together for more then just a few events each year?

Bob Harig

  (4:32 PM)

Travis, I'm not sure how that would happen. You've got thre three World Golf events and the four majors where they come together. Players from around the world also make it into the Players Championship and selected European tour events.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

I see Tiger winning 2 or 3 Majors this year. Then the rest of the tour will be lining up at the surgeon's for complete knee reconstruction. Agree?

Bob Harig

  (4:34 PM)

Cosmo, I gues that is possible if that surgeon can give them the power, mind and finesse that Tiger has -- in addition to a better knee.

Matt (Atlanta)

Bob, have they decided on the next Ryder Cup captain? If not, who are the favorites? And remind me, which Euro course is hosting the next one?

Bob Harig

  (4:36 PM)

Matt, neither side has named their captain for 2010 as of yet. The Americans, I believe, are sort of basking in the glow of victory and feel no rush. Among the names mentioned has been Corey Pavin. Davis Love comes up, too, but he appears keen on trying to play his way onto the team. The 2010 Ryder Cup is going to be at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Kyle (Kansas)

Do you follow college golf at all? Which schools have the best programs?

Bob Harig

  (4:38 PM)

Kyle, I am not an expert on this, and I'm sure some others could help out. But Georgia, Florida, Clemson, Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Houston, UCLA are among the traditional powers.

John (Maine)

AFter the win in the Ryder Cup this year, do you see the US team winning next time?

Bob Harig

  (4:44 PM)

John, I've thought the U.S. could win every time, so it wouldn't surprise me if they won in Wales. But probably nothing would anymore in the Ryder Cup.

Dan (L.A.)

I know Tiger says he doesn't know when he's coming back, but there's no way he misses The Masters next year, right?

Bob Harig

  (4:46 PM)

Dan, I have to believe Tiger wants more than anything else to be there. The question is, can he get his game in shape in time? Wouldn't he have to play a tournament or two prior? I know he won the U.S. Open having not played for two months, but to go 10 months is a lot to ask.

Will, NYC

Do you think we'll ever see more PGA events overseas?

Bob Harig

  (4:47 PM)

Will, I don't believe so. The tour has the perfect opportunity to do this with the World Golf Championship events, but all three are in the U.S. If those don't go overseas, none will. And plus, there are numerous places in the U.S. that would love a golf tournament and don't have one.

Paul (Pittsburgh)

Who would you name as having a disappointing season?

Bob Harig

  (4:49 PM)

Paul, I mentioned Phil Mickelson earlier. I would probably put Adam Scott on the list. David Toms. Retief Goosen. To some degree Ernie Els.

Matt (Atlanta)

Have Robin Williams and Michael Jordan ever responded to Fred Couples invite to be Assistant Captains of the Presidents Cup.

Bob Harig

  (4:50 PM)

Matt, from what I understand, Michael Jordan is on board. No word yet from Robin Williams -- who by the way, does a hilarious stand-up knock on golf.

Bob Harig

  (4:54 PM)

Max, you make a good point. Sergio might not have won as much as he could have, but he gave himself chances. Lost two FedEx Cup events in playoffs. Was right there at the PGA. Won the Players. Just won in Spain. Has moved to No. 3 in the world. I have said even before this year that his winning a major is inevitable. He's only 28! Remember, Mickelson was 33 when he won his first. As far as moving to No. 2, he'll have to maintain this high level. Remember, Adam Scott was No. 3 at the U.S. Open and has fallen out of the top 10.

Max (San Francisco)

Bob, I've really been impressed with Sergio's consistency the second half of this year. He's finished second maybe too many times but he seems to be in the hunt every week and converted last week. Do you think he finally wins a major next year and does he stay in the Top 3 (or maybe even pass Phil) in the rankings for awhile?

Bob Harig

  (4:55 PM)

Max, you make a good point. Sergio might not have won as much as he could have, but he gave himself chances. Lost two FedEx Cup events in playoffs. Was right there at the PGA. Won the Players. Just won in Spain. Has moved to No. 3 in the world. I have said even before this year that his winning a major is inevitable. He's only 28! Remember, Mickelson was 33 when he won his first. As far as moving to No. 2, he'll have to maintain this high level. Remember, Adam Scott was No. 3 at the U.S. Open and has fallen out of the top 10.

Me (My house)

Boo Weekley is the coolest person ever... That is all.

Bob Harig

  (4:58 PM)

Well thanks for checking in with your love for Boo.

Bob Harig

  (5:01 PM)

I'm out of time. Thanks for your participation and check back again next week. Enjoy the weekend.