1. Dreaming of an altered playoff systemNow in its 10th year, the FedEx Cup playoffs have been the source of considerable discussion -- and sometimes derision. Whether its the points formula or the overall format or all manner of other aspects, the four-tournament playoff system to end the season is such that there are no shortage of better ways to conduct what is a season-ending financial boon to the players.Heres another idea: reduce the playoffs from four events to three.With the end to its second contract with Federal Express coming at the end of the 2017 season, now is the time for the PGA Tour to make a change that would enhance the competition and allow for more scheduling flexibility.In this case, less is more, and it can be accomplished because of Deutsche Banks exit as a title sponsor of the just-completed event won by Rory McIlroy at TPC Boston on Monday. The tour announced last week at EMC Corporation would take over as the title in 2017, but did not say the length of the sponsorship.When asked, PGA Tour vice president Ty Votaw said we have not commented on the duration of the EMC agreement other than it is certainly good through 2017.That suggests the deal is for just one year with hopes of extending it. That is what the tour does; it attempts to extract maximum sponsorship dollars and offer playing opportunities, especially lucrative ones, to its members. If so, then having just three playoff events is not in the plans, although Votaw did say that we have been extremely pleased with how a four-event FedEx Cup playoff has performed over the past 10 years, but like we have done every year since its inception we will continue to examine all aspects of the structure after this years playoffs are completed.The tour is in the midst of negotiating to extend its agreement with FedEx beyond next year, one that has paid $35 million in bonus money to the players -- including $10 million to the winner -- dating to 2007.2. Why it would be betterHaving three playoff events -- presumably the Barclays, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship -- would create more urgency and drama. Four events -- especially in years when there is no off week -- often seems too long. While the players are never going to turn their backs on $8.5-million purses, many of those same players often complain about running out of energy at this time of year.A three-tournament playoff would give the tour the opportunity to create some space between the PGA Championship and the start of the playoffs. If it went to just 100 players qualifying for the first event, those last regular events on the PGA Tour scheduling would have even more meaning. And perhaps this forces players to compete earlier in the season to accrue points.As it is now, there are typically a handful of players who sit out at least one of the tournaments. Sergio Garcia was among the no-shows at the Barclays and has skipped at least one playoff event several times. Henrik Stenson is taking off the BMW this week to rest his knee. With just three tournaments, perfect attendance is more likely. Perhaps the points structure could be tweaked again to make skipping prohibitive, with a swifter run to the overall champion.3. What about Boston?This is not to suggest that the Deutsche Bank Championship -- which dates to 2003 -- should be scrapped. If EMC wants to stay on as a title sponsor beyond 2017, why not make it a big-money event the week prior to the playoffs? A last chance to keep a card (top 125), make the playoffs (top 100) or enhance the overall FedEx Cup chances? In this scenario, no off week would be needed during the playoffs which means the tour could elect to move up the end to its season or play two more events -- as opposed to just one -- following the PGA Championship.4. Bye-bye Bubba?Could the seventh-ranked player in the world be left off the U.S. Ryder Cup team? Given his recent form, Bubba Watsons chances at an at-large selection should be anything but a given.Since winning at Riviera and finishing second at Doral in early March, Watson has just two top-10s -- both were eighth-place finishes, one at a European Tour event in China following the Masters, the other at the Olympic Golf Tournament. Watson has not been awful -- his only missed cut came at the Deutsche Bank Championship, although that is definitely awful timing.Another troubling factor for Watson: he is just 3-8 in his three Ryder Cup appearances and is 0-3 in singles.5. And Furyk, tooJim Furyk was gaining traction as a possible at-large pick for Davis?Love III, even though he is 46, in possession of a poor Ryder Cup record and missed a good part of this year due to injury. But thats the point: since returning, Furyk has been solid, if not spectacular. He finished second at the U.S. Open. He had that 58 at the Travelers Championship. Hes got experience, and the respect of his teammates. Hes a vice captain and will someday be a Ryder Cup captain.All of that fit into the argument for Love to pick him. He still might do so when the first three picks are announced on Monday. But by not making it to this weeks BMW Championship, Furyk has severely hurt his chances. At least it would seem that way.Part of the reason for pushing the picks back this late -- the latest theyve ever been -- is to allow players more time to impress. Its tough to do that when youre not playing.6. Bowdo the comedianIt has been a rough year for Aussie Steven Bowditch, who has two PGA Tour victories, including the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson. But this year was more or less a disaster, as Bowditch missed 14 cuts in 21 worldwide starts -- including his last five in a row. From 72nd in the world at the end of last year, Bowditch has dropped to 166th. Yet, his sense of humor has remained intact as he tries to sort out the issues.?7. Wheres Beef?In Cleveland, of all places. Englands Andrew Beef Johnston was a surprise entrant in the first of four Web.com Tour Finals events, this weeks DAP Championship at Canterbury