Power Rankings: FedExCup Playoffs

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POWER RANKINGS

Power Rankings: FedExCup Playoffs
- August 23, 2016
  By Rob Bolton , PGATOUR.COM Follow @RobBoltonGolf
Dustin Johnson enters the FedExCup Playoffs with one major win, one WGC win and 12 top ten finishes. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Just as a home-plate umpire is invisible when calling a fair game, even in the postseason, the absence of criticism in the wake of the tweak in the advance of last year’s FedExCup Playoffs should be embraced.

After its first two editions when it was still finding its footing, the points structure for the four-event series went unchanged from 2009-2014. For most intents and purposes, it worked, but there was still room for a modification to enhance the value of the PGA TOUR season that determined the field of 125 for the Playoffs. So, points earned in the Playoffs were slashed by 20 percent in 2015, but they were still four times the value of a stand-alone non-major and non-World Golf Championship. Suffice it to say that the mission was accomplished and with little or no fanfare, exactly the objective.

Only four of the golfers who began the 2015 FedExCup Playoffs outside the top 30 in points advanced to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. In no small measure due to the reduction of points distributed, this deviated significantly from each of the previous six years when seven or eight survived the first three rounds of elimination after beginning outside the top 30. Furthermore, at 46^th in points entering The Barclays last year, Daniel Berger was easily the worst seed of the lowest-ranked qualifiers to advance to East Lake as compared to every edition from 2009-2014.

Perhaps the best example of the impact of the scaled-back system is Daniel Summerhays. He opened last year’s Playoffs slotted 66^th in points, and then went a respective T6-T9 in the first two events. Ranked 26^th at the BMW Championship, he finished T41 and finished first 31^st, or on the outside looking into the field at East Lake. Indeed, a stronger regular season would have been rewarded with his sparkling play in the Playoffs. Case in point, Jordan Spieth entered as the top seed, which was as good as insurance. He needed it since he missed the cut at The Barclays and Deutsche Bank Championship. After a T13 at the BMW to retain his new position at No. 2, a victory in the finale secured the FedExCup. Unchanged is the fact that the title of FedExCup champion rests in the fate of any of the top five at East Lake. A win guarantees it.

All of the opening top 20 advanced to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola in 2015. That happened only once (2012) from 2009-2014, but all of the top 13 have advanced during the entire six-year period. Meanwhile, in part due to the revised structure in 2015, Stewart Cink set the record for highest finish (T39) at The Barclays without advancing to the Deutsche Bank Championship. Under the previous points system, every golfer who had placed 42^nd (or better) in the lid-lifter survived.

The last time Bethpage State Park Black Course last hosted The Barclays in 2012. (Chris Condron/PGA TOUR)

The FedExCup Playoffs opens in the Northeast, just as it did in its first nine years and as it will for the foreseeable future. Both of the first two stops include 36-hole cuts, but for the second consecutive year, the 54-hole/MDF provision is waived in the Playoffs. (It wouldn’t have been needed in 2015.) None of the events have alternates, so any pre-tournament withdrawals merely reduce the field accordingly.

Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, leads off. At 7,468 yards, it remains the same since its last turn as host of The Barclays in 2012 and it’s no bargain as the second-longest par 71 of the season. Nick Watney prevailed by three at 10-under 274 four years ago.

The top 100 in FedExCup points at the conclusion of The Barclays will make the jaunt to TPC Boston, which is the only site the Deutsche Bank Championship has known. The par 71 will play 7,297 yards this year, an increase of 55 yards, all at the par-4 fourth hole.

Once the remaining 70 golfers are determined, they will battle for position in the top 30 at the BMW Championship. Carmel, Indiana’s Crooked Stick Golf Club hosts for the second time. Like Bethpage for The Barclays, Crooked Stick made its Playoffs debut in 2012. The par 72 has also been overhauled and extended by 70 yards, so it now tips at 7,567 yards. After damp conditions yielded seriously low scoring at Crooked Stick in 2012, the course is antsy to prove that it can be a stern test.

After a scheduled week off, the top 30 in FedExCup points will then make the annual trek to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Course designer Rees Jones, who renovated the course prior to the 2008 edition of the Playoffs finale, returned to update bits and pieces in the past year, but the headlining narrative is that the nines have been reversed. Instead of the par-3 finishing hole, No. 18 is now a par 5.

Just as the Power Rankings for The Barclays dove into the details of Bethpage Black, the Power Rankings for the final three tournaments will examine what those fields will face. In the meantime, the ranking below projects the field at East Lake and overall finish at the conclusion of the Playoffs. It incorporates trends mentioned above.

RANK

PLAYER

COMMENT

1		Dustin Johnson	Towering record of two wins and another 10 top 10s in 25 Playoffs starts merges with a breakout season that includes majors breakthrough among 12 top 10s. The 2-seed.
Towering record of two wins and another 10 top 10s in 25 Playoffs starts merges with a breakout season that includes majors breakthrough among 12 top 10s. The 2-seed.

