You know things are topsy-turvy in the golf world when a majority of the news appears on the US WEEKLY webpage before it hits sports sites. Tiger Woods was previously known as the squeaky-clean corporate sponsor's dream with the fairy-tale wife. Most people ignored the National Enquirer story about an encounter in Australia with what turned out to be “Girl #1”. Only after the early morning car accident did the house of cards begin to collapse, and once the “Girl #2” voicemail was released, it was all over.

It galls me to write this – I fully admit I am a card-carrying Tiger Woods apologist and that I have had a huge man-crush on Eldrick since the 1997 Masters. As much as a fan as I am of the sport of golf, my attention really peaks when Woods is in the field. And now, even with the passing of time, Tiger will always be a punch line in the same vein as Bill Clinton and David Letterman. It really pains me to write that, but it’s the bed he has made (pardon the fairly genius pun).

Tiger seems to have lost his shine. What does it mean on the course?

But this is a fantasy golf article, right? So how does this public relations nightmare affect the most dominant sports figure of the last 15 years? It is tough to say. Working through marital issues can’t be easy, and doing so in the tabloid crosshairs will be absolutely brutal. He is a strong-willed individual and is driven to succeed, and this might push him even more to dominate. Michael Jordan often said that the only time he felt at ease was when he was performing at his chosen craft. This solace will be greatly appreciated by Tiger as he looks ahead to a very rocky 2010.

The only time in his life that he was under any sort of emotional tumult anywhere comparable to this mess was when his father Earl was fighting his losing battle with prostate cancer. Tiger’s 2006 numbers are below:

Events Played – 15
Cuts Made – 14 (Missed his only cut at U.S. Open in first tournament back from Earl’s death)
Top 10s – 11
Wins – Six
Scoring Average – 68.73 (ranked 1st in 2006)
Earnings -- $9,941,563 (ranked 1st in 2006)

This obviously is a bit different, but it appeared having something weighing on his mind back in 2006 did not hurt his performance whatsoever. It will be a long, cold winter in Orlando (at least in his house in Isleworth) but our Top 100 preview will certainly show Tiger sitting at the top of the list. We just hope for golf’s sake this doesn’t turn him into the next David Duval.

Qualifying School Recap –
The PGA vagabonds have completed six ulcer-producing rounds at Bear Lakes Country Club and the 2009 Q-School is in the books. Here is a list of the Top 20 (and ties) that will be making their way (in some cases for the first time) to the grand stage of the PGA Tour.

You might be asking why we are even bothering. Well, ask those owners who rode the success of Webb Simpson’s four Top 10s or the seven Top 25s of James Nitties last year. Anyone in a draft or auction league looking for late round or cheap sleepers should consult this list. And our partners at Yahoo! allow you to use any one golfer a maximum of 10 times. Sooner or later, you might need to use of these guys—you might as well start to learn who they are. And if you’re in a salary cap league, these guys are often the minimum salary and make great roster fillers when you already have spent big.

Rookies are designated with an asterisk.

1) Troy Merritt * - Medalist; tour rookie shot -22 over six rounds
2) Jeff Maggert - Grizzled veteran
3) Matt Jones – Two top 10s in 2009 but not enough consistency to avoid Q-school
4) Martin Flores *
5) Neal Lancaster – Last win was the GTE Byron Nelson Classic…..in 1994
5) Brendon de Jonge – T-7th at U.S. Bank Championship highlight of 2009
7) Billy Horschel *
8) David Lutterus *
8) J.P. Hayes – Earns spot back to the show after injury cut short season in August
8) Graham Delaet *
11) Jay Williamson – Horrible 2009 (one Top 25) followed breakout 2008 season
12) Chris Wilson *
12) Brenden Pappas *
12) Kris Blanks – Split time between PGA and Nationwide Tour last year
12) Omar Uresti - Chris Berman’s favorite – “Omar under Uresti”
15) Rickie Fowler – Finished strong in fall season (2010 sleeper alert!)
15) Shane Bertsch – Narrowly missed card in ‘08, two PGA appearances in ‘09
15) Joe Ogilvie – Grizzled vet looking to revitalize career after injury
19) Brian Stuard *
19) Cameron Tringale *
19) Michael Connell *
19) Chris Riley – Seven Top 25s in 2009 not enough to avoid Q-school
23) Spencer Levin – Needs to improve on inconsistent 2009 PGA rookie season
23) Brent Delahoussaye *
23) Andrew McLardy *

And of course there is a “have-not” list…..some of the notables that will be writing sponsor exemption letters to tournament committees are below:

26) Tom Pernice Jr. – multiple winner on tour misses by a stroke
34) Jonathan Kaye – Very surprising to see Kaye on this list
48) Jason Gore - Former US Open darling
64) Shaun Micheel – PGA Championship winner
64) Dickey Pride – Got to love the name!
90) David Duval – Tied 2nd at U.S. Open in 2009, won $50,000 in all other events
140) Paul Stankowski – Time to hang it up?
WD) Todd Hamilton – Former British Open champion
WD) Jesper Parnevik – Tough week due to personal relationship with Nordgren family

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