2012 Tour Championship Discussion Thread: PGA Tour Playoffs

[jshots]

Who are you hoping wins and who do you think is going to win?

I want Rory to win and think Rory is going to win. His game is on right now ( well it has been). I wouldn't mind if Tiger won though either.

[boogielicious]

I liked last year when Bill Haas didn't even know he won.

[mvmac]

You guys think there’s something wrong about the fact that McIlroy can win two postseason events and a major, run away with Player of the Year honors and still see his $10 million wind up in someone else’s pocket? Any of the four guys immediately behind Rory can swipe the overall title with a victory at East Lake

Here are the power rankings from pgatour.com

Power Rankings: TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola

Rank Player Comment Tiger WOODS The 2007 champion and four-time runner-up at East Lake returns for the first time since 2009. Finished third at TPC Boston and T4 at Crooked Stick. Enters the finale ranked second in points. Sits sixth in total driving and second in adjusted scoring. Rory McILROY The FedExCup leader is one of seven first-timers at East Lake. It's his only detriment. Winner of three of his last four starts, including the last two at which he scored 20-under in each. Leads the PGA TOUR in both birdie average and adjusted scoring. Phil MICKELSON Have claw grip, will contend. Chased a tie for fourth at TPC Boston with a T2 at Crooked Stick. Fifth on TOUR in Strokes Gained-Putting. Only two-time champ at East Lake (2000, 2009). One of three to qualify for every FedExCup finale. Fourth in points. Jim FURYK Started postseason ranked 17th in the FedExCup, highest among 2012 non-winners. Led field at Crooked Stick in Strokes Gained-Putting; placed ninth. Won at East Lake in his last start (2010); third straight top 10. Fourth on TOUR in adjusted scoring. Adam SCOTT Quietly rattled off top 10s in the last two events and rose to a season-high 21st in the FedExCup standings. Held the 36-hole lead at East Lake last year en route to a T6. Won here in 2006. Ranks 36th in greens in regulation and fifth in adjusted scoring. Luke DONALD At 15th in FedExCup points, he's highest among seven in the field that didn't post top 25s in either of the last two events. Runner-up at East Lake in 2010; tied for third last year. Ranks second in Strokes Gained-Putting and 14th in adjusted scoring. Jason DUFNER After starting the Playoffs ranked second in FedExCup and electing not to compete in The Barclays, he's drifted to 10th. May own the best skill set for East Lake: 16th in fairways hit, fourth in GIR; 64th in Strokes Gained-Putting; fourth in par breakers. Lee WESTWOOD One of seven making his debut at East Lake. Shared runner-up honors at Crooked Stick -- his third straight top 15 -- to rise 15 spots in FedExCup points to eighth. Sits second on TOUR in greens in regulation and 15th in adjusted scoring. Brandt SNEDEKER Sneaks in ranked fifth in points, last among the guys that are guaranteed a FedExCup title with a victory. After earning his way onto the Ryder Cup team, he settled for a T37 at the BMW Championship. Leads the TOUR in Strokes Gained-Putting. Sergio GARCIA First appearance at East Lake since a playoff loss in 2008. After posting a T3 at The Barclays, he rested during the second leg of the Playoffs, and then placed T24 at Crooked Stick. Ranks 18th in both Strokes Gained-Putting and adjusted scoring. Louis OOSTHUIZEN One of seven first-timers at East Lake. Regained the form with which he closed out 2011 and started this year. Seven consecutive top 25s entering, including a solo second at TPC Boston. Ranks sixth in greens hit and eighth in adjusted scoring. Bo VAN PELT En route to a solo ninth at East Lake last year, he led the field in fairways hit and played holes 9-18 in bogey-free 9-under. Currently 28th in accuracy off the tee, 21st in GIR, 13th in Strokes Gained-Putting and 12th in adjusted scoring. Ernie ELS Six top 10s in eight appearances at East Lake, including in all three since 2008. However, since winning the British Open two months ago, he's gone six starts without a top 25. Forever playing above his average splits, he's 23rd in adjusted scoring. Dustin JOHNSON He's seventh in FedExCup points, but he's the only golfer in the field with top 10s in all three postseason events, the worst finish of which was a share of sixth place at Crooked Stick. Hasn't cracked the top 20 in three appearances at East Lake. Ryan MOORE Started Playoffs ranked 64th, lowest in this field. One of two to play his way in from outside top 30 at Crooked Stick, rising seven spots to 28th after a T10; ranked inside top 10 in fairways, GIR and Strokes Gained-Putting. Also finished T10 at TPC Boston.

