Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

STEVE WILLIAMS’S RACIAL INSULT
John Garrity, contributing writer, Sports Illustrated: I’m just going to drop the puck and get out of the way. The story of the week has to be caddie Steve Williams’s revolting diss of his former boss, Tiger Woods, at the caddies’ annual awards dinner in Shanghai. (Asked on stage why he had gloated on TV after his new boss, Adam Scott, outplayed Woods while winning the Bridgestone Invitational in August, Williams answered, “My aim was to shove it right up that black a——!”) My question is: With the Presidents Cup due to begin in 10 days, has Williams given golf haters a 52-card pack of race cards to play?

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: His comments certainly don’t help, and the PGA Tour and European Tour’s lack of a response hurt even more.

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I don’t think golf haters need any more ammo. There’s plenty. But Williams has certainly reinforced a lot of preconceived notions and re-established himself as a world-class jerk.

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: It was a stupid thing to say, even as a joke. Makes me wonder about Williams’s IQ.

Reiterman: And since when does being on a stage, talking into a microphone, in front of a room full of people constitute being “off the record”?

Herre: The tours have responded — case closed. Will be interesting to see if the players let Williams off that easy. He broke the caddie code with this one. Could cost him his career.

Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: As Shipnuck pointed out in his column Sunday, anytime a racial incident happens in golf, it recalls the bad old days and draws attention to the fact that not much has changed diversity-wise, at least on the PGA Tour. So yes, golf haters will see this as another black eye for the game. As for the Presidents Cup, this whole thing has added some intrigue. I wonder if Tiger and Stevie will come to blows.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’m disappointed in golf’s tepid response but hardly surprised. As for Steve Williams, his comment was racist whether or not he is racist. It was an attempt to regain some semblance of power against someone he used to work for. It was a comment made to elevate himself and to put Tiger in his place in front of a roomful of peers. It disgusts me.

Jeff Ritter, senior producer, Golf.com: After Woods fired Williams this summer, the public inexplicably got behind Stevie — it was a little strange to see him roundly cheered at Tour events after he behaved with such little class on Tiger’s bag for so many years. This event reminded me that, to paraphrase a popular NFL catchphrase, “he was who we thought he was.”

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: So far it seems like the players are letting him off with a pass — at least publicly. Adam Scott says Stevie will absolutely continue to be his caddie. G-Mac and Rory gave apathetic comments and sounded ready to move on. Fred Couples seems to be the only guy who has spoken out strongly and he said he’d fire him.

Herre: Steph, that’s what they say for public consumption. In private, any player would have to wonder if he could trust Williams, who seems to think he has more power than his employer.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’ll be shocked if Fred Couples doesn’t fit Tiger into a match against Adam Scott during the Prez Cup, preferably singles. You know Tiger wants a piece of that action.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Wei: Weren’t the Australian Open organizers planning on putting Adam Scott and Tiger Woods (along with Jason Day) in the same threesome for the first two rounds? Wonder if they’ll stick to that plan.

Herre: If they’re smart, they will.

Tell us what you think: Will Steve Williams overshadow the Presidents Cup?

WAS WILLIAMS’S REMARK ‘TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT’?
Garrity: Adam Scott suggested that Stevie’s wisecrack was taken out of context, and one observer said that if Tiger had been present, he’d probably have laughed along with the crowd. I’ve never been to the caddie dinner, but I gather the banter aspires to the crudeness of a Comedy Channel celebrity roast. Does that excuse Stevie?

Reiterman: Absolutely not. It’s a stupid thing to say no matter where you are.

Hack: Taken out of context. Love that excuse.

Herre: It sounded to me like some of those in attendance were shocked by Williams’s crude joke, which is why word of it got out so fast.

Hanger: It might help explain why he said what he said, and it might make it less offensive than if he’d said it while talking to TV interviewers by the 18th green, but I don’t think it excuses it. Bringing race into it indicates to me that Williams does have some deep-down, ugly thoughts in his head — otherwise, why would “black” have been part of that remark?

Herre: Exactly, Charlie. Other pros, like Graeme McDowell, were wise enough to make the same point.

Gorant: The rules for a comedian working a roast or doing a routine are different than they are for a glorified bellhop spewing hate speech in a public forum.

Hanger: I’m not anywhere close to excusing Stevie for this, but I think “spewing hate speech” is a little over the top. It was one ugly remark by one hard-to-like guy.

Gorant: The guy is a pig and a bully with a history of bad behavior. He’s made millions-most of it thanks to Tiger Woods-carrying a bag. Soft-pedal if you want Charlie, but I don’t want to ever hear from this guy again. If you said the same thing, you’d be fired and you’d have a hard time getting another job.

Hanger: I’m just saying “spewing hate speech” is hyperbole, especially when we didn’t witness the incident first-hand to hear his tone of voice or judge the amount of animosity. That’s not soft-pedaling it. Like I said, I think what he said was really ugly. If I were Adam Scott, I’d have fired him already.

Hack: This whole Stevie deal reminds me of the Association of Golf Writers dinner back at the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie when the R&A’s Graham Brown made derogatory remarks about Asians and blacks. Peter Dawson said Brown “certainly is not racist” and was “horrified if he left that impression.”

Tell us what you think: Was Williams out of line with his comments or was his crude humor taken out of context?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

RORY BEATS SMALL FIELD FOR BIG PRIZE
Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: It may have been a quiet week stateside, but there was plenty of buzz abroad with a couple of marquee names stealing the headlines. Let’s start at the Shanghai Masters, where Rory McIlroy coughed up the lead in the final round and then rallied to beat Anthony Kim in a playoff. Rory had been winless since his romp at the U.S. Open and was playing for the first time since replacing agent Chubby Chandler with lesser-known Conor Ridge. What kind of statement did McIlroy make with his fourth career victory?

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Just win, baby! Every victory is special and makes the next one less stressful.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: He’s looking a little Phil-ish — exciting, unpredictable. He’ll win big, he’ll play indifferently, he’ll lose focus and regain it. Just like the popular lefthander.

