Pros Playing Less- Why?

[SkiSchoolPro]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > Valid point about Jack...did notice that he played less than Palmer and Watson after I made the OP. However, he averaged more than 19 PGA Tour events from 1962-1978 (17 year streak of multiple PGA Tour wins)...Yeah he won the Masters in '86 at age 46, but I consider the years I quoted as more his prime than the years you quoted. Also, I know he played some abroad (6 time winner of the Australian Open), that might not of counted as official PGA Tour events. (Yes, Tiger and others play non-PGA events also but WGCs count in their PGA total).

> >

> > Don't have the stats to back up @canonlbp430 quote, but I suspect he is correct. Maybe if I get more time, will try to research it...

>

> I just don't see any stats that would support the idea that the top golfers are playing less.

>

> Almost all of them start out playing at a high level, then reduce to a more sustainable level.

>

> Jack: 1st four years averaged 24 PGA tour events, then dropped to less than 18 until age 40.

> Spieth: Averaged less than 24 and still is playing that number.

> McIlroy is playing more PGA Tour events (probably fewer Euro events) now than his first four years.

> Phil has averaged over 22 events during the past three years.

> DJ has averaged over 20 during the past six years with no sign of reducing.

> Day has averaged 20 events over the past five years with no sign of reducing.

>

> So who is playing fewer events????????

 

3rd time I have tried posting some stats from PGATour.com (so maybe this will end up being a duplicate post, but I don't see my original which disappeared after editing). Compared to 1980 (first year they had $ List/Event Played info), it looks like the Top 10 to 100 are playing about 1.35 to 4 events less per year on the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour Average Events Played (by $ List Rank)

Yr Top 10 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100

1980 26.00 26.28 25.88 26.23

2018 22.00 22.64 23.90 24.88

In terms of OWGR events, in 2018, the final Top 10 averaged about 24.5 Events played while the Top 100 averaged almost 26. Compared to 2008, if you exclude #1 Tiger who was injured and only played 7 events, the top players played about 0.25 fewer events.

OWGR Top 10 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100

2008 24.67 24.71 25.51 26.22

2018 24.50 24.16 25.28 25.96

 

[Shilgy]

^^ Are they playing more international events to balance it out?

[Roadking2003]

> @SkiSchoolPro said:

> In terms of OWGR events, in 2018, the final Top 10 averaged about 24.5 Events played while the Top 100 averaged almost 26. Compared to 2008, if you exclude #1 Tiger who was injured and only played 7 events, the top players played about 0.25 fewer events.

> OWGR Top 10 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100

> 2008 24.67 24.71 25.51 26.22

> 2018 24.50 24.16 25.28 25.96

>

>

Thanks for posting some stats. So no noticeable reduction from 2008 to 2018.

 

[SkiSchoolPro]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > In terms of OWGR events, in 2018, the final Top 10 averaged about 24.5 Events played while the Top 100 averaged almost 26. Compared to 2008, if you exclude #1 Tiger who was injured and only played 7 events, the top players played about 0.25 fewer events.

> > OWGR Top 10 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100

> > 2008 24.67 24.71 25.51 26.22

> > 2018 24.50 24.16 25.28 25.96

> >

> >

> Thanks for posting some stats. So no noticeable reduction from 2008 to 2018.

> wh

Yes, most of the drop off seems to have occurred pre-2008. I also looked at PGATour.com which shows a slightly bigger drop from 2008 to 2018, but still a much smaller change than from 1980 to 2008/2018

 

PGA Tour Average Events Played (by $ List Rank)

Yr Top 10 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100

1980 26.00 26.28 25.88 26.23

2008 21.78 23.08 25.04 25.51 Excluding TW

2008 20.20 22.40 24.66 25.31 w/ Tiger

2018 22.00 22.64 23.90 24.88

 

 

[spk7]

I think most of it comes down to money, they don’t have to play in the less “prestigious” tournaments since they don’t need the prize money so they don’t

[QuigleyDU]

If any pro can get attributed the trend that may or may not exist of playing fewer events it is Steve Stricker. He is the only pro that I am aware of that has said he does not want to play alot. Decided during some of his best golf years to not play the open championship. Played golf around his hunting schedule, and prioritized family. He was able to make it work because he was really good. Some of these guys have to play every week to keep their card. Stricker would show up win the greenbrier and be good for a few years.