Woods Eyes Two-Way Tie For Third To Clinch Cup

Because the dreaded three-way tie will cost him the $10 million first prize.

It's the stuff kids will be mimicking on putting greens across the land: two putts and I get out of the logjam for third to win the FedEx Cup!

The possibilities are so exciting I might even watch. Just look how seriously media takes this, as Jim McCabe explains what it will take for certain players to win Sunday and includes this longshot:

CHARLES COODY
• Wins the Tour Championship, while . . .
Only kidding. Charles Coody has no chance at the FedEx Cup Championship. At least we don’t think so.

Now, if this were my call we would have played 54 holes, then cut the field to eight who would play 36 holes tomorrow for all of the FedEx Cup loot. One day, $10 million for first place.

Here would be the eight if they cut after 54 holes (no playoff would have been necessary):

Kenny Perry
Tiger Woods
Phil Mickelson
Sean O'Hair
Steve Marino
Padraig Harrington
Steve Stricker
Ernie Els

Had the Tour followed the ADT format and cut after 36 holes and then again 54, Stricker would have been out and either John Senden or Stewart Cink would be in the final eight.

Even better, you have a mix of stars and some guys who would give their left testicle for $10 million. Presumably television would want this over the mess they have now that essentially ensures Tiger Woods will play golf for four days, and not much else.

Comments

[smails]

Geoff-your way sounds like a silly season event...

and more importantly, might not include TW on the final day---cutting the field is a no-can-dooksi as tiger might miss it and the whole thing falls apart.

[Wisconsin Reader]

36 holes the final day would literally guarantee Tiger would win. . . The more holes they play the greater the chance of his prevailing. . . How about - after today's round - The top 8 finishers play closest to the hole on #18 for $5 mil?

Geoff . . . Your ideas about "cuts" would have prevented Stricker from playing the 3rd round - he shot a great score and - if he does it again today - might win it all. . .

[David Mihm]

Given that we know Tiger-playing-on-the-last-day is a sine qua non for the TOUR, how about a modified version of Geoff's "final eight" idea above where anyone who won one of the first three playoff events gets a guaranteed slot in the final eight. The chances that Tiger would go 0-for-3.5 right now are pretty damn slim.

The first three days of the Tour Championship then become essentially a play-in game, 25 guys for five slots. Might be kinda exciting.

[JJ]

I certainly respect Geoff's opinions, so I guess I should feel guilty about the fact that I am enjoying the FedEx permutations going on within the Tour Championship (which is a great event by itself). A lot of interestling golf right now. Go Kenny! (I always root for the old guy)

[RM]

So if Perry wins and Tiger finishes 4th, one of the guys who finished 2nd or 3rd could sign an incorrect scorecard and Tiger would then move up to 3rd and collect 10 million. The possibilities are infinite!

[Morg]

Instead of golf scribes/commentators scribbling/blabbing about endless scenarios and so on, I would like at least one person to explain exactly how it is that the FedEx Cup or any of the proposed alternative scenarios will be measured a success. Quite simply, what is the goal of this thing, and how does the PGA Tour know that it has accomplished it? Greater interest in golf? More viewers per Nielsen? More money for professional golfers? More sponsors? A longer, sustainable season? A new and improved Major?

[Jose TwelvePack]

JMO, but I think it's amazing that the Broncos could be 3-0 after today even though it's blazingly obvious that Josh McDaniels doesn't know his ass from his elbow. The funny thing is after the first two weeks he's probably really starting to believe that cutting the sleeves off a hoodie can in fact turn you into Bill Belichick.

[Jack]

Morg, there is no successful scenario. A nine month professional golf season cannot work given a five month football season, a nine month fútbol season and only four months from the first major to the last. All of this FedEx Cup stuff is highly optimistic at best.

I agree with you that I don't quite see the goal in it.

[www.mrpgolf.com]

Morg...

I think we are seeing a successful Fed Ex Cup unfold right before our very eyes. This is totally awesome.

Jack...

If people want to watch football or soccer or whatever, that is fine with me. Nevertheless, this golf is amazing. Tiger in the mix, Phil finally coming around, Paddy playing lights out, Perry getting it done, youngs guns coming on (Ohair, Marino?!?!?).

I am really enjoying this. REALLY enjoying it. I hope you all are as well.

[GeorgeM]

All proposals diminish the TOUR Championship.
This event used to mean something in and of itself.
First, they eliminated the the season end and then they eliminated the top 30 on the money list.

Put the TOUR Championship back at the season's end.
Move the week break up a week and start the 3rd Playoff event on Wednesday.
After 72 holes award the event prize and put the top 4 in points in a 36 hole playoff for the $10M.

[Wayne]

There was actually a scenario that could have resulted in two playoffs - one for the tournament, and one for the Cup. That would have been bizarre.