Weekly Approach Shot – Fantasy Golf – PGA Playoffs begins at the Barclays

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Can Kutchar repeat at the Barclays?

Welcome to the playoffs. That is correct, this is still the fantasy golf post, yet here we are talking playoffs. The tournament for the FedEx Cup begins this weekend with the top 125 points leaders from the regular season. While the points from the regular season do carry over into the playoffs, the winner this weekend will earn 2500 points, which is nearly 600 more points then current points leader Nick Watney. With a big payday for the winner, and a shot at winning the FedEx Cup and the $10,000,000 prize on the line, this weekend should be filled with excitement.

Tournament: The Barclays

Date: August 25th to the 28th

Location: Plainfield Country Club, Edison, New Jersey

Defending Champion: Matt Kuchar (-12)

About the course: This tournament was played at the Westchester Country Club for 40 years starting in 1967, which works out to 41 tournaments. During that time there were several amazing tournaments with wild finishes. This year, the event will be held at the Plainfield Country Club, marking the first time ever that a PGA tour event has been held at Plainfield. So, instead of years of history to draw on, this course provides none. Plainfield is a short course, running only 6964 yards for a par 71. That includes four par-4s fewer than 400 yards, including the 18^th that runs only 285 yards. Long hitters will be able to shoot for the green off the tee on the 18^th, meaning an eagle is by no means out of the question. Depending on how Sunday shapes up, there should be plenty of drama on the 18^th.

Golfers to watch: The Barclays defending champion Matt Kuchar is 12^th in the FedEx Cup points standings, highest of any player without a victory. Could this finally be the week he breaks through? Luke Donald has two top-10 finishes coming into this event, and his strength has always been his short game, which should overcome his shortcomings off the tee on this course. Vijay Singh looked good while finishing 4^th last weekend, and while the course is new, he has won this event a record four times. Webb Simpson bounced back well after missing the cut at the PGA by winning the Wyndham. That victory moved him into 3^rd in the FedEx Cup standings, with a legitimate shot to win it all. Steve Stricker hasn’t finished outside the top 20 since February, and with a lot on the line, the idea of him suddenly falling apart seems unlikely. Adam Scott has looked good recently, with top 10 finishes in each of his last two tournaments. With such a talented caddy carrying his clubs, victory seems all but assured, right? Finally, if you’re looking for a fantasy golf sleeper, consider Robert Karlsson. With Saturday and Sunday rounds of 67, he seems primed for a good week.