2013 FedEx Cup: Bubble Boys at the BMW Championship
By Les Bailey
After opening 78-77 for his first two rounds of the BMW Championship, the world’s number four golfer will undoubtably become the world’s number one tennis fan. At thirteen over par at Conway Farms Golf course, Rory McIlroy is most likely not going to advance in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and will have plenty of time to watch girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis. His 41st staring position is turning into a 53rd place ending, and although there is no cuts this weekend, it doesn’t appear that the young Northern Irishman will advance to East Lake next week.
The ball is on the twenty yard line, there’s no time on the clock, and if you lose, you go home! That is the case for quite a few big names on the PGA Tour this weekend. With only thirty players advancing to the Tour Championship next week, there are a few at, or near the cut line, and some who are not mathematically eliminated, but need to make plans for a vacation.
In 29th position is Dustin Johnson. Adding a four over par 75 on Friday to an opening round 74 has dropped him six positions going into the weekend. He doesn’t appear to have a handle on this new golf course, and there are some golfer below the cut line who are playing pretty well. He’s not out of it yet, but I think Dustin is hearing the footsteps.
2012 Masters Champ, Bubba Watson started the week in 40th position, and has improved to 35th, but will need a good weekend if he wants to continue. The good news is, Bubba is even par at Conway Farms, and the bad news is, Bubba is even par at Conway Farms. He picked up five spots shooting even par, but will need some birdies if he wants to make the top 30.
Lee Westwood is done. After opening with an 80 on Thursday, he was able to get it going in the right direction on Friday. Back problems seem to have Lee’s game in trouble, and after starting on the bubble at the 30th position, looks to be dropping like the proverbial rock. He starts the third round in 41st position, and probably headed home.
Others who are well below the cut line, and need a miracle to get to East Lake are, Graeme McDowell, Rickie Fowler, and Luke Donald. I was a little disappointed with Donald’s effort this week. This is his home course, and players were coming to him for playing tips. Luke Donald is in the midst of some swing changes, and the former world’s number one is probably looking ahead to the 2013-2014 season after some time off to practice.
As action gets underway on Saturday morning, Charles Howell III is the man on the bubble at the 30th position. Howell picked up one position, but is shooting even par for his effort this week. Jimmy Walker, Ryan Moore, and Brian Davis have all played well this week. All three are below the cut line, but if anyone of them gets hot on moving day, could work their way onto the good side of the bubble and send Howell II home.