1. Cup changes ahead
Staggered starting scores at the Tour Championship?!
Per an AP Report…”The PGA Tour is putting the final touches on a revamped FedEx Cup structure that would award a cash bonus to the leading player from the regular season, followed by a new scoring format for the Tour Championship to decide the FedEx Cup champion, The Associated Press has learned.”
- “Five people aware of the discussions say FedEx Cup points will not be involved in the final playoff event at East Lake. Instead, the No. 1 player would start the Tour Championship at 10-under par, with scores to par staggered depending on the 30 players’ position in the standings.”
- “The winner will be the FedEx Cup champion, and the bonus is expected to be more than the current $10 million prize…That means whoever gets the 30th spot at East Lake would have four rounds to make up as many as 10 shots. The change eliminates the awkward moment – and divided attention – of one player winning the Tour Championship and another winning the FedEx Cup, which happened last year for the second time.”
2. Appreciate the art of the scientist
Golf Digest’s Joel Beall penned a quality piece on enjoying the single-length maestro, Bryson DeChambeau.
- A few morsels…:DeChambeau’s third PGA Tour victory in 13 months-more tournaments than Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler have won combined in that span-and a win that ostensibly locks up a Ryder Cup spot. Only Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas have more top-10 finishes this season than DeChambeau’s eight, and the 24-year-old ranks fifth in strokes gained and 14th in scoring.”
- “But with Bryson DeChambeau, it’s never been about the game. It’s about about how that game is conceptualized, executed, questioned, achieved. While those prisms should create a greater appreciation for the end product, it’s done the opposite.”
- “By now you know DeChambeau is a different duck. The Hogan cap, naming his clubs, writing his name backwards with his opposite hand, dabbling in stippling-not the usual repertoire of an aspiring tour pro. By themselves, they’re each fun tidbits and ideal content for a player’s media guide profile. Yet it’s Bryson’s drive that really separates him. And we do mean drive. While many golfers strive for perfection, DeChambeau’s pursuit takes him down some peculiar avenues. One-length clubs, a slave to statistical analysis, battles with the USGA, a tryst with side-saddling putting. Coupled with the aforementioned oddities, he stands out in the tour’s cookie-cutter crowd.”
- “Amusingly, one of the reasons fans have struggled to connect with Brooks Koepka is that Brooks, admittedly, is not really into golf. DeChambeau resides on the other end of that spectrum, devouring tomes like The Golfing Machine and Vector Putting as a kid. There’s an unbridled enthusiasm when he talks about the game and finds joy in the work. Hell, he even flew himself to the 2016 Ryder Cup because he wanted to take it in as a spectator.”
Full piece.
3. Who doesn’t love a good power ranking?
While I usually steer clear of all things fantasy and DFS, I’m tossing in best-in-the-biz Rob Bolton’ top 5 for the upcoming Dell Technologies Championship.
5. Tony Finau…Fulfilling one projection after another all season, if not exceeding even elevated expectations. Solo second at Ridgewood; led field in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Fourth start at TPC Boston.
4. Jason Day...He’s a workhorse from every perspective. Perfect at TPC Boston since 2008 with three top 10s among eight top 25s. Five straight top 20s upon arrival. Tops on TOUR in strokes gained: putting.
3. Dustin Johnson...Can’t complain much about a T11 at Ridgewood except maybe for a third-round 7…Saved erratic iron play with strong putting. Perfect in eight trips to TPC Boston with four top 20s.
2. Brooks Koepka...Coming off a T8 at THE NORTHERN TRUST where he co-led at the midpoint and led the field in distance of all drives, strokes gained: off-the-tee and par-5 scoring. T18 at TPC Boston in 2017.
1. Justin Thomas…Seeking to become the first back-to-back champ in tournament history. Since winning at Firestone, he’s added a T6 (PGA) and T8 (NORTHERN TRUST) to regain consistency that he’s sought.
4. Lessons from Cam Smith’s prep
Nick Randall, who has trained Cam Smith since Smith was 16, penned an interesting piece for GolfWRX on Smith’s physical preparations–and the application for your golfing life.
“Cam Smith, who just finished T3 at The Northern Trust, has made a lot of progress from when we first started working together. Not only is he now top 50 in the world, he has progressed from a scrawny teen into a well rounded golf athlete. At age 16 he was weak, tight, had some alarming postural adaptations from golf and was in pain and discomfort in a number of areas.”
- “I would like to share with you what I consider to be the 5 areas that the competitive club golfer can learn from Cam’s approach to physical preparation. If implemented properly these will not help your golf but benefit your long-term musculo-skeletal health too.”
- “Cam’s approach is particularly relatable and applicable to the club golfer because he isn’t the biggest guy, or the most gifted athlete, or the hardest worker. Cam likes to keep things simple and use practice and training approaches that can be completed in a short amount of time with the minimum of fuss (leaving more time for messing around on the range apparently!)”
- STICK TO THE PLAN…Cam doesn’t wander from the prescribed plan; this is for three main reasons. Firstly he wants to avoid the excessive post exercise soreness that prohibits him from practicing and performing effectively. Sticking to familiar exercises and loads helps ensure this. Secondly, performing the same exercises allows him time to get familiar and comfortable with the technique, ensuring absolute best form and resultant outcome. Lastly, golf is a tough mental sport especially at the very elite level. Being able to go into the gym and carry out a familiar routine means that there is no excess mental energy being used up unnecessarily.”
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