The 2019 FEDEX Cup Playoffs will see a new champion as last season’s winner, Biggest Johnson, narrowly missed qualifying by a single point. A missed 3 footer or a chunked chip shot is sometimes all it takes. His reign marked the lowest seed (#12) ever to qualify and win the FEDEX Cup, a feat we may never see repeated. This season also saw the most golfers (18) with 100+ FEDEX Cup points, highlighting just how even things are and how difficult it is just to qualify for the playoffs. Great job guys!
So what are we left with IN 2019? Let’s get to the individual breakdown shall we?
#1 THE PHOG- Nobody has scaled the mountain of golf frustration quite like The Phog. Last season he broke through and qualified for the playoffs for the first time but failed to get through to the semis with a disappointing round of +5. However, 2019 has seen him win 3 tournaments, including his second major, while racking up 171.5 points to give him the #1 seed. Two rounds in the 70’s last week, including his personal best 76 means he comes into this season’s playoffs with more confidence then Burt Reynolds at a Loni Anderson convention. He has the ability to go very low, just like Burt used to do with Loni, and that is scary to any competition. Last season’s early flame out should also serve as motivation heading into The Barclays. Nobody can predict how he will play week to week as the only time he has finished in the Top 3 is when he has won. When he doesn’t win, it’s usually been a blow up day. He will also be playing with the lowest handicap in his KWGA career (12) so the task will be the toughest of his career. How well he deals with the hot lamp lights squarely shone on his broad, sexy shoulders is the only thing standing between him and the next round.
Advancement Odds (2-1)
#2 MR. OCTOBER- 2019 will mark the fifth straight season that Fish will have made the playoffs. It’s a mark of consistency rivaled only by Grampy and The Commissioner (6). The streak was in jeopardy as he fell out of the Top 8 with just three events left in the season. That’s when he put the hammer down, accruing 59 points in his last three events to vault all the way to the second seed. However, the playoffs have not been kind to the happy home builder as he has yet to advance to the semis in five tries. Call it nerves, bad luck, bad karma or just separation anxiety from Nick, the bottom line is that it is just a matter of time. His 16 handicap gives him plenty of wiggle room to carve out an under par round so avoiding big numbers and dropping the odd putt is all that it will take on Saturday. Rumour has it that Fish has asked for special exemption to have his fury friends allowed off and inside the ropes this Saturday in hopes of elevating his play when it counts the most. If nothing else, it should get them some exercise.
Advancement Odds (7-1)
#3 THE 4th REICH- The ultimate bulldog and KWGA journeyman has qualified for his second straight FEDEX Cup playoffs after years of leaving the league for Deutschland at the most inopportune time. A foot injury also had this man’s season in doubt before it even began, so he has overcome adversity to get to this point. His 2019 season did not include a win but his -3 score in last season’s Barclays meant advancement to the semis against all odds. Another -3 round will be difficult this Saturday as he will drag a small 6 handicap into the event which doesn’t give the German Stierhund much padding to advance. If the winds blow and conditions are difficult, send him through to the second round. If the wind lays down, the task gets even harder. We know one things, he won’t go down without a fight…or hopefully some cursing in German. Möge die Macht mit dir sein … du wirst es brauchen.
Advancement Odds (3-1)
#4 BIP- The days of this man needing to pick up his ball in the middle of a hole to keep the pace are long gone. Just like in the Trainor home, an environment of structure and higher expectations has meant an upward growth pattern on Tour that can only make one feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. This will be BIP’s first playoff appearance so nobody can know what to expect but he enters the playoffs with some low rounds lately, including a three birdie performance Monday witnessed by yours truly. The confidence is there after a season that also included three wins on Tour. If he can get off to a solid start he will no doubt have any lower handicap opponent pressing to make birdies just to have a chance at keeping pace. If he makes a birdie or two on his own, lock the door, hide the women and children, because the Big Bad Boogeyman will wreak havoc with his special sauce…golf style.
Advancement Odds (1-1)
#5 GRAMPY LAHEY- Grampy is one of only two Tour members to qualify for every FEDEX Cup playoffs. His 2019 season includes a win at the KWGA Club Championship and several weeks atop the FEDEX Cup leaderboard. He has won one FEDEX Cup title (2015) and gone through to the semis on three other occasions. However, some late season struggles to end the season and the departure of his second love to some dust bowl across the globe have some doubting the Windsor Spitfire heading into Saturday’s Barclays. Those two forces along with a 5 handicap will mean back to shooting 70-73 will be needed to advance. There won’t be a dry eye in the gallery if this man manages to win his second FEDEX Cup but getting through the first round may be his toughest task. Men from his era were born with steel testicles and granite jaws, when men were men, and transgender meant sneaking into the girl’s locker room after gym class. Expect his best effort this Saturday…because his buddy would want it no other way.
Advancement Odds (3-1)
#6 INSPECTOR GADGET- This man’s season includes two wins and many weeks atop the FEDEX Cup leaderboard but he has also fallen on a late season malaise that will have some doubting him at The Barclays. 2019 will also mark his fourth straight appearance in the playoffs that includes a semi-final appearance in 2016. We know his ball flight, family and appearance well, however, what we don’t know is what Gadget will arrive on Saturday. His 17 handicap will scare all of his opponents to death, like raising two daughters, and all stars seemed aligned for a deep playoff run. Rumour has it that a daughter or two may caddy for him this weekend in hopes of pinch-hitting if injury should befall Gadget mid-round. Also motivating him will no doubt be proving to his older brethren, Mr. October and Waszczuk-Carey, that he needs to be respected and not treated like the younger brother anymore. The days of having his arms pinned and slapped around are over. This could be the year.
Advancement Odds- (4-1)
#7 THE SHERIFF- The 2019 playoffs will mark the first appearance for the heavy handed, brash and obnoxious former cop. His season included a win at the Herbin Experience and 151.0 points that marked a very solid performance for a man known for an attention span that rivals that of a fruit fly. His laisez-faire attitude will serve him well Saturday and make him dangerous because nobody seems to care less about his score than The Sheriff. However, his 14 handicap will mean less room for error then he is used to on a given Saturday. How well he deals with this and his penchant for rattling off dock worthy humour makes him the ultimate X-Factor. There was much chatter that he didn’t show at Gerry’s pool party because he didn’t want to be seen in a bathing suit. That’s a good thing, because if he manages to win the FEDEX Cup we may end up seeing him in a birthday suit.
Advancement Odds (8-1)
#8 THE COMMISSIONER- He has heard all of the rumours, that his game has left him, that his hair is thinning, that his weight loss has meant a loss of distance and accuracy, that playing with him is starting to feel a lot like watching a Hellen Keller film…quiet. The rumours would be true. What The Commissioner does have going for him is a boatload of playoff experience that includes a title (2017), four semi-final appearances and a season that captured his first major championship. His 10 handicap has stayed steady all season and will give him some space to do some damage. A birdie or two early would go a long way for the embattled Commissioner who just needs some mental TLC and a trip to Tootsies Cabaret in Miami to change his mind set and raise his spirits. However, this is his time of year, when it counts, when legends are made. Is everyone ready? Let’s get this thing going!
Advancement Odds (6-1)
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