2		Henrik Stenson	Registered for The Barclays at 14^th in points in only 12 starts this season. Sweden’s first male major champ added a silver medal in Rio. Won the FedExCup in 2013.
Registered for The Barclays at 14^th in points in only 12 starts this season. Sweden’s first male major champ added a silver medal in Rio. Won the FedExCup in 2013.

3		Jason Day	The top seed arrives rested since PGA runner-up. Defending both The Barclays and BMW but on different courses. TOUR’s best putter can also hang with anyone off the tee.
The top seed arrives rested since PGA runner-up. Defending both The Barclays and BMW but on different courses. TOUR’s best putter can also hang with anyone off the tee.

4		Brooks Koepka	With five top fives in 2016, his seed of 19^th seems low, so he’s dangerous. Ran out of gas to open 0-for-2 in debut last year, but has rationed this year’s schedule nicely.
With five top fives in 2016, his seed of 19^th seems low, so he’s dangerous. Ran out of gas to open 0-for-2 in debut last year, but has rationed this year’s schedule nicely.

5		Hideki Matsuyama	Sprints in cookin’ with a T4 at Baltusrol and T3 at Sedgefield. The 12-seed is still only 24 years old. He’s averaged a top 10 in every 3.36 starts as a pro.
Sprints in cookin’ with a T4 at Baltusrol and T3 at Sedgefield. The 12-seed is still only 24 years old. He’s averaged a top 10 in every 3.36 starts as a pro.

6		Justin Rose	The gold medalist in Rio is the lowest seed included here at 51^st in points despite five top 10s. Two-time runner-up at East Lake where he’s competed every year since 2010.
The gold medalist in Rio is the lowest seed included here at 51^st in points despite five top 10s. Two-time runner-up at East Lake where he’s competed every year since 2010.

7		Jordan Spieth	Latest to try to be first to win consecutive FedExCups. (Also defending at East Lake.) Seeded fifth, highest of a defending champ since Brandt Snedeker opened third in 2013.
Latest to try to be first to win consecutive FedExCups. (Also defending at East Lake.) Seeded fifth, highest of a defending champ since Brandt Snedeker opened third in 2013.

8		Rory McIlroy	Lurking as the 36-seed and out to prove something before the Ryder Cup. Two-time earnings leader, but never a FedExCup champ. Winner at soggy Crooked Stick in 2012.
Lurking as the 36-seed and out to prove something before the Ryder Cup. Two-time earnings leader, but never a FedExCup champ. Winner at soggy Crooked Stick in 2012.

9		Brandt Snedeker	A non-factor in the Playoffs since winning the FedExCup in 2012, but he starts as the 6-seed and as the last runner-up at Bethpage (2012). Tops on TOUR in par-4 scoring.
A non-factor in the Playoffs since winning the FedExCup in 2012, but he starts as the 6-seed and as the last runner-up at Bethpage (2012). Tops on TOUR in par-4 scoring.

10		Phil Mickelson	Slotted eighth, best since he opened at fourth in 2013. Winner at TPC Boston (2007) and East Lake (2009) was T2 at Crooked Stick in 2012. Winless since The Open in 2013.
Slotted eighth, best since he opened at fourth in 2013. Winner at TPC Boston (2007) and East Lake (2009) was T2 at Crooked Stick in 2012. Winless since The Open in 2013.

11		Matt Kuchar	With the way he’s performed for months, he’s hardly sleeping, but you’d expect him to be higher than the 18-seed. Chasing seventh consecutive appearance at East Lake.
With the way he’s performed for months, he’s hardly sleeping, but you’d expect him to be higher than the 18-seed. Chasing seventh consecutive appearance at East Lake.

12		Branden Grace	The first-timer is deserving of a nod here even if he sat well outside the top 30. Instead, he’s 25^th. The 28-year-old has also remained fresh with a relatively light schedule.
The first-timer is deserving of a nod here even if he sat well outside the top 30. Instead, he’s 25^th. The 28-year-old has also remained fresh with a relatively light schedule.

13		Adam Scott	Led in FedExCup points for two months after second win (WGC-Cadillac). Just one top 10 since, but he’s seeded third. Ten top 10s in the Playoffs, including 2013 Barclays win.
Led in FedExCup points for two months after second win (WGC-Cadillac). Just one top 10 since, but he’s seeded third. Ten top 10s in the Playoffs, including 2013 Barclays win.

14		Patrick Reed	Headed to his third straight finale, this time opening as the 7-seed. Started ninth and eighth in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Placed T4 at TPC Boston last year.
Headed to his third straight finale, this time opening as the 7-seed. Started ninth and eighth in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Placed T4 at TPC Boston last year.

15		Kevin Kisner	Reconnecting with his game at the perfect time, but managed to sustain position throughout the season. The 11-seed has top 20s in three of his last five starts.
Reconnecting with his game at the perfect time, but managed to sustain position throughout the season. The 11-seed has top 20s in three of his last five starts.

16		Russell Knox	The 4-seed can play video-game golf at times and will put it to the test in his first appearance at East Lake. Two wins and three seconds worldwide in last 10 months.
The 4-seed can play video-game golf at times and will put it to the test in his first appearance at East Lake. Two wins and three seconds worldwide in last 10 months.

