Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Fed Ex Finale

The much ballyhooed FedEx Cup final tees off Thursday at East Lake C.C. in Atlanta with a couple interesting story lines. First, a hot summer apparently fried some of the greens which may be in questionable condition for the tournament. But it’s hard to sympathize with pros competing for a $7 million purse complaining about the greens.

Despite the Tour’s best efforts to hype the inaugural FedEx Cup, the reality is that only five players -- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Rory Sabbatini and K.J. Choi – have a chance to win the overall title. Woods, the number one player in the world, and Stricker, who has bounced back from near oblivion, control their own destiny. If either Woods or Stricker win, they take the cup. Mickelson can win the tournament but lose the cup if Woods finishes alone in second place. While Choi and Sabbatini are mathematically eligible to win the cup, they need a lot of help such as Woods finishing 14th or 22nd respectively. In other words, don’t look for them in the winner’s circle.

Mr. Fairway is cheering for Stricker, his fellow Badger, to take top honors.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Bobby Nichols.