[zeg]

No problem at all. The FedEx Cup is, by its very careful design, not the Player of the Year award. You never complain about someone else getting "their" Superbowl rings if a team has the best regular season record and loses in the playoffs. It's a separate competition, and the whole point is that it's not a foregone conclusion before the last event is even teed up.

[joekelly]

If all works out I will be going to the practice session at East Lake on Wednesday.  Maybe take a few photos. A bit of rain just now, nothing serious expected and Wed looks mostly clear and mild. Since only a few players at East Lake to follow, i hope to see plenty. What will i come home with, besides sore feet?  I have seen the pros smash the ball like John Henry hit those spikes, relentlessly with power and accuracy, so do not expect to be amazed but i have never seen Tiger in person.  I'll bring my Nike socks for him to sign.

[jshots]

Originally Posted by mvmac

You guys think there’s something wrong about the fact that McIlroy can win two postseason events and a major, run away with Player of the Year honors and still see his $10 million wind up in someone else’s pocket? Any of the four guys immediately behind Rory can swipe the overall title with a victory at East Lake

Here are the power rankings from pgatour.com

Power Rankings: TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola

Rank

Player

Comment

Tiger

WOODS

The 2007 champion and four-time runner-up at East Lake returns for the first time since 2009. Finished third at TPC Boston and T4 at Crooked Stick. Enters the finale ranked second in points. Sits sixth in total driving and second in adjusted scoring.

Rory

McILROY

The FedExCup leader is one of seven first-timers at East Lake. It's his only detriment. Winner of three of his last four starts, including the last two at which he scored 20-under in each. Leads the PGA TOUR in both birdie average and adjusted scoring.

Phil

MICKELSON

Have claw grip, will contend. Chased a tie for fourth at TPC Boston with a T2 at Crooked Stick. Fifth on TOUR in Strokes Gained-Putting. Only two-time champ at East Lake (2000, 2009). One of three to qualify for every FedExCup finale. Fourth in points.

Jim

FURYK

Started postseason ranked 17th in the FedExCup, highest among 2012 non-winners. Led field at Crooked Stick in Strokes Gained-Putting; placed ninth. Won at East Lake in his last start (2010); third straight top 10. Fourth on TOUR in adjusted scoring.

Adam

SCOTT

Quietly rattled off top 10s in the last two events and rose to a season-high 21st in the FedExCup standings. Held the 36-hole lead at East Lake last year en route to a T6. Won here in 2006. Ranks 36th in greens in regulation and fifth in adjusted scoring.

Luke

DONALD

At 15th in FedExCup points, he's highest among seven in the field that didn't post top 25s in either of the last two events. Runner-up at East Lake in 2010; tied for third last year. Ranks second in Strokes Gained-Putting and 14th in adjusted scoring.

Jason

DUFNER

After starting the Playoffs ranked second in FedExCup and electing not to compete in The Barclays, he's drifted to 10th. May own the best skill set for East Lake: 16th in fairways hit, fourth in GIR; 64th in Strokes Gained-Putting; fourth in par breakers.

Lee

WESTWOOD

One of seven making his debut at East Lake. Shared runner-up honors at Crooked Stick -- his third straight top 15 -- to rise 15 spots in FedExCup points to eighth. Sits second on TOUR in greens in regulation and 15th in adjusted scoring.

Brandt

SNEDEKER

Sneaks in ranked fifth in points, last among the guys that are guaranteed a FedExCup title with a victory. After earning his way onto the Ryder Cup team, he settled for a T37 at the BMW Championship. Leads the TOUR in Strokes Gained-Putting.

Sergio

GARCIA

First appearance at East Lake since a playoff loss in 2008. After posting a T3 at The Barclays, he rested during the second leg of the Playoffs, and then placed T24 at Crooked Stick. Ranks 18th in both Strokes Gained-Putting and adjusted scoring.

Louis

OOSTHUIZEN

One of seven first-timers at East Lake. Regained the form with which he closed out 2011 and started this year. Seven consecutive top 25s entering, including a solo second at TPC Boston. Ranks sixth in greens hit and eighth in adjusted scoring.

Bo

VAN PELT

En route to a solo ninth at East Lake last year, he led the field in fairways hit and played holes 9-18 in bogey-free 9-under. Currently 28th in accuracy off the tee, 21st in GIR, 13th in Strokes Gained-Putting and 12th in adjusted scoring.

Ernie

ELS

Six top 10s in eight appearances at East Lake, including in all three since 2008. However, since winning the British Open two months ago, he's gone six starts without a top 25. Forever playing above his average splits, he's 23rd in adjusted scoring.

