August 19, 2010

Atwal's 61 Positions Him For Run At Next Year's FedEx Cup

August 19, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Is there any question that we have to root for Arjun Atwal to win this week's Wyndham Championship, not only because he's experienced his share of hard luck, but also because he's ineligible for this year's playoffs, even with a win. I might even tune in just to hear how television spins this one!

July 26, 2010

"Oh, so five more weeks until we pretend to be excited about the FedEx Cup?"

July 26, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

The SI/golf.com gang is really excited about the FedEx Cup points race and the potential for a renewal in the next TV deal.

November 03, 2009

BCS Breathes Sigh: FedEx Cup To Retain Goofy Point System

November 03, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Love this quote from Doug Ferguson's story on the PGA Tour retaining the FedEx Cup points system:

September 29, 2009

"Mention of Woods and Mickelson will no doubt prompt the PGA Tour's marketing gurus to point that the involvement of the game's two most compelling figures rendered all objections inconsequential."

September 29, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

I'm surprised at the short-sightedness of so many otherwise intelligent writers who see Phil and Tiger in a photo together and declare the FedEx Cup format a resounding success. Sure, it's grown tiresome to debate points permutations, but how about a little big picture and consideration for the long-term potential of the FedEx Cup. You know, to actually make early fall golf compelling are good reasons to keep exposing its flaws. Or, say, when Tiger and Phil aren't batting it around any longer.

September 28, 2009

"Confused NASCAR Driver Runs Over 30 Golfers During Attempt To Win FedEx Cup"

September 28, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to reader thusgone for catching this Onion story on the FedEx Cup. Just the kind of brand recognition the golf playoffs were looking for.

September 28, 2009

And When There Were Eight...

September 28, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Here's how the finale would have been had they just played an 8-man shootout over 18 holes of the Tour Championship (I'd prefer 36 the last day):

September 27, 2009

Phil Wins; Woods Solidifies FedEx Cup With Unforgettable Second Place Finish

September 27, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

...after being subjected to my relentless ranting, you know where I stand.

So what did you all think of Sunday's points permutation madness, the state of Tiger's game, Phil's resurgent putting, NBC's coverage, etc...?

September 26, 2009

Woods Eyes Two-Way Tie For Third To Clinch Cup

September 26, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

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

September 25, 2009

If The FedEx Cup Used The Old ADT Format...

September 25, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

...here would be the 2009 Tour Championship's Saturday 16 using the 2006 version where the field of 32 was cut to 16 on Saturday and 54-hole scores decided the final 8 for Sunday's $1 million shootout (no playoff would have been necessary):

Tiger Woods
Padraig Harrington
Sean O'Hair
Ernie Els
Kenny Perry
Jerry Kelly
Angel Cabrera
Jason Dufner
Nick Watney
Lucas Glover
Stewart Cink
David Toms
Phil Mickelson
Jim Furyk
John Senden
Steve Marino

And the non-qualifiers:

Heath Slocum
Scott Verplank
Luke Donald
Retief Goosen
Steve Stricker
Zach Johnson
Kevin Na
Dustin Johnson
Brian Gay
Mike Weir
Hunter Mahan
Marc Leishman
Y.E. Yang
Geoff Ogilvy

September 23, 2009

"Without the win-or-go-home scenario that defines playoff competition in team sports, the FedEx Cup will never generate widespread public interest or earn critical acclaim."

September 23, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Some prominent writers have very different takes on the FedEx Cup.

September 23, 2009

Finchem: BCS Is "Blessed"

September 23, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

I've never actually seen someone label college football's BCS "blessed" for all of the controversy it generates. (You know, the relentless bashing, the congressional hearings, the President saying it needs to go, etc...). Only Tim Finchem could like the BCS, but it tells you how doomed the FedEx Cup is when its architect envies the most reviled and integrity-challenged championship structure in all of sport.

September 22, 2009

Have You Set Your DVR's Yet?

September 22, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

After the second points reset brought Tiger back to the field for the FedEx finale, I completely lost interest in this contrived mess of a "cup chase."

September 21, 2009

God Really Must Not Care For FedEx Cup 3.0

September 21, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Atlantans have been Tweeting and emailing about the torrential rains all weekend and Anne Szeker

September 20, 2009

"Until gambling on golf becomes part of the mainstream betting action, like college and pro football, the PGA Tour will never have a real chance to make a mark in the fall."

September 20, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

The SI golf group contemplates the positive ramifications of the LPGA playing a well known tournament course in Torrey Pines (I have to agree, they should do it more often if at all possible). However, this was a more interesting debate related to the FedEx Cup finale:

September 15, 2009

You Realize...

September 15, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

...this may be the best indictment yet of the FedEx Cup, courtesy of Gary Van Sickle on Twitter:

Update on 2009-09-16 13:32 by Geoff

Not exactly an endorsement from Doug Ferguson either:

This one promises to be meaningful, but at what cost?

There is no guarantee the best player will win the FedEx Cup. Tour officials made sure of that by resetting the points after three playoff events so that all 30 players at East Lake have a mathematical chance. The top five need no help from anyone; they only have to win the Tour Championship to collect the prize.

Yet if the tour had left the system alone, there was a chance of the golf’s Super Bowl having as much interest as a preseason game.

“The whole idea of the playoffs was for us to get into the top five,” Woods said. “And now, it’s basically a sprint. It’s one tournament, a sprint, assuming one of the top five guys wins the tournament.”

The FedEx Cup pays out $10 million to the winner. The value of the trophy will depend on the name inscribed on it.