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[zakkozuchowski]

Wyndham Championship: Finals week frenzy

By Pete Pappas

GolfWRX Staff Writer

The Wyndham Championship is the final stop for the PGA Tour regular season this week. But a crowd of noteworthy competitors is still frantically scrambling to gain admission to the Tour's FedExCup Playoffs, which begin next week with The Barclays at Bethpage. So when the gates close Sunday evening at Wyndham’s Sedgefield Country Club, you better not be on the outside looking in, or it’s “wait until next year.”

Reigning Wyndham champion and 2012 U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson is in Greensboro, NC to defend his title, and will be grouped with Carl Pettersson (who’s controversial two-stroke penalty derailed the Swede’s efforts to chase down PGA Champion Rory McIlroy last week at Kiawah), and Davis Love III (this year’s U.S. Ryder Cup captain; and currently ranked 119^th in the FedExCup standings).

Last year at Wyndham, Simpson broke out with his first career Tour title, winning by three-strokes thanks to steady weekend play (including a bogey-free final round).
“I really couldn’t think of a better place to win than here in Greensboro,” Simpson said afterwards of his “home-state” maiden victory.

Simpson went on to win the Deutche Bank Championship (the second FedExCup PLAYOFFS event), but fell short in the Tour Championship two weeks later.  Simpson would however finish second overall in the final standings behind eventual 2011 FedExCup champion Bill Haas (whose brilliant 17^th hole greenside save with his ball submerged in a water hazard was one of the most unforgettable moments in PGA Tour Playoff history).

Among the swarm of flag hunters vying for Sedgefield supremacy this week -- seven past Wyndham winners, eight tournament winners this season, and 12 major winners are all looking to keep their seasons alive.

Simpson currently ranks 13^th in the FedExCup standings by virtue of his U.S. Open victory and six top-10 finishes, and comes in as the field’s highest ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings (No. 5).

The only other player at Greensboro inside the World top-10 is Jason Dufner (No. 9), and he’s excited to be here.

“Sedgefield is a terrific layout, and I think the course will be even better with new Bermuda greens,” Dufner said.  “It’s going to be a great week.

Dufner is one of just five players on Tour with multiple wins this season, and looked very impressive picking up titles earlier this season at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and HP Byron Nelson Championship.  He currently ranks third in the FedExCup standings.

Meanwhile, former Wyndham champion Brandt Snedeker currently ranks 23^rd in the FedExCup standings on the strength of his win at the Farmers Insurance Open and T-3 finish at the British Open.  Wyndham was Snedeker’s first victory on Tour in 2007, helping him earn “Rookie of the Year” honors.

The top 125 players in the FedExCup standings will move on to Bethpage, and high-profile names conspicuously on the wrong side of 125 entering play this week in Greensboro include Y.E. Yang (129), Gary Woodland (130), John Daly (137), and Camilo Villegas (146).

It still seems like just yesterday that an excited Yang celebrated winning the 91^st PGA Championship by spontaneously military pressing his tour bag.  The South Korean erased a two-shot final round deficit for his first and only major, and handed Tiger Woods his first blown 54-hole major lead in the process.

Although Woodland has yet to taste major victory (or even finish inside the top-10 at a major for that matter), his 2011 Transitions Championship victory by one-stroke over Simpson put him on the Tour map.  This season, however, Woodland has struggled. In 18 starts he’s yet to finish higher than 24^th, and has missed four cuts (with two coming consecutively, including one at the U.S. Open).

Two-time major champion Daly remains one of the most polarizing figures in golf, and “The Lion” comes in to Sedgefield with a “mini-roar” four top-20 finishes in his last seven starts.  In the last two weeks alone he’s moved up 26 spots in the FedExCup standings.  But Daly has never finished inside the top-40 at Wyndham, and he’ll have to do that if he plans to be around for the Barclays.