Dustin

JOHNSON

He's seventh in FedExCup points, but he's the only golfer in the field with top 10s in all three postseason events, the worst finish of which was a share of sixth place at Crooked Stick. Hasn't cracked the top 20 in three appearances at East Lake.

Ryan

MOORE

Started Playoffs ranked 64th, lowest in this field. One of two to play his way in from outside top 30 at Crooked Stick, rising seven spots to 28th after a T10; ranked inside top 10 in fairways, GIR and Strokes Gained-Putting. Also finished T10 at TPC Boston.

I love tiger as much as anyone but how can he be ranked higher than Rory?

[sean_miller]

Pulling for Dufner or Snedeker but expecting Tiger or Rory to rise to the occasion.

[kathybhylton]

No doubt it's either Rory or Tiger..

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by jshots

I love tiger as much as anyone but how can he be ranked higher than Rory?

It's not a "ranking" as in "who's better," but "who has a better shot of winning this week?"  I'll agree that Tiger should be the favorite this week:  he's playing the best golf he's played in 3 years, and he loves this course.  Rory has never played East Lake (in competition), and he has to be worn out from winning 3 out of his last 4.  He's good--better than Tiger right now, IMO--but that puts a lot of strain on a young man's psyche.

[k-troop]

Pretty boring tournament this week, apparently, judging by the lack of comments.  Nothing much going on, except for Tiger about to take a first-round lead in the Tour Championship, which could give him his 4th win of the season and his 3rd FedEx Cup.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Pretty boring tournament this week, apparently, judging by the lack of comments.  Nothing much going on, except for Tiger about to take a first-round lead in the Tour Championship, which could give him his 4th win of the season and his 3rd FedEx Cup.

Yeah, why is that?  Did the excitement die down because of the extra week off?  Or is everybody just waiting for them to hurry up and play the Ryder Cup?

[k-troop]

Interesting article about how the final FedEx Cup points break out based on your standings going into the TC.

http://tourreport.pgatour.com/2012/09/20/rory-has-advantage-as-no-1-seed/

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Interesting article about how the final FedEx Cup points break out based on your standings going into the TC.

http://tourreport.pgatour.com/2012/09/20/rory-has-advantage-as-no-1-seed/

That is interesting, thanks.  Some excerpts:

• Any of the top 5 seeds WILL win the Cup with a win this week.
• Nobody outside of the top 6 seeds can win the Cup without winning this week.
• Rory has a 25% chance of winning the Cup without winning this week. (#2 seed Tiger has only 7% chance)
• Several players (didn't say how many) could win the Cup with this being their only win of the season
• Even the 30th seed has a chance to win it all (in their 5000 trials, the 30th seed won the Cup 4 times)

[joekelly]

What's the payout for those finishing, let's say, 15th, halfway to the top?  Everyone will find a nice payday, I'm sure but don't know how much. In fact, i guess besides the  $10,000,000 top prize, the prize money for the field  is not widely advertised.  I'm of the opinion that, for the  pros at East Lake.  even loafing about for 4 days and finishing near the bottom will easily exceed my yearly income.  Let me assure you that is NOT a guess.  I'm certainly within the  Romney 47%  which puts me, compared to the golf pros, and money barons, like Romney, in the bottom bag.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by joekelly

What's the payout for those finishing, let's say, 15th, halfway to the top?  Everyone will find a nice payday, I'm sure but don't know how much. In fact, i guess besides the  $10,000,000 top prize, the prize money for the field  is not widely advertised.  I'm of the opinion that, for the  pros at East Lake.  even loafing about for 4 days and finishing near the bottom will easily exceed my yearly income.  Let me assure you that is NOT a guess.  I'm certainly within the  Romney 47%  which puts me, compared to the golf pros, and money barons, like Romney, in the bottom bag.

Looks like 30th place in this weekends tournament gets 128k.  Looks like slightly more for finishing 30th overall.  (Last year it was 175k)

So if Scott Peircy (30th coming in) shoots 97 for 4 straight days and ends up +100, he can still keep his head up cuz he's going home with upwards of 300,000 dollars.

[preisman]

Tiger is my pick, but I would like to see Kuchar and Bubba up there on Sunday with a chance.

[goob3r]

Pulling for Rory and Phil. Tiger looked pretty good today.

[k-troop]

Tiger looked great today.  Looked like he was a few inches away from a 63.  And Phil was all over the place off the tee, but still managed to have about 6 great looks at birdie that barely missed.