Fansided

Golfers compete for more than a win at FedEx Cup as PGA playoffs begin

By Sam Ofman

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 24: Justin Thomas of the United States celebrates with the trophy on the 18th green after winning the FedExCup and second in the TOUR Championship during the final round at East Lake Golf Club on September 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 24: Justin Thomas of the United States celebrates with the trophy on the 18th green after winning the FedExCup and second in the TOUR Championship during the final round at East Lake Golf Club on September 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Golf’s biggest stars will be on display this week at the Northern Trust in Paramus, New Jersey as postseason play begins for the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour season can be a slog. There’s a tournament just about every week of the year, with play taking up four days and often requiring morning and afternoon slates of players teeing off on both sides of the course.

Golf is played quietly, without a clock, and often features British commentators whispering into the mic. Needless to say, it doesn’t produce the sense of urgency one experiences while watching an NHL overtime period, heavyweight boxing bout or a sumo wrestler playing tug of war with an orangutan.

Sure, every shot counts on the Tour, with serious money on the line and seemingly negligible FedEx Cup points piling up like loose change in a mason jar, but nobody’s glued to the TV in May to see if the 71st guy in the standings can make a putt on the 18th green to tie for 45th place. That all changes in the playoffs.

This week, every stroke matters to every player, not just those within striking distance of the lead. Twenty-five guys are facing the end of their season if they don’t perform. Another 30 need to position themselves to avoid the same fate next week.

While the top players compete for the Cup (and some not-so-negligible loose change) there are dozens more hoping to qualify for Tour Championship field, which means serious exemptions for 2019.

And let’s not forget those unassigned captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup. Jim Furyk hasn’t made his mind up yet, and a couple of strong weeks to close the season could punch a ticket to France.

The best golfer from every U.S. state. dark. Next

Here are some scenarios to keep an eye on this week:

  • Mr. Irrelevant, Seamus Power, eked into the field as the 125th ranked player in the standings. We should all root for him to parlay this opportunity into something remarkable.
  • Ryan Palmer is sitting on the bubble to start the week as No. 100, just two points ahead of Richy Werenski and two points behind Alex Cejka.
  • Tiger Woods. It’s a golf tournament and he’s playing in it, so whether you want to keep an eye on him or not you’ll be inundated with coverage.
  • Louis Oosthuizen (No. 74) has long been a fan favorite. You should get emotionally invested in his success. He withdrew from the PGA Championship prior to the tournament so monitor his progress and, as always, keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Feel free to check out pictures of him on a tractor and buy his personally branded wine!
  • Who will step up and deliver a performance that can’t be ignored heading into the Ryder Cup? Bryson DeChambeau?  Xander Schauffele? Tony Finau? While the game’s elite play for the FedEx Cup, these guys are playing for the next big step in their young careers.

Oh, and you can keep an eye on who wins the tournament, too.

Home/PGA Tour