ESPN Golf

K.J. Choi's place among the game's top players, David Duval's place on the PGA Tour and the placement of that "MDF" abbrevation (meaning Made Cut, Did Not Finish) on leaderboards are this week's topics of interest, as Jason Sobel and Bob Harig give their takes in this edition of Alternate Shot.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

Poor Choi. The guy goes wire to wire to win the Sony Open by three in a highly non-dramatic final round … and one of the first questions bandied about on the postgame telecast is: "Where does Choi rank among the best current players without a major victory?" It's a label to which every player without a major aspires, but no one really wants -- if that makes any sense. And yes, Choi has to be considered among the best without a big one right now. Where is he on your list?

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

It's an interesting discussion, because I believe you now have to put Choi right up there. Very quietly, he has accumulated seven PGA Tour victories -- and four in 15 months. Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia probably would lead my list, simply based on their worldwide play and potential. But it is interesting that neither player now has as many PGA Tour victories as Choi.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

If Choi were younger (like Scott and Garcia), bolder (like the man he defeated by three strokes, Rory Sabbatini) or had a better recent back story (like Steve Stricker), he would receive a lot more credit for doing what he does. The win vaulted him to seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking; the only players ahead of him without a major title are Stricker and Justin Rose. And here's one other thing about Choi: He's a finisher. Five times he's held the 54-holes lead at a PGA Tour event, and all five times he's come away victorious. That could very well translate into a major in the not-too-distant future.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

He certainly has the game to win a major. These past four victories have been against some pretty good competition, including the two last year at the Memorial and the AT&T National. He flies under the radar for the reasons you mentioned and -- let's face it -- the language difficulties that he has done a marvelous job of trying to overcome. And he does have a great story, having grown up on a Korean island that didn't even have a golf course.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

True, and I certainly didn't mean to insinuate his story was less worthy than that of Stricker; it's just that since becoming a PGA Tour member, he hasn't seen the ups and downs of a roller-coaster playing career. His accomplishments also speak to all of those critics who say today's players need only bash the ball 320 yards and make a few putts in order to achieve success. Last year, Choi was only 134th in driving distance (284.1 yards), but he has proved his high, controlled fade can hold up under pressure.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

Now he needs to take that next step. Choi has four top-10s in majors, but only at the 2004 Masters was he a factor on the back nine. If you remember, he holed a fairway shot for an eagle at Augusta's 11th hole to put himself in the mix. But Ernie Els' finish followed by Phil Mickelson's heroics in winning his first major made Choi's solo third all but forgotten.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

I think it will happen -- and sooner rather than later. At 37, he is in the prime of his career. And he is the type of guy whose game seems suited for any of the four, as he can simply make a few tough birdies, grind out a handful of pars and avoid any big numbers. But before we get too carried away with Choi's recent exploits, remember this: He could have lost this tournament. Now, I know the closest competitor, Sabbatini, was three shots back, and the final nine was devoid of any real drama, but there were 18 players who made the cut Friday … and didn't get to play over the weekend. Could any of 'em come from 11 strokes behind to overtake Choi? Maybe not, but Chris Couch (2006 Zurich Classic), Brad Faxon (2005 Buick Championship) and Jose Maria Olazabal (2002 Buick Invitational) all made the cut on the number and went on to win. So, what do you think of the new rule that will eliminate anyone on the cutline if the total number of players is more than 78?

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

I don't have a problem with it, really. What if the tour had simply decided to lower the number of players who make the cut to 60 and ties? This is better than that. The idea is to cut down on the clutter on the weekends, and while it is unfortunate for those players who make the cut on the number, they should be striving for more than that anyway. I realize there is potential for some big-name players to be left out on the weekends, and there are the examples you cite of players who made the cut on the number and went on to win. But that is rare. The tour's own statistics show that over the past 12 years, players who fell into this category went on to post a grand total of one top-five finish. There were more than 500 of them. At least they get paid.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

This sounds very much like the argument we had last year in regard to the number of players who made the field at each FedEx Cup playoff event. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobody has ever complained about too many players being included in a tournament. Same goes for the final 36 holes. Among the dozen and a half who were left out in the cold this past week (if we can refer to the warm ocean breezes of Oahu as "cold") was John Daly. Are you telling me it is in the PGA Tour's best interest to have a major drawing card sitting over the weekend, even though he has made the cut? If it's become such a problem to finish tournaments on time due to weather and other delays, then perhaps tour officials should simply start the weekend rounds earlier. Wouldn't that be an easier solution?

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

You make a couple of good points. It certainly is not good to have a draw not playing, even though he made the cut. And this should not be considered a solution to the chronic slow-play issue, which could -- and should -- be addressed in other, more meaningful ways. But as we know, unfortunately, there is sometimes more to it than simply starting earlier. Next week in California, they really can't start any earlier if they want to finish in time for a 6 p.m. ET television window. You might say TV shouldn't matter, but of course, it does. I am not saying this is ideal, but I understand why they decided to do it. Maybe there's a compromise: Allow players in the MDF group to play Saturday with another cut before Sunday.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

Not sure I love that suggestion, either. But at least it won't be much of an issue at this week's Bob Hope Classic, where players are guaranteed four rounds in the tour's only 90-hole event. Among those in the somewhat mediocre field is David Duval, who is making his season debut. As you know, I've given up trying to predict what the future holds for Duval; he could win three times or MC in all 25 starts, and neither result would shock me. Reportedly, he is looking forward to a full playing schedule and has been striking the ball well. What do you think of his prospects for this season?

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

I'm with you; it's impossible to predict. Duval has been so up and down for so long, who knows? It is hard to believe we are going on nearly seven years without a victory from Duval. He rarely has contended in the past few years. Whether it has been injuries or personal issues, there have been a lot of things holding him back. It is nice to hear him say he expects a good season. That probably is the first step on the way back to wherever he is headed.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

He might be talking about multiple victories and making the Ryder Cup team, but from where he's coming -- one made cut in 20 starts in 2005, only seven starts last season -- you've got to think he'd be somewhat pleased with a top-125 finish on the money list this year, then try to improve on that in the future. One thing is for sure: All of the players with whom he came up through the ranks are rooting for him to succeed, including his buddy Tiger Woods.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

There is no question about that. Nobody likes to see a player lose the game in the fashion Duval did. A top-125 finish on the money list is all we should expect, but if he were to win a tournament or make the Ryder Cup team, we then might be talking about the story of the year.