people forget how close it is between phil and kai.
he's not a a distant second as some heathists will have it
but in regards to politics, influence and knowing the judges kai is very distant
You don't think they make a profit on hyping the battle for mr O?

Of course the judges are told to keep the 1st and 2nd place close, it's what generates the most profit.
Phil "The Gift" Heath vs Kai "I made sexy time with a grape fruit and will never get a Sandow" Greene. It's not even a battle between these two, neither image wise nor physique wise.
They want to lead people into believing it to be a close race, but in reality Heath is in a Star Trek warp drive whilst Kai is on a rusty tricycle.