And Villegas rose to rock-star status almost overnight with his first two Tour victories coming in back-to-back 2008 FedExCup events (the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship).  “Hombre Arana” has 10 career top-10s in the PLAYOFFS, however a poor season thus far (with a T-18 best finish) has left Villegas fighting just to keep his card (a testament to how deep the well of talent runs on Tour - and how quickly fortune can turn).

Following the coronation of an Irish King in America at the PGA Championship last week is a tough act for Wyndham to follow. But Greensboro is the final frenzied push for a chance at the most lucrative payout on Tour.  And that means for anyone not named Rory; it’s time to go for broke.

You can follow Pete on twitter @TheGreekGrind and GolfWRX @GolfWRX

[Jim Clark]

Very important tournament for a bunch of guys. If you don't get into the top 125 in FedEx points your season is effectively over until the fall series. AND, if you're not in the top 125 in FedEx points, you're probably not in the top 125 in earnings and risk losing your Tour card (unless otherwise exempt), that adds even more pressure for some guys.

Again, for a bunch of guys, this is a very important tournament.

Edited by Jim Clark, 17 August 2012 - 07:18 AM.

[deasy55]

Paul Casey shot 68. Is the world coming to an end?

[Yuck]

Carl Pettersen is still playing like he's just been penalized.

[pga43]

The new greens are pure & lightening fast.  Watched a number of players putt balls off the greens during the Pro-Am cuz they didn't realize just how fast they were.  The new grass with the original design (slopes)of the greens will make for some interesting putting.

Keeping the ball below the hole will be key!


Greg

[deasy55]

Sergio obviously didn't like getting knocked out of the Ryder cup positions

[imakaveli]

deasy55, on 17 August 2012 - 11:53 AM, said:

Sergio obviously didn't like getting knocked out of the Ryder cup positions

What a round!

[Anchor44]

As I write this, Jimmy Walker is leading the tournament.
He has had several decent rounds this year and has made millions just by making enough cuts but has NEVER won.
He's from my local area and I'd like to see him win just because of that, however,
I suspect his chances of winning this one are about the same as Joe Biden's chances of saying something astute within the next year, or ten.

[deasy55]

Tim Herron 76-61 is a bit of a turnaround.

[SurfinTurf]

yuck, on 17 August 2012 - 10:04 AM, said:

Carl Pettersen is still playing like he's just been penalized.

He plays with such ANGER!

Probably enjoying a cheeseburger with Tim Herron right about now.

[PGArox]

I love this course, although it really could use about 400 extra yards.  Playing nicely this week.

There is something about simple, under-hyped tournament golf, especially over a fine course, that I find very enjoyable.  Kind of feels like a throw-back, I suppose, to simpler times.

Anyway, I'm really pulling for Harris English to at least keep himself in the top ten.  This kid is big and strong, and he has a pretty well-rounded game.  He's learning to manage things.

Pretty nice leaderboard, too.  Should be a fun weekend.

[PGArox]

The "irrelevant" Justin Leonard has surged into the top ten, just three strokes off the pace.  I wonder if Justin reads these boards.

[Steve Ryan]

Sergio is STILL regripping his club over and over again.

What a mental basket case he is.

[PuttLeftHitRight]

Cantlay picks up another eagle today

[silliwilli]

Steve Ryan, on 18 August 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

Sergio is STILL regripping his club over and over again.

What a mental basket case he is.

Haven't noticed this at all. Sergio seems pretty calm today, got some bad breaks but hasn't lost his head. Hope to see him in the final group tomorrow. What does he need to do to surpass Poulter on the Ryder Cup team?

[PuttLeftHitRight]

It really is a shame to have to watch a clown like Sergio that is so very talented.

[SurfinTurf]

This tournament thread is on FIRE.


Fun to watch Sergio hit shots.

Edited by SurfinTurf, 18 August 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[360_CS]

YEA GARCIA

Anyone see the stat when he was on 14? 42/42 putts inside 8ft.

Edited by 360_CS, 18 August 2012 - 05:34 PM.

