Notebook

In previous seasons players who finished between 126th and 150th on the money list were en-tided to unlimited sponsors' exemptions the following season. Last year, though, the Tour's policy board voted to rescind that rule. All Howell gets for finishing in the top 150 as a temporary Tour member is a pass into the second stage of Q school. "I was shocked to find out about the rule change," says Howell's manager, Rocky Hambric. "When the Tour should be giving talented young players who can ultimately challenge Tiger more chances to develop, the veterans on the policy board voted for something in their interests."

Gossett, who left Texas after his sophomore year, has also found the going tough. After turning pro in July, the 1999 U.S. Amateur champ didn't make a cut in seven events. In fact, he never broke 70. "I made the decision to leave school early, and I don't have any regrets," says Gossett, who is also 21. "I felt like giving up those last two years of school would be better for my game in the long run, no matter where I'm playing—the Buy.com, the PGA Tour or elsewhere."

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