Mike Walker, senior editor, Golf Magazine: There was never any reason to worry about McIlroy. He took some time to enjoy a historic win. This win and his agent decision show the killer instinct is intact.

Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: A good win, but this was a 30-man cash grab (Rory won $2 million!), so we shouldn’t read too much into it.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’ve always felt that victories in mini-field events, 30 or 40 players, should come with an asterisk. It may be more newsworthy that Anthony Kim showed signs of life than that Rory won again.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Bamberger: Which is why, among other reasons, a great player can dominate at Augusta, like Jack and Arnold and Tiger and Faldo. How many people do you have to beat after the cut — 60? And do you want to put an asterisk on Bill Haas’s selection to the Presidents Cup team?

Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: It’s hard to get too excited about a tournament that doesn’t merit any World Ranking points, but I suppose it’s still good to win the thing. Rory has to start turning those seconds and thirds into firsts on a regular basis to justify the hype.

Mick Rouse, SI Golf+ Intern: I think a lot of people were wondering where Rory’s head was after leaving Chubby. Winning his first tournament will prove that his mind is still on golf.

Bamberger: Nobody asked, but I think Rory made a good, bold move, going to the obscure Horizon firm. He’s staking his own ground, and why wouldn’t he?

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Winning can’t be a bad thing, and maybe in the back of his mind this one feels good because it means he can do it without Chubby & Co. in his corner, but a win in a full-field European or PGA Tour event would be more meaningful to me.

Jeff Ritter, senior producer, Golf.com: It wasn’t a huge statement, but I’m still convinced he’s ready rise to No. 1 in 2012 — maybe as soon as the Monday after the Masters.

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: I don’t think it was much of a “statement,” but it got us back to talking about his phenomenal game and not about a laundry list of off-the-course shenanigans.

Hanger: Don’t think it’s quite fair to get on Rory’s case for “shenanigans.” He’s switched managers and started dating a leggy blonde tennis player. Not like he’s been doing anything out of line or neglecting his livelihood.

Morfit: I agree. I don’t see that Rory has been doing anything all that out of the ordinary. Wozniacki is Yoko Ono? We sure seem to know a lot about Rory’s life. Smacking the tree root has been his only unforgiveable post-U.S. Open gaffe, and even that you can partly attribute to his caddie’s not taking a firm hand.

Tell us what you think: What kind of statement did McIlroy make with his win in Shanghai? Did it change your expectations for him in 2012?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

RORY BEATS SMALL FIELD FOR BIG PRIZE
Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: It may have been a quiet week stateside, but there was plenty of buzz abroad with a couple of marquee names stealing the headlines. Let’s start at the Shanghai Masters, where Rory McIlroy coughed up the lead in the final round and then rallied to beat Anthony Kim in a playoff. Rory had been winless since his romp at the U.S. Open and was playing for the first time since replacing agent Chubby Chandler with lesser-known Conor Ridge. What kind of statement did McIlroy make with his fourth career victory?

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Just win, baby! Every victory is special and makes the next one less stressful.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: He’s looking a little Phil-ish — exciting, unpredictable. He’ll win big, he’ll play indifferently, he’ll lose focus and regain it. Just like the popular lefthander.

Mike Walker, senior editor, Golf Magazine: There was never any reason to worry about McIlroy. He took some time to enjoy a historic win. This win and his agent decision show the killer instinct is intact.

Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: A good win, but this was a 30-man cash grab (Rory won $2 million!), so we shouldn’t read too much into it.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’ve always felt that victories in mini-field events, 30 or 40 players, should come with an asterisk. It may be more newsworthy that Anthony Kim showed signs of life than that Rory won again.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Bamberger: Which is why, among other reasons, a great player can dominate at Augusta, like Jack and Arnold and Tiger and Faldo. How many people do you have to beat after the cut — 60? And do you want to put an asterisk on Bill Haas’s selection to the Presidents Cup team?

Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: It’s hard to get too excited about a tournament that doesn’t merit any World Ranking points, but I suppose it’s still good to win the thing. Rory has to start turning those seconds and thirds into firsts on a regular basis to justify the hype.

Mick Rouse, SI Golf+ Intern: I think a lot of people were wondering where Rory’s head was after leaving Chubby. Winning his first tournament will prove that his mind is still on golf.

Bamberger: Nobody asked, but I think Rory made a good, bold move, going to the obscure Horizon firm. He’s staking his own ground, and why wouldn’t he?

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Winning can’t be a bad thing, and maybe in the back of his mind this one feels good because it means he can do it without Chubby & Co. in his corner, but a win in a full-field European or PGA Tour event would be more meaningful to me.

Jeff Ritter, senior producer, Golf.com: It wasn’t a huge statement, but I’m still convinced he’s ready rise to No. 1 in 2012 — maybe as soon as the Monday after the Masters.

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: I don’t think it was much of a “statement,” but it got us back to talking about his phenomenal game and not about a laundry list of off-the-course shenanigans.

Hanger: Don’t think it’s quite fair to get on Rory’s case for “shenanigans.” He’s switched managers and started dating a leggy blonde tennis player. Not like he’s been doing anything out of line or neglecting his livelihood.

Morfit: I agree. I don’t see that Rory has been doing anything all that out of the ordinary. Wozniacki is Yoko Ono? We sure seem to know a lot about Rory’s life. Smacking the tree root has been his only unforgiveable post-U.S. Open gaffe, and even that you can partly attribute to his caddie’s not taking a firm hand.

Tell us what you think: What kind of statement did McIlroy make with his win in Shanghai? Did it change your expectations for him in 2012?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

DONALD CAPS SEASON WITH A WIN
David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Can anyone remember the last time the PGA Tour money title came down to the back nine on the last Sunday of the season? After Webb Simpson carded four straight birdies, Luke Donald answered with six in a row en route to a 64. His win Sunday, coupled with Simpson’s tie for sixth, means the Englishman wins the PGA Tour money title in addition to the European tour’s. How impressed are you with Donald for adding this week’s event to his schedule so he’d have a chance to win the money title, and then actually doing it?

