Hal Sutton and David Toms have more in common than Louisiana roots and a PGA Championship in their trophy collections.

Both players want more variety in how the PGA Tour sets up its golf courses.

When Sutton decided to resign after five years on the PGA Tour policy board, he knew Toms would replace him. And he knew the board would have another voice to speak out in favor of more balance in course setups.

“I’m passionate about what I believe, and I believe we need to make some changes,” Sutton said. “The tour is awesome at 99.9 percent of the things they do. But there’s always room for improvement.”

Sutton did not resign out of frustration.

He is trying to build a children’s hospital in Shreveport, La., and he spent the last two days at a fund-raising tournament. He wants to spend more time with his three young daughters and work on his game. And he needs to focus on his job as Ryder Cup captain.

“I was burning the candle on both ends,” he said. “That was the one spot I thought I could cut out and feel some relief.”

l

Tiger tales: Tiger Woods is not expected to play in the $5.6 million Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, N.C., meaning he could miss six consecutive PGA events before returning at the Memorial.

It would be his longest layoff from the PGA Tour in his career. Woods missed only five tournaments during his rehabilitation from knee surgery earlier this year.

l

Playing catch: Laura Diaz found a unique way to work on her wedge game. She had her husband, Kevin, retrieve her shots with a baseball glove.

“I was looking at that glove and hitting the target,” she said. “That has been pretty effective.”

And how did her husband feel about this game?

“Kevin doesn’t mind,” Diaz said, “just as long as it doesn’t go on too long.”