I apologize for this being sorta last minute and I also apologize for having a nice buzz going/night topping drink in hand (it’s golf night). However very few of you will be watching the next two days at the Barclays anyway so let’s just write this one off and get ready for some closer coverage of the least publicized playoff series’ that is one of the most exciting.

Before we hit how to bet this event let’s touch on the rules a bit. The most exciting thing that in the rules/get ready you haven’t heard this yet; The top 125 in FedEx Cup points qualify for the playoffs. Only the top 125 will receive a PGA Tour Card for the following season. Basically make the playoffs or fail to be allowed in on a regular basis. Imagine a terrible season from the Lakers this year and then losing their right to play in the NBA without winning qualifying events to play regular season games. I know I am overplaying that a bit but the thought of either make the playoffs or don’t make the Tour sounds exciting as hell.

Sorry for that sort of tangent, since I didn’t touch on the rules, so here we go. There are four events in these playoffs starting with tomorrow’s event at The Barclay’s. This first event obviously has a field of 125 players however only the top 100 will play the Labor Day event at the Deutsche Bank. However to make things more difficult for the guys on the bubble both of the first two events will feature a cut after round 2, at the top 70 players plus ties. Then the final event features the most points for winning. That means guys could scrape by before playing exceptionally well and getting back into it (Like Brandt Snedeker last year, who was out of the top 10 in points to end the season but then went on to win the Tour Championship and the $10M prize that went along with being the FedEx Cup Champion). Also a new rule going into place in a few short weeks is that the regular season will begin immediately after The Tour Championship. FedEx Cup points will available every week from there until next year’s Tour Championship. The regular season points count which means a win at The Tour Championship could likely result in a championship for anyone currently in the top 5.

My Pick:

Tiger Woods 3-1

This is my pick because I think he is ready to burst back on the scene. A win at The Tour Championship is exactly what the PGA would want out of the current points leader. I think Tiger goes out with a bang this year and wins this thing. 3-1 may be crap odds but you are getting a winner, don’t be afraid to hedge with some of the following.

Phil Mickelson 8-1

The high that his win at The Open created should be over after a disappointing PGA Championship. Phil should bounce back with some great focus these next few weeks. The fact that he is currently fourth in the standings, by 600 points, there is a rather large gap between 4th and 5th.  

Matt Kuchar 10-1

The incredibly consistent Matt Kuchar finds himself 2nd in the standings just 46 points behind Woods. Kuchar can win on any given week, especially at these four courses. He is without a doubt a top tier player in the golf world.

Brandt Snedeker 10-1

The defending champ finds himself in much more favorable position this year. This year he has played rather well and finds himself sitting 3rd in points not too far behind Kuchar. These courses once again benefit him and could provide us with quite the title defense.

Jason Dufner 30-1

This guy is just playing incredible golf right now. 30-1 is a gift even if he may be riding high after winning his first major. Since nothing seems to crack this guy he may just go along business as usual and win himself a season long championship trophy and establish himself as a force in the sport of golf. This may be the last time you see Dufner anywhere near 30-1.

mlz

Wednesday, August 21, 2013