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Donald is clearly 2011′s player of the year. Very impressive way to wrap up the season. Now if he could only …

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I loved it. It was all the more special because the two contenders played together all four days. Kudos to the PGA Tour for pairing them for the first two days, and what are the odds that they’d shoot similar enough scores to be paired the last two days? It was a classic horse race.

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: Donald wrapped up player of the year. A studly thing to do, start to finish.

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: It was easy to nit-pick Donald as No. 1, with his poor play at the Opens and only one previous win this year in the U.S. This awesome win now becomes the signature accomplishment of his reign — so far.

Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: Luke always seemed like a not very happy guy. In retrospect, I guess that’s because he knew what he was capable of achieving, and he wasn’t achieving it. I’m happy for him and his team, especially his coach, Pat Goss, a good guy who’s been in Luke’s corner since he recruited him to Northwestern.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: As cool and impressive a performance as we’ve seen in a long time. Needing a win, he won, and that’s something only Tiger Woods used to be able to do.

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: Exactly. That’s what I found most impressive. And, he started from a considerable number of strokes back before making a back-nine run. Sound familiar?

Jeff Ritter, senior producer, Golf.com: Can’t ask for much more from the final event of fall golf. Donald hit another gear on the back nine and proved he’s No. 1 and the player of the year. Let the countdown to Augusta begin.

Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: It’s weird to say because of the pile of cash he won, but Donald’s decision to play almost feels like a selfless act because it was such a boost for the Tour at the end of the season. Of course the run-of-the-mill NFL games today will still get more coverage, but good for Luke for showing up to make it interesting, and then delivering. Player of the year, and No. 1 in the world — no doubt.

Godich: Don’t forget Simpson. He got the ball rolling by playing last week, and saying it was with the intent of passing Donald in the money-title race. And then he delivered as well with a strong showing.

Mick Rouse, SI Golf+ Intern: I can’t help but wonder how much bigger a story the chase for the money title would have been if Tiger and Phil were competing for it. It’s a shame to think that a great sports story like this will go overlooked.

Gorant: Why is it a shame? The chase generated interest proportional to the popularity of the people involved. Tiger and Phil would have generated more interest because they’ve achieved a (whole) lot more over a long period of time. Plus, they have personas that have extended beyond the game.

Hanger: I think the question speaks to the difference between those guys and Luke and Webb. Tiger and Phil never would’ve shown up for these events just to win the money title.

Herre: Right. Woods and Mickelson won a sort of money title when they first turned pro.

Tell us what you think: Is Luke Donald your pick for player of the year?

WHO NEEDS A MAJOR THE MOST?
Dusek: Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley are never going to be asked, “So, when are you going to win a major?” Which player most needs to win a major championship in 2012 in order to validate his place in the golf world: Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Steve Stricker or Dustin Johnson?

Godich: It has to be Donald. He is the clear No. 1 in the world, but …

Gorant: Well, in terms of career achievements, Donald is the best player without a major, so I guess it’s him. D.J. is probably the most talented of the crew and has had the best chances. Westwood and Stricker are both overachievers, in my book.

Ritter: Luke has to be first off that list; he’s done everything else, and now it’s time to deliver in a major. I’d rank Stricker second simply because, at 44, his time is quickly running out.

Herre: I would rank them in this order, neediest first: Donald, Johnson, Westwood, Stricker.

Godich: Why do you have Johnson so high? He’s going to have many more shots than Westwood and Stricker.

Hanger: Not much argument at the top of the list, but I’d put Westwood at 2, Stricker at 3 and D.J. at 4. Johnson has a lot of years left, but time’s running out on Stricker and Westwood.

Shipnuck: Westy, Luke, D.J., Stricks.

Wei: Westy, Luke, Stricker and then D.J. No rush for Johnson, and no doubt he’ll win several majors if he can stop pulling “Dustin Johnsons.”

Herre: Johnson is probably the most gifted of the bunch and is already viewed as a slacker by some. He needs to shake that rep, and there’s only one way. A win by Donald would be all about validation. I no longer expect Westwood or Stricker to win a major.

Morfit: As much as I want Westwood to get it done, I think Jim is right. At some point, because of the sheer number of close calls and his advancing years, his crazy run of near-misses went from encouraging to deflating.

Shipnuck: I say Westy because he’s older than Luke and his brief reign at No. 1 was much less impressive. His window is closing.

Tell us what you think: Who needs to win a major the most: Donald, Westwood, Johnson or Stricker?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

SHOULD FRED COUPLES HAVE SELECTED HIMSELF FOR THE PRESIDENTS CUP TEAM?
Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Let’s start with Fred Couples. He won the Champions Tour event in San Antonio this week by seven strokes . Honest-to-God, if they changed the rules and you could do it, would you fire Tiger from the team and make Fred your playing captain? I would in a heartbeat! I trust Jay Haas more with the lineup card anyhow, and I think Fred brings more game and comes with no baggage. How cool would that be?

Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: I’d agree, except I think there’s a big difference between the oldies tour and the PGA Tour. Could FC shine at Royal Melbourne? Maybe, but I’d still pick Tiger.

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: Thanks, but no thanks. Great guy, great player but history of coming up small when the pressure is on–although he’s done his share in the team events. Not much pressure in San Antonio.

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Fred: Very cool. There’s nobody I’d rather watch swing the club. Ever.

Herre: Interesting scenario, for sure, but a pipe dream. The fix was in for Woods from the get-go.

Gorant: Couples has always been great in the team events, but the Champions Tour is more like a Wednesday pro-am. I’ll pass.

Morfit: I think Tiger just needs to play tournaments, and he knows it. If he doesn’t, than all this work with Foley won’t amount to anything.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Love Fred, but he’s had his day.

Morfit: What if they had Ryder and Prez Cups for old guys? Might not even be safe. Better bring the defib paddles!

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: There’d be a whole lot of yippin’ going on.

Jeff Ritter, senior producer, Golf.com: I’ll give you this, Michael: if Freddy was somehow allowed to dump Tiger and put himself on the Prez Cup team, it would be the biggest golf story of the year — even bigger than “Hot Dog Guy.”

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: As good as it looks, nothing on the Champions Tour carries over to the PGA Tour. Totally different worlds, mindsets, etc. Winning 10 times as a senior is no hint to how somebody will do on the big tour.

