Last year--with no Tiger Woods--it was no surprise. But this year, I find it unbelievable that only four of the top-12 players in the world are playing this week. Let's consider why this week's tournament should be so enticing:
--It's two weeks after the US Open and two weeks before the British Open. It is sandwiched in between two weaker tournaments. It's only logical that the top players would want to play.
--The tournament is at Congressional, where the 2011 US Open will be held. This is the last chance players have to play the course in a competitive format before the Open.
--Tiger is the host and the players have a lot to be thankful for--namely purse sizes and popularity of the game.
--It's the 4th of July, and what better place to spend the holiday weekend then in the nation's capital?
John Hawkins offered an interesting theory on Wednesday's Grey Goose about the mediocre field. He said that players might not be coming to the AT&T to send a message to Tiger that he should play in more events to support the Tour. It's just a theory, but it might hold some truth.
