The FedEx Cup Playoffs kick off this week in New Jersey for The Barclays and Tiger Woods just barely eeked himself in, which is odd to even think. However, there are 124 other guys teeing it up this week in the chase for the Cup. I made a post yesterday about the FedEx Cup and got some feedback that people don’t like it and that the “playoffs” are a joke compared to other sports. This is true, however I still like the idea of them. It certainly gives us something to look forward to at the end of the season where before most of the marquee names took the rest of the year off after the PGA Championship.
Palopoli vs. Emerson (steel cage match)
Jeff Palopoli
Current Points: 5070
Last Week: 138 points
Current Percentile: 98th
Early in the weekend last week I was feeling pretty good about my picks. Lucas Glover looked well positioned and on Sunday had it in his hands before a back 9 choke job. Brandt Snedeker couldn’t make a putt on the back 9, and my “reach” with James Driscoll produced some great results. I’m currently 3rd (full season rank) in both of my leagues, and with a few more good weeks I could be well positioned to take home some hardware!
This week I’m riding the hot hands of the boys from the PGA Championship. Bubba Watson is playing the best golf of his career and he seriously got a jolt from his PGA Championship finish, along with making the Ryder Cup. I’m going to roll with Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy as well, figuring that Johnson is looking for some redemption.
Also playing some great golf right now and trying to make a point to Captain Pavin is Lucas Glover, who with another solid finish this week makes a great case for a Captain’s pick. I’ll leave him on the bench for now, but he’ll be great to have in reserve. Brandt Snedeker is another hot hand right now and played 4 great rounds last week and had the tournament in his hands if he could have made a putt or 2 on the back 9. I also like John Rollins as a backup, he had a huge week last week at the Wyndham.
My Thursday starting squad includes: Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Brandt Snedeker
Riding the pine at least until Friday is: Ernie Els, Lucas Glover, Retief Goosen, John Rollins
Patrick Emerson
Current points: 4805
Points last week: 114
Current percentile: 89th
The Fed Ex playoffs start this weekend with the Barclays. The picking should be easier this week with a more interesting field. There are plenty of questions. How will Tiger do in his first post-divorce tournament? How is Phil coping with his health issues? Will Dustin Johnson shake off bunkergate?
This week’s A list is full of good choices. I’m not taking a chance on Tiger or Phil, too many issues. Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson are good choices, but I’ll go with Steve Stricker for the start. He’s done well in the playoffs before and I could see him winning it all. Ernie Els will ride the bench.
The B list has a lot of talent. I was very tempted by Furyk, Overton and O’Hair, but I will save them for a later tournament. I’m going to bet on Dustin Johnson will rebound and play well and he gets the start. Bo Van Pelt has been too hot not to start. The bench will include two players who did well at the PGA, Nick Watney and Rory McIlroy.
It is tougher to pick the C list. Matt Kuchar is the best player on the list, but I have used up all of his starts, so he can’t play for me anymore. I’ll start Paul Casey who has shown some flashes of brilliant play this season. Brandt Snedeker gets the bench thanks to some recent high finishes.
Starting foursome: Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Bo Van Pelt, Paul Casey
Bench players: Ernie Els, Nick Watney, Rory McIlroy, Brandt Snedeker
