When the PGA Tour introduced the FedEx Cup in 2007 this must have been what they were dreaming about. The biggest names in golf playing one tournament to decide who wins the $10 Million... and a trophy. As FedEx Cup looks to crown its sixth champion this year, we finally have a dream field.
The FedEx Cup is setup so the top five players heading into the Tour Championship win the playoffs with a victory. Your top five this week are: Brandt Snedeker (5th), Phil Mickelson (4th), Nick Watney (3rd), Tiger Woods (2nd), and Rory McIlroy (1st). These players have combined for 10 wins on the PGA Tour in 2012 including Rory McIlroy who is coming off back-to-back wins. The top five have also combined for 34 top 10 finishes on 2012, a stat not to be overlooked.
If you're in the marketing department at the PGA Tour this is a dream come true!
Just beyond the top five we see more fan favorites. Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Jason Dufner, and Zach Johnson. All within the top 10 and a reasonable chance of winning the FedEx Cup if no one in the top 5 can win this week. Does it get any better than this?! Yes.
They have less of a chance of winning the FedEx Cup but they can shake things up by winning the Tour Championship. The Masters Champion, Bubba Watson, sits just outside the top 10 along with Sergio Garcia, Keegan Bradley, Steve Stricker and former world #1, Luke Donald.
It's All About the Top 5, Right?
Having a 30 player field with some of the biggest names can be fun but in 2012, it's about the top five. The dream matchup is Tiger vs. Rory.... New vs. Old. USA v. Europe (I have the Ryder Cup on my mind). One tournament to win $10 million. Tiger has been here before and is the only player to win the FedEx Cup twice (2007 & 2009).Will this be lucky number three or will Rory win his first?
Tiger, along with Jim Furyk (18th) and Phil Mickelson are the only players in the field this week who have won the Tour Championship. Tiger and Furyk went on to win the FedEx Cup, Mickelson did not. What about Watney and Snedeker? With all the talk surrounding Rory and Tiger, can they fly under the radar and win it all?
The focus will be on the top five because they control their own destiny but don't rule anyone out. If you're in the Tour Championship, you have a chance to win it all. Just ask 2011 champion Bill Haas... He started his final round last year in 25th place before taking home the title.
My Pick to Win: Rory McIlroy
Who I'm rooting for: Phil Mickelson
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