2018 Northern Trust - FedExCup Playoffs

[Zeph]

The 2018 playoffs starts off in New Jersey with The Northern Trust, consisting of the top 125 players in the FedEx Cup 2018.

The field is packed and Tiger makes his first appearance in the playoffs since 2013. The winner gets 2000 FedEx Cup points and some $1.62M USD. Dustin Johnson won the tournament in 2017 and is currently leading the FedEx Cup as well as sitting on top of the OWGR.

[Club Rat]

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Here's a quick look at the men who will play for that prize.

1. Dustin JohnsonSeeking 10th consecutive season in the top 30; runner-up in 2016 FedExCup.

2. Justin ThomasThree wins this season as he tries to become the first back-to-back FedExCup champ.

3. Brooks KoepkaHe's the first player to win two majors since Jordan Spieth in 2015.

4. Justin RoseWon twice and finished in the top 10 in 8 of 14 starts; sixth in Strokes Gained: Putting.

5. Bubba WatsonResponded to his worst FedExCup finish (75th) with his first three-win season.

6. Jason DayLed in Strokes Gained: Putting and Around-the-Green en route to two wins.

7. Webb SimpsonTHE PLAYERS champ cracked the FedExCup's top-10 with runner-up at Wyndham.

8. Francesco MolinariHad two wins (Quicken Loans, The Open) and a runner-up in three July starts.

9. Bryson DeChambeauWon the Memorial and was runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

10. Patrick ReedMasters champ is seeking fifth straight TOUR Championship berth.

11. Phil MickelsonWin in Mexico was first since 2013; second in Strokes Gained: Putting.

12. Tony FinauHighest-ranked player without a win; eight top-10s includes two runners-up.

13. Jon RahmFinished fifth in his FedExCup debut; won this year's CareerBuilder Challenge.

14. Patrick CantlayEarned his first win at Shriners; seventh in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee.

15. Patton KizzireGeorgia resident has never made East Lake; led the FedExCup after two early wins.

16. Paul CaseyValspar was his first win since 2009; has qualified for last three TOUR Championships.

17. Rickie FowlerNo wins, but runners-up at the Masters and OHL Classic.

18. Kyle StanleyFifth in driving accuracy and eighth in greens hit; was 2nd at WGC-Bridgestone.

19. Kevin NaFinal-round 64 at Greenbrier gave Na his first victory since 2011. 

20. Tiger WoodsThe only two-time FedExCup champ is making his first Playoffs start since 2013.

21. Rory McIlroyArnold Palmer Invitational was his first win since 2016 TOUR Championship, FedExCup. 

22. Marc LeishmanFinished sixth in 2017 FedExCup after two wins; has two runners-up this season.

23. Tommy FleetwoodFleetwood's first FedExCup season included a runner-up at the U.S. Open.

24. Chesson HadleyThe 2017 Web.com Tour Player of the Year started this season T3-2nd-T4. 

25. Pat PerezMade East Lake debut last year at age 41; started this season with win at CIMB.

26. Andrew LandryLost to Rahm in CareerBuilder playoff before winning Texas Open in his home state.

27. Aaron WiseFinished 2nd at Wells Fargo and won AT&T Byron Nelson in consecutive starts.

28. Xander SchauffeleThe 2017 Rookie of the Year was runner-up at THE PLAYERS and The Open.

29. Luke ListThe 33-year-old is seeking his first TOUR Championship bid; lost Honda playoff to JT.

30. Brandt SnedekerThe 2012 FedExCup champ jumped 50 spots with his win at Wyndham.

31. Austin CookWon The RSM Classic to finish fall ranked third in the FedExCup.

32. Brian HarmanSecond on TOUR in top-10s (8); started season with five in a row.

33. Gary WoodlandWaste Management Phoenix Open was his first win since 2013.

34. Ian PoulterWon Houston Open for first win since 2012; has never made TOUR Championship.

35. Andrew PutnamEarned first win at Barracuda and was 2nd to DJ at FedEx St. Jude.

36. Chez ReavieHad back-to-back runners-up at Phoenix Open and AT&T Pebble Beach. 

37. Ryan ArmourArmour, 42, won for first time at Sanderson Farms; third in driving accuracy (72.9%).

38. Brendan SteeleStarted season with second straight Safeway Open win; has never made East Lake.

39. Alex NorenLost playoff to Day at Torrey Pines; fifth in Strokes Gained: Putting.

40. Kevin KisnerHas played past three TOUR Championships; runner-up at Match Play and The Open.

41. Billy HorschelThe 2014 FedExCup champ won the Zurich Classic with teammate Scott Piercy.

