The PGA Tour - primarily because of its players' jealousy - that there will be no Comeback Player of the Year awarded this year.  That's because it's Tiger Woods, and they think that still kicking their tails is not a comeback.

But, in lieu of a Comeback Player of the Year Award, the PGA Tour is going to hand out a new award: the David Chu Award to recognize outstanding contributions to the growth of golf in China.

Guess who the first recipient is?  That's right.  Dr. David Chu, founder of Mission Hills Golf Club in China. 

For anyone wondering if the PGA Tour has serious intentions about planting a flag in Asia, nothing screams the obvious more than making up an award for a guy who's still alive and giving it to him.

"Dr. Chu’s legacy is one of a pioneer, visionary and philanthropist," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, who was on hand today at Mission Hills Golf Club to present the award. "Thanks to his efforts, Mission Hills has provided a platform for golf in China to take root, grow and flourish – the effects of which are certain to exceed all expectations in the years to come. We are grateful for our continued partnership with Dr. Chu and Mission Hills, and we are proud to honor him with this award."

So, the domestic PGA Tour can manage to hand out an award to a guy in China who really had no influence on the Tour until Commissioner Finchem got the HSBC Champions to become a World Golf Championship.  But Tiger can't afford to be honored for the 1,000,001th time?

I know Dr. Chu has done quite a bit in the last two decades to help spur growth of golf in China, but this seems awfully premature - and premeditated.