FedEx Cup - The Tour Championship

The Tour Championship is getting ready to start on Thursday. Right now it really comes down to the obvious choice, Tiger, followed up by Phil and Steve to win the FedEx Cup. Sure KJ and and Rory have a mathematical chance in hell, but it ain't going to happen unless the top 3 decide not to show up or something more sinister happens(kidnapping, poison, etc) All kidding aside, I think Steve Stricker has a shot, but I don't think that Phil has the mental game to contend. I know that he held it together at the Deutsche Bank, but even though he's a future hall of famer, he's also a choke artist when the pressure is really on. Stricker, on the other hand, has really been a stellar performer in the pressure cooker. Yeah he shanked that tee shot on number 12 at the BMW last week, but if he gets a good start, he has a shot.

The FedEx Cup has come under fire and the only thing it really brings to the table is getting most of the marquee players in the same field for four weeks in a row. I say most because, Tiger, Ernie, Phil, and Padraig have skipped a week. How can a playoff be considered a playoff if you can skip an event and still make it to the finals? I've read ideas on other blogs on ways to force players to participate, like if you miss a cut or don't show up, you're out. The missed cut thing doesn't really hold water but I do like the "no show - no play" idea. I understand that four weeks in a row is a lot of golf considering the Wednesday pro-am events that take place and travel, etc. Maybe space out the playoffs with a week in between each event, or have a 5th event and have a best 4 event aggregate, leaving the option to skip an event if you think you can afford to.

I won't go into the $10 million "prize" ... okay, if you insist. The winner can't get the money until he's 45 and must not be an active player. I don't understand the "active player" clause. If the winner doesn't officially retire and moves onto the Champions Tour at 50 can he still not get the money? Can he retire and grab the loot then join the Champions tour? It makes no sense.....


Dale