42. Beau HosslerThe 23-year-old was 2nd at Houston, Travelers; seventh in Strokes Gained: Putting.

43. Jordan SpiethThe 2015 FedExCup champ has never missed the TOUR Championship.

44. Byeong Hun AnLost Memorial playoff to DeChambeau and was runner-up at RBC Canadian Open.

45. Emiliano Grillo2016 Rookie of the Year finished 3rd twice this season; eighth in Strokes Gained: Putting.

46. Si Woo Kim2017 PLAYERS champ lost a playoff at the RBC Heritage and finished third at OHL.

47. Charles Howell IIIHas never finished outside top 100 in FedExCup; has cracked top 30 twice.

48. Brian GayT6 at Wyndham was his sixth top-10 of the season, his most since 2008.

49. Keegan BradleyCIMB Classic runner-up was best finish since 2014; third in Strokes Gained: Approach.

50. Henrik StensonThe 2013 FedExCup champ is dealing with elbow discomfort.

51. J.J. SpaunThe second-year TOUR player was 2nd at RSM and had two third-place finishes.

52. Zach JohnsonHas finished in the top 25 in 14 of 22 starts, but only has two top-10s. 

53. Cameron SmithStarted season with consecutive top-5s; also finished T5 at Match Play and the Masters.

54. Scott PiercyWon Zurich Classic with Horschel; ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green.

55. Ryan MooreRanks 145th in Strokes Gained: Putting after finishing 32nd in that statistic in 2016.

56. Rafa Cabrera BelloMatched his best finish with T3 at WGC-Mexico; 14th in Strokes Gained: Approach.

57. Whee KimLost playoff to Cantlay at Shriners and was runner-up at RBC Canadian Open.

58. Stewart CinkTravelers runner-up was best finish since 2009 Open win; sixth in Strokes Gained: Approach.

59. Chris KirkHasn't returned to the TOUR Championship since finishing 2nd in the 2014 FedExCup.

60. Ted Potter, Jr.Lone top-10 was win at AT&T Pebble Beach over DJ, Day and Mickelson.

61. Jimmy WalkerT2 at THE PLAYERS was his best finish since 2016, one of four top-10s this season.

62. Jason KokrakRanks 16th on TOUR in driving distance (310.5 yards); was T3 at The Greenbrier.

63. C.T. PanWyndham runner-up ranks seventh in greens hit and 16th in driving accuracy.

64. Matt KucharHas played past eight TOUR Championships; four top-10s is fewest since 2007.

65. Joel DahmenHad four top-15s in July, including T5 at The Greenbrier and T2 at John Deere.

66. Michael KimWon John Deere  with TOUR's best Strokes Gained: Putting performance of the season. 

67. Kevin StreelmanFive top-10s match a career-high; fourth in greens in regulation (72.1%).

68. Keith MitchellRookie ranks sixth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee; four top-10s include a 2nd and T3.

69. J.B. HolmesWas 120th in FedExCup before back-to-back top-3s at FedEx St. Jude and Travelers. 

70. Adam HadwinHas fallen from 18th to 129th in Strokes Gained: Putting after East Lake debut in 2017.

71. Brice GarnettThe 34-year-old earned his first PGA TOUR title at Corales Puntacana.

72. Kelly KraftFinished 72nd in 2017 FedExCup with a 2nd and a 3rd; has a 2nd and 3rd this season.

73. Adam ScottWas in danger of missing Playoffs for first time before finishing third at PGA.

74. Louis OosthuizenThird-place finish at Zurich Classic was his best of the season; also fifth in Fort Worth.

75. Troy MerrittWas 131st before winning Barbasol with a blood clot in his arm.

76. Hideki MatsuyamaEntered last year's Playoffs as FedExCup leader; no top-10s since January.

77. Satoshi KodairaBecame a TOUR member after winning the RBC Heritage, his only top-10 of the season.

78. Kevin ChappellHas played in past two TOUR Championships; ranks 15th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee.

79. James HahnLone top-10 was playoff loss to Kizzire at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

80. Tom HogeFailed to make Playoffs in three prior seasons; finished career-best third at Sony.

81. Peter UihleinRookie had three fifth-place finishes: WGC-HSBC, Wells Fargo and Memorial.

82. Branden GraceShot a final-round 62 to finish T3 at AT&T Byron Nelson, his best finish of the season.

83. Abraham AncerFinished 190th in FedExCup as a rookie in 2016; has four top-10s this season.

84. Russell KnoxWon the Irish Open, but his best finish on TOUR this season is T7 at the Zurich Classic.

85. Kevin TwayMatched career-high with three top-10s, including T5 at Fort Worth.

86. Jamie LovemarkBig man ranks third in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green; three top-10s this season.

