I think Angelo and Jaros should be roughly the same in points -- the difference between the two is what I have problems with. Frankly, Jaros's struggles early in the year and then his problems at the U.S. Open and Reno mean that he shouldn't be the points leader. But I disagree with the general point that consistency should be rewarded far more than titles. Consistency is professional and impressive, but titles and money are what pros bowl for. Put directly, Jaros "cashed" in 14 of the 20 tournaments he entered. He made the match play in 9 of those. Angelo made match play in 17 and cashed in 18. The difference in making and not making match play is not that much...very often, less than a break a set. 14 vs 18 is not that big a difference. 9 vs 17 is. Jaros also won three times, Angelo has yet to win. Angelo's average is better: 220.98 (which I think is the best argument for him), while Jaros's average is "only" 218.66. Jaros has won $156,300. Angelo has won $98,250. I think Angelo would say getting a title would mean more than the points lead.
Nonetheless, I think one would say both have had great years and most of us would probably rather have had the year Jaros had, all told. You don't make the Hall cashing, you make it winning, which Angelo, given his talent is likely to do loads of in the future.
So what is my point? My point is that there is not a big enough premium in points for winning and finishing second. I actually think there should be a larger points premium for winning and slightly smaller money premium. I simply don't understand a system where the point leader has no wins, but 18 cashes, 4 TV appearances, and 17 match play appearances over: (a) a player with a higher average, more than twice the earnings, two wins, five TV appearances, two seconds, a major, 17 cashes, 13 match play appearances, and (b) a player with a higher average, two wins, more than twice the earnings, 12 match play appearances, six TV appearances, and 15 cashes. Call me strange, but it seems to me, something is out of kilter.
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"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."
Edited on 3/18/2004 1:52 PM