Morfit: Michael, your man DL3 is going to make a killing on that tour. Might be a good time to dust off your caddie skills and try and get that bag by any means necessary.

Bamberger: This whole question of Fred picking Tiger is not going away. Greg Norman, the International team’s captain, told a Florida newspaper the other day, “I can understand the name of a Tiger Woods and his history of what he’s done on the golf course,” Norman said. “But I pick the guys who I think are ready to get in there and play and have performed to the highest levels leading up to it.” This whole debate is one of the best things to ever happen to the Presidents Cup, don’t you think? I’ve never cared so much!

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: The Shark is trying to get into Tiger’s head. Whatever happened to these things being friendly competitions? But it gives everyone one more reason to watch.

Morfit: When I interviewed Greg for Golf Magazine I sense that he was frustrated Tiger wasn’t reaching out to the right people, like people who’ve actually been No. 1 and in the public eye. Like Greg, in other words.

Herre: Of course Norman is right. Woods would never have been a captain’s pick if this was the Ryder Cup. I’ve always enjoyed the Presidents Cup, and think it really came of age in 2003 in South Africa, but putting Woods on the team for obvious commercial reasons is a travesty and a setback for the event.

Shipnuck: The best thing to happen to this Prez Cup is Norman’s yapping. It guarantees Tiger will come to play.

Lipsey: Tiger’s scenario is the only thing to make anybody give a hoot about a Presidents Cup on the other side of the world.

Bamberger: Oh, no, Rick–don’t agree. I’ve never been to Australia but I have to think Greg Norman captaining a team with Adam Scott–and Steve Williams!–will be a really big deal Down Under and in various Asian countries. What do you think, folks, are you feeling more P-Cup fever this time?

Lipsey: I’m talking stateside interest, and let’s face it, the majority of the golf TV audience is in the U.S.

Godich: I’ve got to admit that the time difference makes it tough.

Gorant: Well, I’d say that the majority of the U.S. TV audience is in the U.S. Lots of people in Australia, and they love sports. Then add in all the Asian countries….

John Garrity, contributing writer, Sports Illustrated: I like it BETTER when the World is the home team. The best P-Cup was the tie in South Africa, and the crowds were definitely into it when the Ints beat us Down Under.

Lipsey: Winning cures everything in sports. If, and it’s a big IF, Woods plays well, it’s the choice of the century.

Godich: No, it won’t be. We’re not going to learn a heck of a lot about the state of Tiger’s game based on what he does in an exhibition.

Lipsey: But Fred will look great because the world will see pix and hear stories about Tiger’s great play.

Bamberger: Well, I do feel it could be a big help to Tiger is he plays well, just as it was to Adam Scott two years ago. That’s part of what I object to here: it’s all good for Tiger, but what about the team?

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: You’re right about one thing: Absolutely no one was talking about the President’s Cup until Fred announced that the struggling Tiger was a lock. From a public relations standpoint, it was a slam dunk. Do you want the Prez Cup to be like the All-Star Game? The starting lineup is who the fans want, not necessarily the best players. As captain, I’d pick the hot hands, as Norman did. On the other hand, what happens if Tiger plays lousy and the U.S. loses? I’ll tell you what happens–nothing. We move on.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Bamberger: Well, I think you’re all correct about Fred. A 62 on the Champions Tour, short course, easy hole locations, is maybe a 67 or something on the regular tour. But the point is, he can still really play. By that I mean, when he’s playing well he’s a true force. Playing partner golf and team golf would only make things easier for him. If Fred played a full (for him) regular Tour schedule, do you think he could win? I say he could. I think he’s as good now as he was five years ago, and probably putts better. He’s really a strangely unique figure in the game, just because of his high, high skill level and how little it yielded.

Godich: “When he’s playing well, he’s a true force.” You could say that about a lot of guys.

Herre: The thing is, Michael, Couples’s back has been in and out for 20 years. I don’t think he’d last long if he had to play a 7,500-yard course every week.

Hack: A full PGA Tour schedule for Fred would yield a few exciting weeks. Contention in L.A. and Houston, a round or two of intrigue at Augusta. I just don’t think the putter will allow for much more.

Garrity: But that’s what’s so intriguing about Couples, Damon. He’s a better putter now than he was a decade ago, when he was very “jabby” on the greens. Maybe it’s the slower greens, but I don’t close my eyes anymore when he’s bent over a 4-footer.

Morfit: A full PGA Tour schedule for Fred would yield a few exciting weeks. Contention in L.A. and Houston, a round or two of intrigue at Augusta. I just don’t think the putter will allow for much more. If they held every tournament at Riviera and or Augusta, he’d be in business. Which reminds me, I got dibs on Fred for Masters pool.

Van Sickle: I think we’ve already seen that Fred can’t putt quite well enough to win on the PGA Tour anymore. Maybe he could catch lightning in a bottle one week. I’d love to see it but I don’t think he can keep his back healthy enough to practice long enough to get his game sharp enough again to win on the big tour.

Tell us what you think: If the rules allowed for the late switch, who would you rather see playing on the U.S. Presidents Cup team: Tiger or Freddy?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

ASSESSING TIGERS LATEST COMEBACK

Mike Walker, senior editor, Golf Magazine: Welcome back to another round of PGA Tour Confidential. Weve got a lot to get through, so lets get started with the topic of the week: Tiger Woods. (Sorry, Briny Baird and Bryce Molder.) After pronouncing himself fit and healthy enough for sufficient practice time with swing coach Sean Foley, Tiger showed up at the Frys.com Open at CordeValle and finished T30, with rounds of 73-68-68-68. What did you think of Tigers performance this week, and did he change your view of his long-term prospects?

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: It was about what I expected: some spectacular shot-making, but the consistency still isn’t there. He has to be concerned about the short game. The putter is not cooperating, and what is up with his bunker play? I’ll say it again: the guy needs to play more.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Tiger always talks about getting in his reps. He played four rounds with a cut in the first time in forever. He needs way more reps. There’s no evidence that he’s going to get them.

