The Golf News Net

With Ji Yai Shin's tap in par at the final hole at Trump International on Sunday in the ADT Championship, we officially bid bon voyage to the most compelling stroke play format in golf. The tournament will be shelved for next season. 

What will replace it is a more mundane medal play tournament held in Houston and called the Stanford Financial Tour Championship.  It will crown a champion and award them somewhere in the area of $300,000 for winning the event featuring a $2 million purse.

I'm not certain that Stanford knows that they are signing up to be the guaranteed dud of a follow-up act to the ADT format.  What may have been a hint, though, came on Wednesday when LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens was asked about the fate of the ADT Championship and its format.  A reporter alluded to the format as "the ADT format," but tried to correct himself in lieu of the sponsorship relationship between ADT and the LPGA Tour ending.  Bivens stepped in, though, and said that "we will be calling [the format] the ADT for a while."

Everything about the ADT Championship has been cutting edge since moving to the quirky playoff format in 2006. 

The tournament's prize money has been dramatically skewed to favor the winner, making the tournament more than just a free payday as a reward for a season of good work.  Yes, there is a guaranteed payday.  But, of the 32 players in the field, just two made at least six figures - and one did so by a dollar. The payout structure made winning matter so much more were the money distributed just like the Lorena Ochoa Invitational last week.  It turned victories into statements (Ji Yai Shin), into history (Lorena Ochoa), and even a career (Julieta Grenada).

Even the way that the money was so neatly packed into a glass briefcase and showcased on the first tee screamed excitement.  

The host course, Trump International, really characterized the tournament well.  With many unique holes and features, the course could be rightly criticized as a gimmick in some spots.  In many more others, though, the course is an appropriate test for the biggest payout in women's golf.  Success at Trump International requires a lot of skill, certainly.  It also requires the ability to make smart decisions while constantly trying to lure a player into taking a gamble.

The ADT Championship's cutthroat format was a huge gamble by the LPGA Tour.  It was unique in 2006.  It's still unique now.  Then, it was more made a public relations move for the LPGA Tour to gain some serious attention away from the National Football League on a Sunday in November.  Now, it is a cherished and beloved tournament style that has been suggested for use - in multiple circles - for how the PGA Tour should cap off its season.

Needless to say, I am sad to see it go - even if temporarily.  The tournament is owned by the LPGA Tour and they are shopping for a new title sponsor to take over naming rights for the 2010 season.  It was even reported this week that ADT and the LPGA Tour may be back at the negotating table to keep the security firm's name on the most unique format in golf.

Even still, there is some bitterness if the ADT format does return to the LPGA Tour schedule.  Commissioner Bivens has said that she fully anticipates this event to be played at the start of the 2010 season.  In theory, the first event back would be the most exciting.  Unfortunately, a star-studded limited field event does not guarantee excitement.  Just ask the PGA Tour about their event at Kapalua.  Skewing the money list lead by $900,000 - the difference between first and second place in the ADT format - at the start of the season may have a negative impact on the Tour's momentum.

So, this column may not have been the eulogy for the ADT Championship.  Golf is unpredictable like that.  The ADT is unpredictable like that.  But, this column is a fond goodbye.  

And a reminder that, ADT Championship, you are welcome back anytime you want.