With the added pressure to play later in the year--namely due to the FedEx Cup--interest has waned among the game's elite to play in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
Jason Sobel of ESPN.com reports that the top four players in the world--Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington--are all out. Although 33 of the 37 eligible participants are expected to play, the tournament continues to struggle to bring in the likes of Tiger and Phil.
Golfweek Editor Jeff Babineau suggested last year that the Mercedes-Benz could draw a better field if it was played at the end of the year--somewhat like the Pro Bowl. Moving the tournament to early-mid November could give the tournament a jolt, but either way, it will be a tough sell to viewers.