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Tiger made some good swings, some bad swings, threw his driver, missed some putts, made some putts and continued to play inconsistent golf. It’s what I expected to see.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: A mixed bag for Tiger. Some good signs, some causes for concern. As Mr. Bamberger said, he needs more reps, more tournaments.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: Tiger’s performance was a Turn of the Screw type of thing: you can see whatever you want to see. If you think he’s done, you’ll focus on the missed putts and fairways and mediocre finish. If you believe hes going to win again, you’ll see the holed putts, moments of crisp iron play and improvement from his last appearance. I think he looks like he’s on the way, but this week won’t change anyone’s mind.

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: Tiger shot three straight rounds in the 60s for the first time this year, which shows progress. I can’t believe we’re applauding him for his “consistent” play and T30 finish at the Frys.com Open. How times have changed!

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I can’t get jazzed about a T30 during football season. Three 68s are solid, but this is Tiger Woods we’re talking about.

Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: Definitely inconsistent, but hes making enough birdies to win some matches at the Presidents Cup. Couples must be feeling pretty good about his pick. Not great, but pretty good. Imagine Freddys mood if Tiger had blown up and missed the cut?

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I actually thought he showed improvement. The scary thing is that Tiger plays well in stretches and then makes a truly awful swing. He’s just as likely to miss left as right. That just destroys your confidence.

Van Sickle: Alan is right. He doesn’t look like one of the 12 best players in America and certainly doesn’t seem ready for a Presidents Cup. Of course, he’s a captain’s pick so it’s not as if he’s expected to play all five matches. If he were going to step aside and let Keegan Bradley take his place, he would’ve done so by now. Fred can fit Tiger in when and where he wants in Australia. But I don’t think we’ll see him five times.

Godich: Fred has to be wondering how wise it would be to send him out in alternate shot.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: It would be very surprising if Tiger sits even one match.

Bamberger: I agree. Tiger’s strength is his intimidation factor, not based on how he’s playing but on his 14 majors.

Van Sickle: I disagree. If Tiger is playing like this, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t sit for at least one match. Fred has to be more concerned about whether Steve Stricker is going to be healthy enough to play.

Tell us what you think: Did Tiger show that he is deserving of being a Presidents Cup captain’s pick?

SHOULD TIGER PLAY ANOTHER FALL SERIES EVENT?
Walker:: After his round, Tiger said he wouldnt be adding another Fall Series event prior to the Presidents Cup because he was pretty busy. Bad idea, or will this tournament and some more practice with coach Sean Foley in Florida be enough to get ready for November?

Dusek: Busy with what? If Tiger’s children are going to be staying with him, I give him a partial pass, but he’s been “off” since the PGA Championship in early August. Tiger said he needs to play more, to compete more, but instead of adding another event he’s going back into hibernation. Bad idea.

Shipnuck: All he needs is more reps. Which he’ll get in, like, a month. His schedule is utterly baffling.

Wei: I get that he wants to be a good dad, but would it be impossible to switch weekends or something? The Disney is right up the road from him.

Godich: With all the good shots he hit this week, Tiger had something he could have really built on. I don’t know what more reps with Foley will do. The only way Tiger is going to get his edge back is by teeing it up in competition.

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group This tournament was all about keeping the critics off Fred Coupless back. Our Presidents Cup captain first said that TW didnt have to prove anything to be a captains pick. Outrage ensued. Then Couples said TW had to play in a Fall Series event, and he did.

Van Sickle: Once again, Tiger wins no charm points for his curt Golf Channel interview, in which he largely failed to answer the questions. He completely dodged the question about the state of his game now. Nothing has changed; it’s still Tiger against the world (all of us). I’m sure he can’t wait to reclaim his place at the top, but that day, if it ever happens, is a ways off. You’d think it wouldn’t be too tough to play a tour event in Orlando. But that’s his choice. It’s too early to second guess it.

Bamberger: Just the suggestion of Tiger playing more fall golf must bruise his ego. He should play more, of course, but we see him only as a professional golfer, and he sees much more.

Hack: It would have been cool to see Tiger on a love-of-the-game barnstorming tour of the Fall Series. Not realistic, I know, but cool.

Van Sickle: Another reason for Tiger to play more, especially early next year, is the circus atmosphere at the Frys.com, caused by his rare appearance. Tiger playing is like spotting a rare endangered bird or Howard Hughes. That just adds to the pressure of the week for him. He needs to get out and play 20 or 22 times on Tour next year and get his career back to normal. At least, normal for him.

Bamberger: Tiger’s never played a heavy schedule, and he certainly won’t start now. The less he plays, the more demand there is for him.

Godich: He doesn’t care about the demand. He just wants to win majors.

Tell us what you think: Should Tiger play another Fall Series event?

Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

TIGER RETURNS (AGAIN) THIS WEEK
Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: We begin this week’s Tour Confidential with a favorite topic — Tiger Woods. He’s out of the top 50 for the first time in almost 50 years, and he’s back in action this week in Gilroy, Calif., at the Frys.com Open. That could be even more interesting than we thought after a report that Tiger posted a 62 in a friendly round at Florida’s tough Medalist track. How excited are you to see Tiger again, and what do you expect from him this week?

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Assuming Tiger has been practicing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do some damage this week. He needs to play well to validate his spot on the Presidents Cup team.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: If Tiger did find the center of the clubface for four straight days and started making putts like he did in the days of yore, it would give the game one heck of a boost. Not that 2011 wasn’t interesting and fun, but Tiger is Tiger.

Mick Rouse, SI Golf+ Intern: How big of a difference is there between excited and intrigued? It’s great to hear that Tiger had a good day, but there is a big difference between tournament play and a “friendly round.” Can he play that well through an entire tournament? Either way, after receiving the captain’s pick, Tiger has a lot to prove. I’m sure Couples is praying that Tiger shoots a 62 this week just to get the naysayers off his back.

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Personally, I’m done with Tiger prognosticating. We’ve been doing it non-stop for nearly two years. I’ll get excited when he starts posting good scores in tourneys, not playing giggle golf with pals.

Herre: Alan, even you have to admit there’s interest every time Woods tees it up. We will be talking about him until the day he retires to a desert island, and you would be the first to swim over and check it out.

