1. Dreaming of an altered playoff system
Now in its 10th year, the FedEx Cup playoffs have been the source of considerable discussion -- and sometimes derision. Whether it's the points formula or the overall format or all manner of other aspects, the four-tournament playoff system to end the season is such that there are no shortage of "better'' ways to conduct what is a season-ending financial boon to the players.
Here's another idea: reduce the playoffs from four events to three.
With the end to its second contract with Federal Express coming at the end of the 2017 season, now is the time for the PGA Tour to make a change that would enhance the competition and allow for more scheduling flexibility.
In this case, less is more, and it can be accomplished because of Deutsche Bank's exit as a title sponsor of the just-completed event won by Rory McIlroy at TPC Boston on Monday. The tour announced last week at EMC Corporation would take over as the title in 2017, but did not say the length of the sponsorship.
When asked, PGA Tour vice president Ty Votaw said "we have not commented on the duration of the EMC agreement other than it is certainly good through 2017."
That suggests the deal is for just one year with hopes of extending it. That is what the tour does; it attempts to extract maximum sponsorship dollars and offer playing opportunities, especially lucrative ones, to its members. If so, then having just three playoff events is not in the plans, although Votaw did say that "we have been extremely pleased with how a four-event FedEx Cup playoff has performed over the past 10 years, but like we have done every year since its inception we will continue to examine all aspects of the structure after this year's playoffs are completed.''
The tour is in the midst of negotiating to extend its agreement with FedEx beyond next year, one that has paid $35 million in bonus money to the players -- including $10 million to the winner -- dating to 2007.
2. Why it would be better
Having three playoff events -- presumably the Barclays, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship -- would create more urgency and drama. Four events -- especially in years when there is no off week -- often seems too long. While the players are never going to turn their backs on $8.5-million purses, many of those same players often complain about running out of energy at this time of year.
A three-tournament playoff would give the tour the opportunity to create some space between the PGA Championship and the start of the playoffs. If it went to just 100 players qualifying for the first event, those last regular events on the PGA Tour scheduling would have even more meaning. And perhaps this forces players to compete earlier in the season to accrue points.
As it is now, there are typically a handful of players who sit out at least one of the tournaments. Sergio Garcia was among the no-shows at the Barclays and has skipped at least one playoff event several times. Henrik Stenson is taking off the BMW this week to rest his knee. With just three tournaments, perfect attendance is more likely. Perhaps the points structure could be tweaked again to make skipping prohibitive, with a swifter run to the overall champion.
3. What about Boston?
This is not to suggest that the Deutsche Bank Championship -- which dates to 2003 -- should be scrapped. If EMC wants to stay on as a title sponsor beyond 2017, why not make it a big-money event the week prior to the playoffs? A last chance to keep a card (top 125), make the playoffs (top 100) or enhance the overall FedEx Cup chances? In this scenario, no off week would be needed during the playoffs which means the tour could elect to move up the end to its season or play two more events -- as opposed to just one -- following the PGA Championship.
4. Bye-bye Bubba?
Could the seventh-ranked player in the world be left off the U.S. Ryder Cup team? Given his recent form, Bubba Watson's chances at an at-large selection should be anything but a given.
Since winning at Riviera and finishing second at Doral in early March, Watson has just two top-10s -- both were eighth-place finishes, one at a European Tour event in China following the Masters, the other at the Olympic Golf Tournament. Watson has not been awful -- his only missed cut came at the Deutsche Bank Championship, although that is definitely awful timing.
Another troubling factor for Watson: he is just 3-8 in his three Ryder Cup appearances and is 0-3 in singles.
5. And Furyk, too
Jim Furyk was gaining traction as a possible at-large pick for Davis Love III, even though he is 46, in possession of a poor Ryder Cup record and missed a good part of this year due to injury. But that's the point: since returning, Furyk has been solid, if not spectacular. He finished second at the U.S. Open. He had that 58 at the Travelers Championship. He's got experience, and the respect of his teammates. He's a vice captain and will someday be a Ryder Cup captain.
All of that fit into the argument for Love to pick him. He still might do so when the first three picks are announced on Monday. But by not making it to this week's BMW Championship, Furyk has severely hurt his chances. At least it would seem that way.
Part of the reason for pushing the picks back this late -- the latest they've ever been -- is to allow players more time to impress. It's tough to do that when you're not playing.
6. Bowdo the comedian
It has been a rough year for Aussie Steven Bowditch, who has two PGA Tour victories, including the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson. But this year was more or less a disaster, as Bowditch missed 14 cuts in 21 worldwide starts -- including his last five in a row. From 72nd in the world at the end of last year, Bowditch has dropped to 166th. Yet, his sense of humor has remained intact as he tries to sort out the issues.
My trainer says to me "dude you need a balanced diet" I said "does a beer in each hand count?" That cost me another 25 push ups
— Bowdo (@bowdo83) September 6, 2016
7. Where's Beef?
In Cleveland, of all places. England's Andrew "Beef'' Johnston was a surprise entrant in the first of four Web.com Tour Finals events, this week's DAP Championship at Canterbury Golf Club.
Johnston, who won his first European Tour event earlier this year and became a gallery favorite at The Open at Royal Troon, is eligible because he finished among the top 125 to 200 on the PGA Tour's FedEx points list as a non-member.
The Englishman can earn PGA Tour status out of the Web.com Tour category for the 2016-17 season if he finishes among the top 25 players (not already exempt) who compete in the four-tournament series.
Johnston, who won Garcia's event in Spain, finished eighth at The Open and is coming off a third-place finish last week in Switzerland.
The Web.com Finals begin this week and continue next week in Boise, Idaho, before heading to Columbus, Ohio. The Web.com Tour Championship is Oct. 6-9.
8. Phil's Vardon quest
Phil Mickelson has never won the Vardon Trophy, given to the player with the PGA Tour's lowest adjusted scoring average. As great as Mickelson has been, it is odd that he has never had this distinction -- just as it is that he's never won the money title or been ranked No. 1 in the world. Tiger Woods has won the Vardon Trophy nine times, most recently in 2013. Jordan Spieth took the honor last year.
Mickelson was leading the race -- until he shot rounds of 75-72 at the Deutsche Bank Championship and missed the cut. But it's still a tight race.
Mickelson dropped to third (69.384) behind Jason Day (69.260) and Dustin Johnson (69.268) with two events to go.
9. Tiger's return
Once again, Tigerwoods.com had the big scoop.
Hoping to play in Napa, Turkey, and Hero in the Bahamas. Can't wait to compete again. https://t.co/cuNUTQv0NW
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 7, 2016