Now that Tiger Woods has dropped to second place behind Vijay Singh on the PGA Tour money list following Vijay's win at Disney last weekend, Woods can say that winning the title doesn't mean that much to him. But he's wrong. The Player of the Year title sounds impressive, but who really remembers an award based on a vote by tour players or on a shaky points system (the PGA of America's award)? The money title, on the other hand -- now that's an honor with staying power. It's stronger than a Camel or a Chevy truck.

There are no fluke winners of this prize. Jack Nicklaus won the money title eight times -- even though, like Tiger, he played a limited schedule. Woods has won the money title four straight years, a record he shares with Tom Watson (1977-1980) at the moment. It would likely be six straight years if Tiger hadn't worked on swing changes in 1998, when he won only once and slipped to fourth on the money list -- although he would've needed one of his best years to top David Duval's career year.

While I wouldn't presume to know what Woods thinks about anything (since he keeps all us media types at arm's length) I can't help but feel that, if he winds up getting edged by Singh for the money title, Tiger is going to regret not playing at least one more tournament this year. No matter how you look at it, the 18 PGA Tour events Woods will have played this year is a light workload. The only place an 18-week work year is considered heavy lifting is in France.

If Tiger is too busy or too tired to play more tournaments -- well, there's only one reason. It's because IMG has him a more-than-willingly chasing the almighty endorsement buck (which makes no sense, since he already has that $125 million deal with Nike, which would be enough money for any one person, wouldn't you think?) Woods plays overseas not just for big appearance-fee money, but to generate even bigger endorsement deals and marketing clout. The king of the silly season, Woods also has his own deal with a certain TV power to appear in schlock stuff like the Battle of Big Horn and the Skins Game. He may be the busiest golfer in the northern hemisphere during November and December. It's no wonder he feels like he needs a break in January and February. But I won't criticize Tiger for making money. It's the American way and, really, it's just another game (see Greg Norman and his business empire for details) that's fun to play.

Anyway, you don't win the money title unless you're pretty much the class of the Tour. Only 15 different players have done it since 1970 and only eight of them were one-time winners -- Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Craig Stadler, Hal Sutton, Corey Pavin, Fred Couples, Tom Lehman and Duval. The others were all multiple winners -- Nicklaus (5), Watson (5), Woods (5), Norman (3), Curtis Strange (3), Tom Kite (2) and, Nick Price (2). Finishing No. 1 on the money list is pretty much as good as being No. 1 in the world rankings. Even if Colin Montgomerie never wins a major championship, you can't take away his seven consecutive Order of Merit titles in Europe, an amazing iron man feat. Monty was Europe's unchallenged best for seven straight years.

Woods is building an amazing legacy. He could quit the game now and still be one of the greatest in history. His 39 wins tie him with Gene Sarazen and Watson on the all-time list and his eight Majors have put him among the elite. Woods has won the Vardon Trophy (the PGA of America's award for best scoring average), the Byron Nelson Award (the PGA Tour's award for best scoring average), the money title and the PGA Tour's and PGA of America's Player of the Year awards in each of the last four years. If he goes on to win, say, three or four more money titles, he may eventually kick himself for letting Singh steal this year's title.

Then again, I don't think it's going to matter. Woods may say the money title doesn't matter to him, but I think it matters enough that for once, he's will have to go to the season-ending Tour Championship with his game honed to a fine edge. He has incentive to play well, which is important because the 30-man Tour Championship has the feel of a quiet golf outing, not a tournament of any significance. A lot of players view it as a free payday in the late season; an opportunity to show up and see how their game is doing. Few players truly prepare for it. Next week's Tour Championship will be played at Champions Golf Club in Houston. The course is a long track that should play to Tiger's strength. For the first time since he started playing the Tour Championship, Tiger heads into this event with a lot at stake. Mark it down: Woods will win at Champions, he'll snag the money title and Player of the Year award and he'll head into the silly season a happy man.

Not winning a major this year and having to rally to win the money title will also prove to have a positive effect on Woods. We'll have to remember 2003 as the year when Tiger Woods was finally pushed by his pursuers and lost a little of his air of invincibility, intimidation factor and dominance. It was a kick in the butt for Woods and, unfortunately for his pursuers, I believe it was exactly what he needed.