Shipnuck: Sure, I’m part of the problem. And I will indeed be at the Fry’s, live-tweeting (follow @AlanShipnuck) Tiger’s every twitch on Thursday. It’ll be cool to watch him, as it always is. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna get jolly four days early.

Rouse: I was never under the impression that bad golf was cool to watch, and that is all we’ve really gotten out of TW in the past two years.

Van Sickle: Let’s not forget, if two putts drop, even with his game in utter disarray, Tiger may well have won the last two Masters. He didn’t, but the man hasn’t forgotten everything about how to play the game.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: I expect Tiger’s game from tee to green to be better than it was at Atlanta Athletic Club, which isn’t saying much, because he’s had more than a month to engrain Sean Foley’s ideas. As far as contending or winning, that all depends on how well he putts. The field is fairly strong for a Fall Series event (Els, Cabrera, etc.), so he’s going to need to make some putts to win.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: Mildly interested, but the buzz is gone. Maybe some wins would bring it back.

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: I’m worn out on these “Tiger is looking good” sightings. Tiger’s played well at times this year, but his biggest problem has been putting four rounds together under tournament pressure.

Hack: I can’t get excited about 62s away from the TV cameras, gallery ropes and the general public.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Right. It’s not news that Tiger can shoot 62 in a friendly golf game. The issue with his swing changes is whether they’ll hold up on Sunday afternoons, and by that I don’t mean a Sunday afternoon at the Frys.com.

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I expect more of the same: spectacular stretches sprinkled among some head-scratching shots, leading to a tie for 28th.

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: I’m intrigued with how Tiger will do, but not enough to fly across the country! I’ll definitely tune in to the telecast Thursday, but I’m not banking on anything just because he played well at his (new-ish) home course with his buds. Like I said last week, Tiger’s decision to hire Joe LaCava inspires more confidence in his comeback. I’m interested to see their chemistry.

Lipsey: If a severely deflated and devalued Woods is golf’s biggest draw, it shows the sport has dropped back to being, well, golf as we knew it before 1997.

Herre: Rick, Tiger is a tragic figure now, and we can’t avert our eyes.

Van Sickle: There’s no if, Rick. Tiger is still golf’s biggest attraction. Sure, there’s more of a curiosity factor now, but people still want to see him. He’s one 65 away from reigniting some level of hysteria.

Hack: No question about it, GVS. There was buzz with Muhammad Ali even when he had no business fighting Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Tiger will be a draw and a curiosity forever.

Dusek: Just the pace of this Confidential shows what Tiger Woods does. We haven’t had this many people responding so quickly in a Confidential since the PGA Championship. Tiger quickens people’s pulses.

Van Sickle: Is anyone as excited to see Tiger back as Golf Channel is? They’re already promoting the Frys.com like it’s a semi-major.

Shipnuck: The promotion is way over-the-top. Can’t they find someone in the top 50 to trumpet?

Dusek: For the Golf Channel, this is a major.

Bamberger: Golf Channel’s promotion smells like desperation. It’s awful.

Van Sickle: I’m sure Frys.com is happy to pump up Tiger. This is the tournament’s finest hour, finally landing him in a fall event. It wouldn’t be shocking if Frys wound up as the sponsor on Tiger’s bag eventually.

Wei: If I were Golf Channel, I would promote it like a major, too. Like it or not, every time Tiger is in the field, it creates buzz.

Dusek: When someone else in the top 50 elicits as much reaction from the fans, either positive or negative, Golf Channel will cover that player like Tiger.

Tell us what you think: How will Tiger do this week?

IF HE’S OFF HIS GAME, SHOULD HE GIVE UP HIS SPOT?
Van Sickle: If Tiger tanks, should he turn in his Presidents Cup spot and let captain Couples bring in PGA champion Keegan Bradley? Or is Tiger’s marquee value to the President Cup so big that it doesn’t matter whether he’s in form or not?

Wei: He should, but he does add a whole lot of value to the Cup, especially for all the fans and taxpayers in Australia who want him there.

Herre: I don’t think TW’s form matters, which may be the biggest difference between the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup.

Shipnuck: It’s like a Republican businessman being asked to be an ambassador by a Democratic president — you have an obligation to serve. (That’s what Jon Huntsman says.)

Bamberger: If Tiger tanks, it’s like an ace pitcher getting hit on a rehab assignment. It means nothing. Nothing short of injury is going to stop Tiger from playing on Fred’s team. It’s Step 1 in the newest version of his reality TV show, How I Reclaimed My Old Life.

Rouse: I would be beyond shocked if Woods turned in his spot. Fact is, Bradley should have received the pick, not Tiger. Obviously someone out there, though, believes his value to the Presidents Cup is worthwhile. It’s definitely getting the event some major attention.

Dusek: Tiger isn’t going to give up his spot on the Presidents Cup team no matter how he plays. Bradley deserves to be on the team, but at this point that debate is over.

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

HAAS A SMART PRESIDENTS CUP PICK?
Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated : What an unbelievable day of golf. I’m still coming down from all the adrenalineand I never left my couch! My heart’s in Ireland, but we should probably start at the Tour Championship. Forget the FedEx Cup, let’s talk Presidents Cup. Due to his blind allegiance to Tiger Woods, Fred Couples now has to decide between PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley and Tour Championship victor Bill Haas for his final captain’s pick. Who do you pick, and why? (And if anyone takes Fowler, they’re gonna get the back of the hairbrush.)

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I’d pick Bradley and hope Stricker’s shoulder/neck keeps him out so you can take both.

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Yes, both Haas and Bradley would be ideal, but the Presidents Cup is still a ways away, and my guess is Sticker will be OK. I’d go with Haas.

Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: I think Bill Haas takes it. You have to pick the guy who’s hot, even though the Presidents Cup isn’t for another month and a half.

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I’ll take Haas. Anybody who can make three consecutive saves in a playoff with $11.4 million on the line is good enough for me.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: It’s a real toss-up, but I’d probably go with Bradley. Winning majors trumps money and other titles.

