Well as much as I hate to admit it, Tim Finchem and those in charge of setting up the now infamous FedEx Cup managed to get a darn good showing for the inaugural year. I have to admit that I was skeptical at the beginning of the 2007 season. First off, I didn't quite grasp exactly how the points system was going to work, especially when the playoffs came around, but once things started to get interesting a with a couple of months remaining, I finally had to concede that the FedEx system was doing exactly what it was designed to do, get the best players, to play the best golf, against each other, week in and week out. We got to see Tiger and Phil go head to head on more than one occasion. Young players like Zach Johnson and Chucky Howell III gave us a preview of the young talent that will still be trying to beat Tiger in 10 years. And in the end, Tiger wins, like we didn't see that coming. It would have been nice if Phil could have given Mr. Woods a better run in the Tour Championship, but all in all we got to see some of the best golf in many years. I for one am looking forward to seeing how the FedEx Cup plays out next year...oh yeah, Tiger wins again, I forgot.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Tiger Woods Wins BMW Invitational with a final round 63
Tiger Woods took over the FedEx Cup points lead with a 2 shot lead at the BMW Invitational and a final round 63 Sunday. With Aaron Baddeley and Steve Stricker right on his heels, Tiger was able to pull away on the back 9 and open up a 2 shot lead going into the final hole of the Championship, leaving Aaron Baddeley needing to hole out his approach shot on the 18th to tie. Baddeley came up short and only managed par, giving woods the win. Tiger will be #1 in the points race going into the final round at Eastlake next weekend, and the final round of the FedEx Cup Championship. Steve Stricker will be 2nd in points, with Phil Mickelson sitting in 3rd. With the way the points stand, if Mickelson finishes first at Eastlake and Tiger can pull off second, Tiger will still win the FedEx Cup over Phil Mickelson by 20 points. Next week is going to be as exciting as any major we've seen this year.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Phil Mickelson withdraws from the BMW Championship
After winning the Deutsche Bank Championship and taking the lead in the FedEx Cup points standings, Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from this week’s BMW Championship.
“This decision was not an easy one to make,” said Mickelson, “and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the Tour or “sending a message” to anyone. I’ve talked for weeks about needing to find a balance between my game, my business affairs and my family and now is the time for me to take some time off.”
Mickelson has played four events in the last 30 days and has steadily improved his performance on his way back from a debilitating mid-season wrist injury. Just prior to the Deutsche Bank win he shared seventh place at The Barclays. Only the next four players on the FedEx Cup points list – Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi and Rory Sabbatini – can possibly overtake Mickelson this week.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the Tour Championship next week in Atlanta with the momentum I’ve been building and, hopefully, winning the first FedEx Cup,” said Mickelson.
(from: http://www.philmickelson.com/news/view_article.php?s=131)
Phil's decision not to play this week will not be the end of golf as we know it. More than likely he will not retain his points lead after this week, but he will still be in a strong position going into the championship rounds. Expect another good showing from Tiger this week in Phil's absence. Maybe we'll get to find out the background behind Phil's decision not to play Cog Hill.