17		Emiliano Grillo	Dynamic Playoffs debutant. Summer surge yielded top 15s at Memorial, Firestone, Royal Troon and Baltusrol. At 32^nd in points, a continuation clinches trip to East Lake.
Dynamic Playoffs debutant. Summer surge yielded top 15s at Memorial, Firestone, Royal Troon and Baltusrol. At 32^nd in points, a continuation clinches trip to East Lake.

18		Daniel Berger	The 22-seed. Berth in the 2015 finale secured the Rookie of the Year award despite absence of a victory. Proven streaky but picked off his breakthrough in Memphis in June.
The 22-seed. Berth in the 2015 finale secured the Rookie of the Year award despite absence of a victory. Proven streaky but picked off his breakthrough in Memphis in June.

19		Justin Thomas	Talk about hot and cold. Seeded 10^th despite 15 of 24 finishes outside the top 30. Simply, his good is really, really good. Should love Bethpage and Crooked Stick.
Talk about hot and cold. Seeded 10^th despite 15 of 24 finishes outside the top 30. Simply, his good is really, really good. Should love Bethpage and Crooked Stick.

20		Jason Dufner	Seeking first start at East Lake in three years. Odds are in his favor seeded 21^st, but resurgent season (five top 10s, another five top 25s) support it. Making Bethpage debut.
Seeking first start at East Lake in three years. Odds are in his favor seeded 21^st, but resurgent season (five top 10s, another five top 25s) support it. Making Bethpage debut.

21		Rickie Fowler	Front-loaded season the reason for his opening slot at 28^th. Showed flashes at Sedgefield en route to a timely T22. Will defend his title at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Front-loaded season the reason for his opening slot at 28^th. Showed flashes at Sedgefield en route to a timely T22. Will defend his title at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

22		Bubba Watson	Opening as 24-seed, in danger of missing second trip to East Lake in seven years, but Bethpage and Crooked Stick cater to length. Last top 10 in the U.S. was in early March.
Opening as 24-seed, in danger of missing second trip to East Lake in seven years, but Bethpage and Crooked Stick cater to length. Last top 10 in the U.S. was in early March.

23		Bill Haas	T9 at 2014 DBC is only Playoffs top 10 since he won the FedExCup in 2011, but T9 at Royal Troon in July was first career top 10 in a major. Steady 29-seed sneaks through.
T9 at 2014 DBC is only Playoffs top 10 since he won the FedExCup in 2011, but T9 at Royal Troon in July was first career top 10 in a major. Steady 29-seed sneaks through.

24		Jimmy Walker	Performance met opportunity at Baltusrol where the stars aligned in setup and weather for the 17-seed. Ranks 15^th in birdies or better despite middling ball-striking.
Performance met opportunity at Baltusrol where the stars aligned in setup and weather for the 17-seed. Ranks 15^th in birdies or better despite middling ball-striking.

25		Kevin Na	Finding second career win to be as elusive as his first (2011 Shriners), but the 9-seed is a lock for his fifth TOUR Championship. Two of eight top 10s this season in last two starts.
Finding second career win to be as elusive as his first (2011 Shriners), but the 9-seed is a lock for his fifth TOUR Championship. Two of eight top 10s this season in last two starts.

26		Sergio Garcia	Sitting out Barclays for second straight year but can afford to as the 20-seed. Spectacular 2016 has featured a win and another five top fives. Winless in the Playoffs, however.
Sitting out Barclays for second straight year but can afford to as the 20-seed. Spectacular 2016 has featured a win and another five top fives. Winless in the Playoffs, however.

27		William McGirt	The 37-year-old is poised to get to East Lake for the first time. Slotted 16th helps, but a breakout season warrants the seed. First win among career-high seven top 10s.
The 37-year-old is poised to get to East Lake for the first time. Slotted 16th helps, but a breakout season warrants the seed. First win among career-high seven top 10s.

28		Jhonattan Vegas	As the 31-seed, the Venezuelan’s emphatic return to the spotlight supported the theory of the Nappy Factor, and with Past Champion status to boot. Why slow down now?
As the 31-seed, the Venezuelan’s emphatic return to the spotlight supported the theory of the Nappy Factor, and with Past Champion status to boot. Why slow down now?

29		Si Woo Kim	Winning the Wyndham Championship lifted the 21-year-old to the 15-seed, but he was already elevating into sleeper material in his Playoffs debut. Even the sky isn’t his limit.
Winning the Wyndham Championship lifted the 21-year-old to the 15-seed, but he was already elevating into sleeper material in his Playoffs debut. Even the sky isn’t his limit.

30		Kevin Chappell	Only non-winner inside top 36 in FedExCup points, and he’s 13^th. He has five career seconds. Camilo Villegas (2008 BMW) is only first-time winner in Playoffs history.
Only non-winner inside top 36 in FedExCup points, and he’s 13^th. He has five career seconds. Camilo Villegas (2008 BMW) is only first-time winner in Playoffs history.