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: I’d pick Keegan. Haas’s win was impressive, especially his up-and-down from the lake in the playoff, but winning a PGA Tour event and then a major beats winning a no-cut, 30-player money grab.

Mick Rouse, SI Golf+ Intern: You have to go with Haas. He showed some grit out there and produced an amazing shot when he needed it most.

Gorant: You saw the end of the PGA Championship, right? Keegan birdied two of the last three with the big coffee urn on the line, and then took the playoff.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’m taking Keegan. But, really, Bill deserves a spot, too, and Tiger should be the odd man out.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: If I’m Fred, I call Tiger Woods and tell him I changed my mind. You’re out, and I’m taking Bradley and Haas.

Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.

Shipnuck: Given his, uh, non-linear thinking, Fred could probably get away with that. He’s the only one who could.

Van Sickle: If the Presidents Cup points list was determined over one year, like the Ryder Cup, instead of two, Bradley surely would’ve made it. In fact, it’s still unbelievable that he can have two wins, one of them a major, and not be among the top 10. Haas and Bradley both deserve to be on the team. I don’t know how you pick between them. You shouldn’t have to.

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: I think Bill has the spot locked. Keegan has two wins, including a major, but he missed the first two cuts in the playoffs and didn’t do anything too outstanding at the BMW or Tour Championship. He actually started well in both and then fell back. Meanwhile, Haas redeemed himself after he shot 42 on the back nine in Chicago. To come up clutch today was very impressive. Bill’s dad, Jay, an assistant captain for the team, said: “You’d think if Brandt Snedeker or Keegan Bradley or Bill wins the tournament this week, then they should get that spot, perhaps, but again, I’m going to stay out of it.” Peter Jacobson said it was “automatic” to pick Bill.

Shipnuck: I take Bradley. He just has a certain flair about his game that I like. Now, about Freddy. Do we go after him now or later for gifting a spot to Tiger?

Lipsey: Woods has no business getting a pick; he’s running on the distant fumes of 14 majors and 71 Tour victories.

Herre: I find it interesting that Couples found a way to get his old pal and caddie, Joe LaCava, to Australia for the Presidents Cup — have captain’s pick Tiger Woods hire LaCava!

Hack: Tiger is a ratings bonanza, a legend, and maybe the most important golfer ever, but he still didn’t earn a spot on the team.

Dusek: If Tiger doesn’t show much game at the Frys.com Open, wouldn’t it be a solid move for him to give his spot to either Keegan or Bill? I know, the team will already be set, and I couldn’t even type that with a straight face, but still …. it would be cool.

Van Sickle: I agree. This might be a good time for Tiger to step back and say, ‘Fred, I’m not sure my game is where I want it, and these other guys earned a spot. Take me off the team.’ TV would be miffed, but it would be a selfless act on Tiger’s part.

Morfit: Great idea. Love it. Obviously not going to happen. Finchem would be apoplectic. Far more likely that Stricker will sit out.

Shipnuck: Vans, that would be damn near his first ever selfless act, at least when it comes to his golf.

Van Sickle: Exactly. That’s why it would play so well and help his bedraggled public image.

Dusek: Tiger will be on the hook to make Couples look good. If Tiger tanks in Australia, Freddie sinks, too. If Tiger comes through and wins points, Couples looks like a genius.

Tell us what you think: Should Couples select Haas, Bradley or someone else for the Presidents Cup team?

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Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

THOMPSON’S PRESENT AND FUTURE
Charlie Hanger, executive editor, Golf.com: One thing I learned today: It’s much easier to get into fall golf and the FedEx Cup playoffs when your NFL team stinks. Thank you Kansas City Chiefs for not distracting me from Lexi Thompson’s historic win and the final round of the BMW! Thompson has been on this track for some time, but where do we think she’s headed, and how does her game compare to other phenoms, like Michelle Wie, at this age?

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: She’s headed to No. 1; it’s just a question of when. She has as much talent as Wie but none of the demons and a fraction of the external pressure.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’ll second that. Youngest winner in 61 years of the LPGA Tour, and she has two years to spare? She’s the real deal. I love her game and her family dynamic, with older brothers who have helped shape her competitive spirit.

Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: Wie seems to be a really engaged person who’s about more than golf. Lexi seems to be all about the game, which I think gives her greater upside. Her swing isn’t as beautiful to look at as Wie’s was, but she’s tall like Michelle, long, and she’s got the pedigree. I think she’s going to tear it up.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: The difference between Wie and Lexi is simple. Wie wanted to experience real life and go to a real college, Stanford. Lexi wanted to play pro golf, period. Lexi has the kind of power, like Wie, to dominate the women’s tour. She seems more driven, too. If she continues to improve her short game and putting, she’s got No. 1 potential. She’s certainly going to be the No. 1 American woman player in short order.

(Have a question for Gary Van Sickle’s mailbag? E-mail editor@golf.com or ask it on Facebook.)

Shipnuck: Wie has always been focused on technical precision and never really learned to win. Lexi grew up trying to beat her brothers. Their competitive makeup is very different.

Van Sickle: Alan is right on the money. Lexi has a lot more experience winning than Michelle does. Michelle, at the moment, has a lot bigger bank account. That, too will change.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Michelle Wie had a better swing, a better putting stroke, a more polished program behind her at 16. And Lexi’s better in every other way. She’s dog-eat-dog. I love watching her play.

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: I don’t think there’s ever been a question that Lexi was going to be a huge star. Hopefully she keeps winning consistently because the LPGA could really use a marketable American star. And like Van Sickle said, Lexi doesn’t have any outside interests other than playing golf, so she can focus all her attention on that.

Hanger: She certainly seems to have the talent to do whatever she wants, but I always worry about burnout for someone who accomplishes so much so young.

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: I don’t see burnout as an issue for Lexi. She can’t get enough. Wie may have been burned out before she escaped to Stanford — a lot of pressure from the parents in her case.

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: Right now there are not enough events for her to burn out. Hopefully she’s the next superstar because a dominant American is something the LPGA really needs.

Wei: Thing is, winning doesn’t automatically earn her a Tour card for next year, and she may still have to go to Q-school. That’s lame. I mean, she just became the youngest winner on the LPGA by two years!

