Fred Funk

The worry about Funk entering 2006 was his commitment to the PGA Tour once he turned 50. Well, it really isn't a worry anymore. Funk has made it well known that he plans to play on the PGA Tour as long as he can. How long he can is now the question. At 48th on the 2006 money list, Funk was well within the boundaries for keeping his card for 2007. He is slipping, however. The $1.6 million he earned last year was his lowest total since 2001. This from a player who was consistently above $2 million each year from 2002-2005. There's no tip-toeing around it. Funk is getting older. He will turn 51 this year and his game will inevitably start to fail him. He's consistently being out-driven by nearly everyone on tour and his accuracy off the tee will only keep him hanging on for so long. Funk is too solid of a player to simply crash and burn, but the slow fade will continue this year.

When will Fred Funk slow? He showed sings of slowing toward the season's end last year, but still earned $2.8 million. Half came from the The Players Championship, however. I think $2.8 million is a little too much to pay for Funk this year. Funk is a solid player, but the upside to paying $2.8 million for Funk just isn't there. He won the biggest purse last year at the Players Championship and still could not crack $3 million. I don't like his chances of cracking that barrier this year when he doesn't win the Players Championship.

Funk made over $2.1 million for the third straight year in 2004 (and made the Ryder Cup team as well), proof that slow and steady can still win the race. He could fall off at any time now that he's 48, though, and he doesn't have a tremendous upside because of his lack of length off the tee, but there's a lot to be said for keeping the ball in play, something Funk is excellent at. Look for him to approach $2 million again in 2005.

After pulling in $2.3 million in 2002, Funk pulled in more than $2.1 million in 2003. We think the slow downward trend continues in 2004. How much will he fall? Probably not that much, this guy keeps it in play and hits greens.