87. Ollie SchniederjansAnother member of the Class of 2011; finished T3 in Phoenix.

88. Russell HenleyWas 13th in 2017 FedExCup; posted consecutive top-10s at Travelers and Greenbrier.

89. Daniel BergerMade TOUR Championship in previous three seasons; has just one top-10 this season.

90. Jason DufnerPlayed in past two TOUR Championships; finished T5 at PLAYERS.

91. Anirban LahiriTwo-time Presidents Cup participant had two top-10s in Asia, T6 at WGC-Bridgestone.

92. Tyrrell HattonMaking Playoffs debut; his four top-10s came at two WGCs and two majors.

93. Patrick RodgersRanks 14th in Strokes Gained: Putting, an improvement of 110 spots over last season.

94. Brandon HarkinsThe 32-year-old rookie thrived in his home state of California, collecting four top-15s there.

95. Trey MullinaxFinished 2nd at Valero Texas Open; second on TOUR in driving distance (319.7 yards).

96. Charl SchwartzelRunner-up at THE PLAYERS and teamed with Oosthuizen to finish third at Zurich.

97. Rory SabbatiniHas finished outside FedExCup's top 100 in three of previous four seasons.

98. Charley HoffmanPresidents Cup participant is only player to make this season's Playoffs without a top-10.

99. Alex CejkaTwo top-10s in November accounted for 63% of his FedExCup points.

100. Ryan PalmerPlayoff loss at Farmers Insurance Open was best finish since 2015.

101. Richy WerenskiLike last year, used a late-season runner-up to clinch Playoffs spot (T2, Barbasol).

102. Nick WatneyRunner-up at Wells Fargo was his lone top-10 and best finish since 2015.

103. Danny LeeWas 124th until T6 in second-to-last start of Regular Season (RBC Canadian Open).

104. Sung KangFinished third at CIMB Classic and Quicken Loans National.

105. John HuhSeventh consecutive Playoffs appearance; made TOUR Championship as rookie in 2012.

106. Harold Varner IIIFinished T7 at THE PLAYERS; ranked 139th before back-to-back July top-10s.

107. Scott StallingsPosted back-to-back top-10s in California (7th, AT&T Pebble Beach; T4, Genesis).

108. Tyler DuncanRookie's best finish came at Safeway Open (T5), where he held 54-hole lead.

109. William McGirtNever finished outside FedExCup's top 100 in seven previous seasons; has hip injury.

110. J.T. PostonPoston and Mullinax were only to crack top 125 while playing out of 126-150 category.

111. Bronson BurgoonWas 160th in FedExCup before T6 at Quicken Loans and runner-up at John Deere.

112. Vaughn TaylorThree top-10s are most since 2010 (had four from 2011-17, including a win). 

113. Martin LairdThree top-10s, including back-to-back T9s at Phoenix and Genesis.

114. Sam RyderRookie was 148th before back-to-back top-10s in July (T2, Deere; T7, Barbasol).

115. Grayson Murray170th in Strokes Gained: Putting and 178th in SG: Approach but 22nd in birdie average.

116. Ryan BlaumShot four sub-70 rounds at Sony (T10), AT&T Byron Nelson (T6) and Travelers (T12).

117. Scott BrownBoth of his top-10s came in the fall (T5, CJ CUP; T6, OHL Classic).

118. Brian StuardAfter finishing 145th in 2017 FedExCup, finished T4 at Sanderson Farms and Sony Open. 

119. Nick TaylorCracked top 125 with final-round 63 at Wyndham (T8), his first top-10 since season opener.

120. Sam SaundersMaking Playoffs debut after T5 at Greenbrier and T7 at Barracuda.

121. Sean O'HairPosted a runner-up finish for fourth consecutive season (T2, Valero).

122. Bud CauleyHasn't played since being involved in car accident at Memorial.

123. Jhonattan VegasWon in Canada and played at East Lake in 2016 and 2017, but just one top-10 this season.

124. Harris EnglishMissed 10 of 12 cuts before finishing T11 at Wyndham to crack top 125.

125. Seamus PowerTop-10s at Zurich (T10) and Corales Puntacana (T5).

[nevets88]

Trying to decide last minute whether to go to a practice round or actual round, I've never seen Bubba Watson play, that's pretty much my bucket list, I want to see him shape the ball.

[Club Rat]

Note on Players entered. Rickie has withdrawn (oblique tear) and Rodgers also (Wedding)
Not sure who obtains their spots?

[MacDutch]

1 hour ago, Club Rat said:

Note on Players entered. Rickie has withdrawn (oblique tear) and Rodgers also (Wedding)
Not sure who obtains their spots?

This is a hard cut no? Garcia is 128th in the standings...

Edited August 20, 2018 by MacDutch

[Club Rat]

53 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

This is a hard cut no?

