- FedExCup Points: 50,000
- Purse: $7.0 million
- Winning Share: $1,260,000
- Yards: 6,839
PGA TOUR Staff
It's the Playoffs! Specifically, we are at the beginning of the first-ever PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Here's what we know:
Tiger Woods is the only player who is assured of being eligible for all four Playoff events. In all likelihood, however, there will probably be 20 or more of the current Top 30 competing in THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. The remaining spots will be filled by those who have played extremely well. In Playoff simulations using past years' data, players as low as 68th seed have made it into the final field.
The top players will have their chance to win. All of the Top 24 seeds are certain to be eligible for the first 3 events. In fact, it is highly unlikely that any of the Top 50 will not make it into the BMW Championship.
At the other end of the seedings, some players have their work cut out for them. Shigeki Maruyama had a strong tournament at the Wyndham Championship last week, finishing tied for 7th. That took him to 140th in the FedExCup standings and got him an invitation to The Barclays. To get to the Deutsche Bank Championship, however, he will have to play even better this week. A second place finish would assure him a spot in the second Playoff event, although a sixth place would probably suffice. Of course, the 141st through 144th seeds -- Michael Putnam, Bob Tway, Andrew Buckle and Jeff Gove -- must play even better. Gove's path to the FedExCup is, of course, the toughest, since he's the final seed. If he finishes second at The Barclays, assuring himself a place in the Deutsche Bank Championship, he will still be at least 13,300 points behind the leader. Another second at the Deutsche Bank would probably get him into the BMW Championship, where he'd need another top 5 finish to get into THE TOUR Championship. Even that wouldn't be enough, though -- by that point, he'd almost certainly be mathematically eliminated from winning the Cup. To do that, Gove will have to come up with a month to beat all months -- probably two wins and two seconds, at least.
For players outside the Top 30, there is no time to lose. The top 15 seeds need two great finishes (especially as the seeding gets closer to 15th), and the top 30 will probably need three. Outside the Top 30, having an "off" tournament at The Barclays may well seal their fate with respect to being the first to kiss the FedExCup. Mathematically, they won't be eliminated, but practically speaking, there will be too many good players with too much of a lead on them to overcome.
The top eight seeds didn't change last week, but that won't happen this week. Since the number one seed, Tiger Woods, isn't in the field this week, any of the Top 59 would pass him (60th would tie) with a win. Anyone in the Top 100 would move into 7th place or better with a win, depending on what other players do.
Pairings that made the playoffs in other sports (* = in the field this week)
Carlos Franco -- John Harris
Ken Duke* - Joey Snyder III
J.J. Henry* - Tommy Aaron
Calvin Peete -- Justin Rose*
Charles Warren -- Jason Moon
