FEDEX CUP PLAY-OFFS:THIS WEEK'S Tour Championship offers a plethora of winning scenarios for the prestigious FedEx Cup where the lucrative jackpot for the overall champion has certainly got the attention of the players.
Any of the top five players in the season-long points standings would secure the trophy, and a staggering $10 million (€7.25m) bonus, with victory at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday in the PGA Tour’s final play-off event.
“This week the zeros definitely catch your attention. That’s a lot of money, and that’s enough for you to think about, for sure,” said long-hitting American Dustin Johnson, who is one of the fortunate five going into today’s opening round lying second in the standings after a successful season highlighted by victory at The Barclays last month.
“I’ve had a pretty good year and a good play-off run,” the 27-year-old said. “I’m in a good position. All I need to do is win the tournament and I win everything but it will be tough. We’ve got 30 of the best guys on Tour playing here this week and nobody is just going to give you anything. You’re going to have to earn every bit of it.”
Only 30 players have qualified for the last of the four play-off events after 125 started out at the weather-hit Barclays won by Johnson at Plainfield Country Club.
Among those in the elite field at East Lake is Britain’s Justin Rose, who vaulted from 34th in the FedEx Cup standings to third by winning the BMW Championship at Cog Hill on Sunday.
Each of the 30 players vying for supremacy this week at East Lake has a mathematical chance of winning the FedEx Cup, with the points having been reset since last week. However that likelihood diminishes the lower down the standings the player lies going into this week’s event.
American Bo Van Pelt, ranked 30th, needs to win the Tour Championship with overall points leader Webb Simpson finishing no better than 29th, along with several other scenarios.
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Course: East Lake GC, Atlanta.
Prize money: €5.84 (winner €1.05m, plus €7.25m bonus for FedEx Cup winner).
Length: 6,692m. Par: 70. Field: 30.
The layout: Enormous course for a par 70, and the 475m par-four fifth is one of the US Tour's toughest holes. The three closing holes are tough too, par fours of 440m and 430m followed by the 215m par-three 18th. Overall, a demanding, undulating course. Rough not as thick this year, though.
Defending champion: Jim Furyk.
Type of player suited to challenge: Although tight off the tee it there is scope for the big hitter to make an impact.
Key attribute: Accuracy.
Weather forecast: Thunderstorms likely tomorrow. Fair from then on.
Time difference: 5 hours behind.
On TV: Sky Sports 1 from 6pm
