As usual, there continue to be last-minute withdrawals from tournaments by top players.  It’s nothing new and no amount of rule changes, fines, etc. will stem the tide of players who just don’t make it to the party from time to time.  Sometimes there are legitimate injuries; sometimes it’s due to playing well in the tournament the previous week; and sometimes a player just needs a break from too many weeks in a row on the road.  Even if the season is shorter or players are required to play fewer events, there will still be times when players’ plans change and tournaments are left high and dry without the big name players whom they have promoted for months.  So what to do?   Tournament directors, and especially sponsors and fans, deserve something better.  How about allowing top ten players two late withdrawals per year WITHOUT penalty and then fining players a significant amount, e.g. $100,000, for every subsequent late withdrawal.  The money generated from these fines would go directly to the affected tournament.