[SurfinTurf]

360_CS, on 18 August 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

YEA GARCIA

Anyone see the stat when he was on 14? 42/42 putts inside 8ft.

Was that the short putt he missed?

[360_CS]

Yea and they said he was 92% for scrambling too. How many times do the commentators have to do that until they learn.

[PGArox]

This tournament has turned out to be quite entertaining, with several interesting storylines for Sunday.

Three 20-somethings will be gunning for their first TOUR victory; Bud Cauley, Harris English and Matt Every.  Cauley in the final pairing on Sunday for the first time.

And what a pairing Cauley gets, with Sergio Garcia, who hasn't won on TOUR since the 2008 PLAYERS.  Should be some jangling nerves in that twoball.

The penultimate pairing will be South African Tim Clark and Jason Dufner.  A victory would take Jason to #1 on the TOUR's money list, and tie him with Tiger Woods as the only three-time winners this year.

48 year old Davis Love III has a shot at his 21st career TOUR victory, which would put him tied 29th on the all-time list.  And "Mr. Irrelevant," Justin Leonard, will start the final round four strokes off the lead.  He'll need to go low.

[Frankie Lob Wedge]

Sergio is playing well - good for him.  Kudos to Cauley and Clark as well.  Honey Badger Duffner is right there too.  Honey Badger does not give a sh*t - he takes what he wants.

[tbowles411]

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 18 August 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

Sergio is playing well - good for him.  Kudos to Cauley and Clark as well.  Honey Badger Duffner is right there too.  Honey Badger does not give a sh*t - he takes what he wants.

LOL!  Rooting for Sergio tomorrow.  He needs it, but it would be good for Cauley to punch his ticket for 2 years as well.

[Steve Ryan]

silliwilli, on 18 August 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

Steve Ryan, on 18 August 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

Sergio is STILL regripping his club over and over again.

What a mental basket case he is.

Haven't noticed this at all. Sergio seems pretty calm today, got some bad breaks but hasn't lost his head. Hope to see him in the final group tomorrow. What does he need to do to surpass Poulter on the Ryder Cup team?

Driver on the very first hole. About 5 or 6 regrips.

[PGArox]

Sergio seems to be playing a new mental game by declaring that "golf isn't the most important thing in my life." I guess you have to come up with something when you believe the golf gods are against you.

It will be very interesting watching Sergio tomorrow.  We'll see how important golf really is to him.

[Frankie Lob Wedge]

PGArox, on 18 August 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

Sergio seems to be playing a new mental game by declaring that "golf isn't the most important thing in my life." I guess you have to come up with something when you believe the golf gods are against you.

It will be very interesting watching Sergio tomorrow.  We'll see how important golf really is to him.

It wasn't that long ago that Sergio went away for a while and it looked like he might even quit golf.  He came back and seems happier plus more relaxed.

[Steve Ryan]

I hope Jason Dufner packs his lip full of Copenhagen and blasts past everyone tomorrow.

[SurfinTurf]

Steve Ryan, on 18 August 2012 - 11:31 PM, said:

I hope Jason Dufner packs his lip full of Copenhagen and blasts past everyone tomorrow.

ME TOO!!



Actually a Sergio / Dufner playoff would be beautiful.

[bunter101]

PuttLeftHitRight, on 18 August 2012 - 02:33 PM, said:

Cantlay picks up another eagle today

4 more and he'll be tied for the lead with one of those sweet stealing dastardly euros

[hogans71]

Steve Ryan, on 18 August 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

silliwilli, on 18 August 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

Steve Ryan, on 18 August 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

Sergio is STILL regripping his club over and over again.

What a mental basket case he is.

Haven't noticed this at all. Sergio seems pretty calm today, got some bad breaks but hasn't lost his head. Hope to see him in the final group tomorrow. What does he need to do to surpass Poulter on the Ryder Cup team?

Driver on the very first hole. About 5 or 6 regrips.

THAT'S a lot?