Only 125 players plus ties, qualify participate in this event.
The field will be cut to players within 10 shots of the lead or top 60 players for the weekend.
In the next event (Dell Technologies) only top 100 players will play.
https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fedex-cup-playoffs-and-its-confusing-rules/

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The FedEx Cup is the PGA Tour's annual playoff in which players earn points throughout the season to qualify, then participate in a four-event playoff to earn a $10 million bonus prize.

Golfers amass points -- based on their finishes in individual tournaments -- in the FedEx Cup regular season, which runs from January through mid-August. The top 125 finishers in the point standings advance to the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup, a series of four tournaments that successively narrow the field and culminate with the FedEx Cup champion being crowned after the Tour Championship in late September.

https://www.pgatour.com/fedexcup/fedexcup-overview.html

https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02671.html

1 hour ago, MacDutch said:

Garcia is 128th in the standings...

Unless more players withdraw, he may not play, I think. I could be wrong.

https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/garcia-among-notables-miss-fedexcup-playoffs/

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For the first time in the 12-year history of the FedExCup, the PGA Tour's postseason will proceed without Sergio Garcia.

The former Masters champ has struggled mightily this summer, missing the cut in all four majors, and he entered the Wyndham Championship at No. 131 in the season-long points race with only the top 125 making the playoffs. Six years after winning at Sedgefield Country Club, Garcia again made a run up the leaderboard and was projected to reach No. 122 heading into the final round.

But on an afternoon where Brandt Snedeker shot 65 en route to victory and runner-up Webb Simpson carded a 62, Garcia shot an even-par 70 that included three back-nine bogeys to drop from a tie for eighth into a tie for 24th. As a result, he moved up only three spots to No. 128 in the final regular-season event and will not have a tee time next week at The Northern Trust.

 

[HJJ003]

1 hour ago, MacDutch said:

This is a hard cut no? Garcia is 128th in the standings...

This is a hard cut. Garcia can not get into this tournament. 

[brocks]

On 8/20/2018 at 2:01 PM, Club Rat said:

Unless more players withdraw, he may not play, I think. I could be wrong.

From the link you gave:

"The top 125 players from the FedExCup competition, after the Wyndham Championship, will be eligible to play in the first playoff event.  In the event that one of those players is unable or chooses not to play, the field will be shortened and no alternates will be added."

So nobody outside the top 125 can play.  Same for the rest of the events --- nobody outside the top 100, 70, or 30 plays in the next three, even if players withdraw.

Edited August 21, 2018 by brocks

[Zeph]

We are missing Rickie, Rory, Henrik, Patrick's Rodgers and Bud Cauley as far as I can tell. Down to 120 players. 

Rory has taken the week off it seems:

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"I need to assess where I'm at, and I think the best thing for me to do right now is take a couple of days off and reflect on what I need to do going forward. The best thing might be to take that first FedEx Cup week off and work on my game and hopefully come back in a better place.

Henrik has withdrawn due to an elbow injury.

[iacas]

 

[Zeph]

The back-nine groups will be starting on hole 9 rather than hole 10. TigerTracker  tweeted that he'd been told it's got to do with logistics and a local cemetery.

This week's featured groups:

Tiger Woods (20), Marc Leishman (22), Tommy Fleetwood (23)
Tee times: 7:54 a.m. off No. 9 tee on Thursday; 12:55 p.m. off No. 1 on Friday.

Dustin Johnson (1), Justin Thomas (2), Brooks Koepka (3)
Tee times: 8:05 a.m. off No. 9 tee on Thursday; 1:06 p.m. off No. 1 tee on Friday.

[Zeph]

We're live here: https://www.pgatourlive.com/tournament/R2018027/39157999/round-1-featured-groups

Tiger with two pars after two drives in the left rough, not too far off the fairway. Hit a good iron on the par three 11th with 3 yards for birdie.

Edited August 23, 2018 by Zeph

[iacas]

Missed it left. Didn't break.

[rehmwa]

Are they streaming it anywhere other than PGA Live ($$)?

 

 

[colin007]

Seemed to strike the ball ok today, just not close enough to put together anything.

[nevets88]

 

 

[nevets88]

 

This account has some good drone flyovers.

 

[nevets88]

Did not know it was Tiillinghast.

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The kick-off event to this year’s FedEx Cup will showcase the essence of Golden Age architecture. The Northern Trust (formerly the Barclays) brings the PGA Tour back to Ridgewood Country Club; a classic A.W. Tillinghast course in a busy New Jersey suburb 15 minutes outside of New York City. Sometimes overshadowed by his other championship layouts in the area at Winged Foot, Bethpage Black, and Baltusrol, Ridgewood holds its own near the top of Tilly’s portfolio and is widely considered one of the two or three best 27-hole golf courses in the world. It is the type of place that looks and plays like it could host the U.S. Open pretty much any day of the week.

http://www.friedegg.co/golf-courses/ridgewood-country-club-review