Say, are you gonna finish that pickle? On to the Mailbag:

Why is it that international players outside of Europe are not allowed to play in the Ryder Cup, as opposed to the President's Cup? Is there some sort of absolute rule that will forever keep some of the best players in the world from competing in this historical, respected and relevant event?--Tabata Yuichiro, Tsu Shima City, Aichi, Japan

It's all about greed and a narrow world view. The Ryder Cup fills the coffers of the British PGA (whose share of the pot has been getting smaller) and the PGA of America like nothing else. Why would they want to cut somebody else in? And while the Euros have put aside their international differences to come together as a team, a world team would have a tougher time. My solution remains: Have the President's Cup winner play the defending Ryder Cup champ in the Ryder Cup. The losers play in the next President's Cup to see who gets back in the Ryder Cup. Thus, the Internationals would finally be included in the Ryder Cup -- as Samuel Ryder, a great sportsman, would no doubt insist upon if he were alive in the 21st century.

No disrespect to Nick Price or the other inductees, but, to me, the World Golf Hall of Fame is kind of lame. It's a poor man's Cooperstown or Canton. Why do I feel this way?--Mike O'Connor, Coronado, Calif.

It could be your low self-esteem or your insecurity complex, Mannix. While I've written plenty of critical things about the Golf Hall, this year's special Hogan exhibit was fabulous. The Hall is turning itself around because its officials have finally realized what the sport is all about -- the people. We want to celebrate the heroes of golf, the way the other Halls do. The Jack Nicklaus Museum in Columbus is the prototype that the Golf Hall should follow (and it's happening, but it'll be a slow process). Check out the Hall in a year or two. I think you'll see an improvement. Meanwhile, it's time to see your shrink.

Have you watched the new Golf Channel reality show -- Big Break? What are your thoughts on the show? Personally, I think it is a slap in the face to guys out there trying to make a living on the mini-tours. The show sparked my interest when I first heard the idea, but I think the Golf Channel missed the mark on the format by choosing "goofy golf" over more traditional tests to identify someone with tour potential.--Michael Kelley, Newnan, Ga.

Sorry, K-9, haven't seen Big Break. I'm still miffed that I wasn't asked to join the show as a major celebrity golf writer. While the goofy golf contests may seem low-rent, they probably make for better TV than a stroke play tournament. Hey, if these guys were that good at stroke play, they'd already be on a tour somewhere. All in all, it probably beats the usual reruns and infomercials that the Golf Channel plasters its schedule with.

I've watched Jack Nicklaus putt many times on TV and noticed that after he sets up for the putt, he stands motionless for maybe 20 or 30 seconds before he finally hits the ball. What thoughts could possibly be going through his mind for such a long time just before he putts?--John Culbertson, Port Neches, Texas

	MAILBAG Gary Van Sickle will answer select questions from SI.com users each week in Underground Golfer. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

He's thinking, "I wonder if ol' Culbertson is watching this telecast ... where the hell is Port Neches, anyway? Is that near Port Lavaca? Or Lake Jackson? Or what?... Hey, I wonder if ol' Culbertson is going to finish that sandwich ... Umm, donuts ... Anybody beside me think the senior tour is a snooze?... Guess I oughta make this putt. I wonder what it's for... What's the capital of Idaho?... I can still beat Arnie like a drum." That clear it up for you, Culbie?

While we are on the subject of "Why not sooner for Nick Price?" with regard to the Hall of Fame, let's try "Why not never for Colin Montgomerie?" The Scot has never and will never live up to his billing, even though he has had some success in Europe. Stateside has not been to his liking and being drubbed each time he tees it up in the U.S. has become his SOP. Now it appears that even in Europe he cannot come close to a win--Ned, Houston

I don't suppose you're bitter because Monty failed to complete his higher education at Houston High School -- oops, I mean the University of Houston. As for having some success, well, Monty did win the Order of Merit for a record seven straight years, an unbelievable feat. The guy's had marital problems and a bad back but apparently still has a real understanding of how his swing works. He has kicked butts and taken names against the U.S. in the Ryder Cup, but his fragile psyche kept him from attaining greatness.

One of the most ridiculous rules in golf is the one that causes a penalty if the ball moves because of wind (an outside agent) after the golfer has addressed the ball. When a player takes his/her stance over the ball, usually after a practice swing (especially when putting), the feet can create a natural wind tunnel. If the wind is right, it can easily cause the ball to move. How do we as players get the USGA to effect a more realistic and practical change in the rules?--Bill Gildea, Port Jefferson, N.Y.

You don't. And that's a two-stroke penalty, Gildoon, for using the words "realistic" and "practical" in the same sentence as "USGA." You should know better.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle writes for the magazine's Golf Plus section and is a regular contributor to SI.com.