Playoff Fever! Well, At Least We Have Ridgewood's 5th

In other sports playoff combatants hunker down to prepare. But in golf the pressure is so much more profound that players maximize their preparation by doing as many promotional appearances as possible, re-enacting murder mysteries (for charity!), dump water on their heads, or just fulfill any other number of sponsor obligations. All to get their mind off of the bone-crushing intensity that comes with a looming points reset.

But this year could be the best yet for PGA Tour Playoff architecture, with Cherry Hills in a few weeks, the always entertaining TPC Boston next week, and a freshened Ridgewood Country Club hosting this week's Barclays. No hole is more intriguing that the driveable 5th and its 2000 square foot green. (The Center nine's 6th hole.)

Golf Central's Tripp Isenhour previewed the composite course's 5th and its risk-reward issues and the segment includes some fun stats about driving the green. Golf Channel's Thursday-Friday coverage window goes from 2-6 pm ET.