The Wire: Golf's Only Daily Transaction Newsletter

There has been an outpouring of e-mails to the Golf Press Association corporate office in the past month concerning the whereabouts of Casual Friday.

Maybe outpouring is a bit strong, but enough of a response for Casual Friday to feel your love. (Hold on, let me get a tissue. No, not to wipe away the tears, but the pine needle that just popped off the Christmas tree and hit me in the eye.)

Casual Friday has been keeping it casual, keeping it real as they say. Besides, did anyone really miss Tiger Woods from the PGA Tour when he took a month off to get married?

But CF has been monitoring the golf landscape and has some thoughts to share. So, here we go …

1, Paul Casey. Last month, the English Ryder Cup member made some less than flattering comments about Americans, and at first was willing to stick by his words. About the only thing he took issue with was a headline in a UK tabloid, which is understandable given the nature of tabloids.

But then Casey, who attended Arizona State and has an American girlfriend, went on Golf Talk last week to clarify his statements amid a negative backlash. While it might have smoothed some ruffled feathers, the comments will live with him for years to come. And that's not a bad thing.

While everyone got all puff-chested about the conduct of Americans at the 1999 Ryder Cup, the comeback and ultimate celebration helped solidify the matches as one of the great sporting events.

Bad blood -- in moderation -- is good for any rivalry. Look at Ohio State and Michigan in college football; the Yankees and Red Sox in baseball; even the Pacers and Pistons in the NBA … uh, OK, let's skip that last one, but you get the point.

So while Casey's comments will likely fade from public consciousness over the course of the two years leading up to the next Ryder Cup in Ireland, those words will also be fermenting. They will become a potent reminder that it's us versus them when the matches reconvene. They will make for a good read, even better headlines and ultimately give the Americans a little something more to prove.

And that's not a bad thing either.

2, Vijay vs. Annika. Who had the better year? Many will proclaim that Vijay Singh's season, which included nine wins and more than $10 million in earnings, was one for the ages. And there is no disputing that fact.

But Annika Sorenstam's 10-win season goes Singh one better. If LPGA purses were equal to PGA Tour purses, Sorenstam would have been pushing $10 million easily. Instead, she did all that work for $2,544,707 -- a figure that would have ranked 16th on the PGA Tour, slightly ahead of Rory Sabbatini, whose highest finish was second on two occasions.

Unfortunately, women's golf doesn't get the exposure that it deserves, so Sorenstam plays on in some degree of anonymity. But if the matter were put to a vote, Sorenstam would get CF's vote.

3, Odds and ends. The PGA of America gets one thumb up for altering its Ryder Cup point system. The new formula gives more weight to Ryder Cup-year events and majors. But the PGA should have gone a step further. Considering the number of quality international players on tour these days finishing inside the top 10 (the number of places points are awarded to Americans), the PGA should award points to the top-10 American players. … Casual Friday's early 2005 prediction for PGA Tour Player of the Year? Tiger Woods. CF believes Woods will win at least five times, one of them being a major. … While most of the casual golfing fans have heard of Michelle Wie, who has played a couple of PGA Tour events, look out for 18-year-old Paula Creamer, who was medalist at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. She's the real deal. … Also, amateur/collegiate stud Ryan Moore will presumably turn pro midway through 2005. When he does, do not be surprised if he is in contention immediately.

OK, so now you know Casual Friday is alive and well. But it is Friday, it is the holiday season and that means parties to attend.

Peace, out.