Golf Club.Johnston, who won his first European Tour event earlier this year and became a gallery favorite at The Open at Royal Troon, is eligible because he finished among the top 125 to 200 on the PGA Tours FedEx points list as a non-member.The Englishman can earn PGA Tour status out of the Web.com Tour category for the 2016-17 season if he finishes among the top 25 players (not already exempt) who compete in the four-tournament series.Johnston, who won Garcias event in Spain, finished eighth at The Open and is coming off a third-place finish last week in Switzerland.The Web.com Finals begin this week and continue next week in Boise, Idaho, before heading to Columbus, Ohio. The Web.com Tour Championship is Oct. 6-9.8. Phils Vardon questPhil Mickelson has never won the Vardon Trophy, given to the player with the PGA Tours lowest adjusted scoring average. As great as Mickelson has been, it is odd that he has never had this distinction -- just as it is that hes never won the money title or been ranked No. 1 in the world. Tiger Woods has won the Vardon Trophy nine times, most recently in 2013. Jordan Spieth took the honor last year.Mickelson was leading the race -- until he shot rounds of 75-72 at the Deutsche Bank Championship and missed the cut. But its still a tight race.Mickelson dropped to third (69.384) behind Jason Day (69.260) and Dustin Johnson (69.268) with two events to go.9. Tigers returnOnce again, Tigerwoods.com had the big scoop.? Geronimo Allison Super Bowl Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Kevin King Super Bowl Jersey . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Mason-Crosby-Packers-Jersey/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Josh Jackson Super Bowl Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Adrian Amos Super Bowl Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Retaining fifth-year center Hassan Whiteside was a major priority for the Miami Heat last summer.Whiteside, an emerging star, showed why it was so important for the Heat keep him as the cornerstone of their rebuilding during Wednesday nights season opener. The 7-footer dominated the paint in helping deliver a 108-96 win in Miamis first game without perennial All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.He led the Heat with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. It was a statement night even if that wasnt Whitesides intention.Its not about trying to make a statement, Whiteside said. Its just that Im coming out here and playing. My teammates made it easier for me and we just played as a team. Im coming out there with a chip on my shoulder, a lot of guys are counting us out. These guys have an edge to them so Im excited.Whiteside showed some flashes in the first half, but it was in the second that his athleticism and strength became too much for the Magic, who were without center Bismack Biyombo for Wednesday nights game. Whiteside scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots in the final two quarters to help the Heat blow open a back-and-forth game.Miami never relinquished the lead again after a 7-0 run midway through the third quarter that was sparked by a big block by Whiteside and one of his several slam dunks.He was enjoying the game and competition, even when he was on the bench and that is important, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. We need him to be great and he was that in the third quarter. He really anchored our defense and ignited everyone else.His prowess on the inside started a dunk-fest as the Heat owned the paint the second half. Goran Dragic scored 16 points and Justise Winslow added 15, while Tyler Johnsons 15 points led three players off the bench in double figures for Miami.Miami scored outscored Orlando 74-36 in the paint.Orlando guard Evan Fournier led all five starters in double figures with 20 points while Nikola Vucevic turned in a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.But none of it was enough to prevent Frank Vogell from suffering a loss in his coaching debut with the Magic.ddddddddddddIP INSHeat: Second-year guard Josh Richardson did not play Wednesday night due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. ... Both Tyler Johnson and James Johnson came off the bench to give the Heat a boost, scoring eight points each in the first half. ... The Heat have won six straight openers, the longest such current streak in the NBA.Magic: Point guard Elfrid Payton had an up and down night, scoring 16 points, but he only had four in the second half and committed four costly turnovers. ... Serge Ibaka managed 14 points but shot just 6 of 17 from the field in his debut with the Magic.MILESTONE WINIt was Spoelstras career win No. 400.I was talking to Pat (Riley) about that and he said `Oh, 400. When I was with the Lakers that many years, I had about 700, Spoelstra said. Thats puts it in perspective. Im just glad I had an opportunity to coach this many games. I should have been fired three or four times.HEATED RIVALRYFournier says there is no better opponent for the Magic to start the season with than their in-state rival Miami.Playing Miami the first game is special, Fournier said. We dont like them and they dont like us. Its no secret.MIDDLE MANWith Biyombo serving an NBA-mandated one-game suspension for exceeding the flagrant foul limit in last seasons playoffs, the Magic had to shift some things around. Ibaka had to slide over and play center quite a bit when Orlando went to its smaller lineup and Vucevic went to the bench.UP NEXTHeat: Miami will open its home schedule on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets without Wade on the roster for the first time since the Heat drafted him in in the first round in 2003. Wade is playing for the Chicago Bulls.Magic: On Friday Orlando begins an early season three-game road swing with the first stop at The Palace of Auburn Hills to take on the Detroit Pistons. The Magic will also play NBA champion Cleveland and then Philadelphia on the trip. ' ' '