[Editors' note: To be granted membership, Thompson would have to petition the LPGA to waive the 18-year-old age requirement, which the tour already waived for qualifying school. On Sunday, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan sounded as if Thompson would have to play her way in. "Should Lexi qualify for LPGA membership via her Q-School performance, she will be an LPGA member for the 2012 season," Whan said in a statement.]

Hack: Her petition should be granted. The LPGA needs Lexi.

Reiterman: They should just tell her she can join next year when she’s 17. Making her go through Q-school is a waste of her time.

Herre: Bet the ranch that Lexi is an LPGA member in 2012, one way or another.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: I bet the Solheim Cup team wishes they had her. She’s got more game than some women on the U.S. team.

Van Sickle: The LPGA is out of its mind if it doesn’t exempt Lexi. For one, it’s a simple matter of fairness. Two, she’s already the next best thing the tour has to an American star. (Wie still has the marquee name and drawing power.) If you let a player compete on your tour and she wins and doesn’t get the exemption that others would have gotten, you’re going to get killed in the court of public opinion. And if it came down to it, you’d lose in a real court, too.

Lipsey: Whan and the LPGA are just being careful about this, not wanting to move too fast and set any grand new rules. It looks like a no brainer to give her the green light, but there are A LOT more bad stories from teenage prodigies in sports than there are good stories. Whan wants have this one end up in the good category.

Wei: I agree with the concerns on teen prodigies, especially girls, but it’s not the LPGA’s job to parent. The tour’s job is to give the best players in the world a place to play.

Van Sickle: And golf is unlike many other pro sports because there’s no subjectivity. If you shoot good enough scores, you win. You qualify. How can they possibly keep her out? Unlike Maurice Clarett and his failed NFL suit, Lexi would have a very strong court case if she is denied membership. Not that she’d likely pursue it. As Jim said, it’s a moot point. She’ll be in next year.

Lipsey: I don’t think she’ll generate very much interest. Nice player, but unless she wins many majors, not a Q-rating maker.

Mike Walker, senior editor, Golf Magazine: Good point, Rick. We’re talking about her like she’s a big star, but that’s a long way off. Plus, Lexi can only be a marketing machine and attendance/ratings draw if she’s promoted as the female Tiger Woods, but those expectations are impossible and can be damaging, especially for a 16-year-old. It wasn’t just Wie’s parents who put all that pressure on her.

Tell us what you think: Is Lexi Thompson the real deal? Could she make you more interested in the LPGA?

Every week of the 2011 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors and join the conversation in the comments section below.

FEDEX CUP PREDICTIONS
Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: The last two events in the FedEx Cup are coming up, starting with the BMW in Chicago this week. Any predictions?

Stephanie Wei, contributor, SI Golf+: If Dustin Johnson is putting even half decent, he’ll defend his title at the BMW this week.

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: I was surprised to hear mild-mannered Midwesterner Steve Stricker trash Cog Hill. He must REALLY hate Rees Jones’s renovation to be so candid with his criticism.

Gorant: Trashing Rees has almost become a sport in itself. Seems like whenever they play a Jones course these days it’s a race to the nearest tape recorder to have at it. Maybe one of these days Geoff Shackelford will get his big shot.

Rick Lipsey, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: A pro who teaches at Cog Hill gave me a similarly unflattering review of the new layout.

David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: It seems like every time we get to this point with Phil Mickelson — close to writing him off as too analytic, too inconsistent — he surprises us with stunning golf like he played in Houston this year. With a week off to practice with that belly putter, I wouldn’t be shocked if Phil has a really, really good week in Chicago.

Ryan Reiterman, senior producer, Golf.com: Only that it’s going to unpredictable like pretty much everything in the AT 2.0 (After Tiger 2.0) era. However I would be surprised if Steve Stricker doesn’t play himself in the mix in one of the last two events.

Herre: I predict that someone using a belly putter will win.

Gorant: Good call, but I’m with D.J. Although I’m not sure if that’s a wish or a prediction.

Mike Walker, senior editor, Golf Magazine: It will be interesting to see how the belly/long putters fare these next two weeks. If Adam Scott, Webb Simpson or Phil Mickelson takes home $10 million, then it will be like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” The long putters will instantly be everywhere.

Gorant: What about the whole thing, who do you like to take home the $10 mil in Atlanta?

Dusek: My head tells me Dustin Johnson should overpower East Lake, but I still have trouble picking him. I’ll be fascinated to see what the off-week does to Webb Simpson. Hot players want to keep playing, so how is he going to handle the spotlight that comes with being in contention to win $10 million? We know what we’ll get from Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar.

Herre: Total long shot, but I’m gonna say Matt Kuchar, this year’s version of 2010 winner Jim Furyk. From start to finish, Kuchar may have had the most consistent season of anyone. All that’s missing is a win.

Reiterman: I don’t know all the possible scenarios, but I hope there’s one where Luke Donald can win the FedEx Cup without winning a playoff event.

Walker: Adam Scott. The long putter has given him confidence, and so has his familiar-looking caddie.

Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Adam Scott loves East Lake. I’ll pick him to win the $10 mil.

Lipsey: Adam Scott. Steve Williams will be the first caddie to win FedEx titles with two different players by his side, as Stevie might say himself.

Mark Godich, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I’ll take Webb Simpson. He’s atop the standings, he’s won twice in the last month, he has a slew of top 10s. Plus, the way this season has gone, we’ll have first-time winners in the last two events.

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I’ll predict that the awards ceremony will be awkward as there will be two different champions — the Tour Championship winner and the FedEx Cup winner. And the Tour Championship winner will get short shrift. How many people — even us golf watchers — can even name the top five in the FedEx points list? That’s still a problem.

Lipsey: Does it really matter? I’ll revert back to the old and trusty Ice Capades analogy, but in a positive way. The FedEx Cup is like an a series of all-star games. It doesn’t really matter who’s contending. Fans just know it’s big-time guys competing for big-time cash, and that in itself is a big-time draw.

Tell us what you think: Who’s going to win the FedEx Cup playoffs?

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