2014 PGA Tour Championship: Fantasy Picks And Power Rankings

Apr 9, 2014; Augusta, GA, USA; Arnold Palmer greets patrons in the gallery along the 9th hole during the Par 3 Contest before the 2014 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to believe that we have our first “wrap-around” FedEx Cup season in the books, and the only thing left to do, is play the 2014 Tour Championship at the East Lake Country Club, and crown a new champion. Even though the top five in points will be separated after the points reset, only the top five players can win the Cup, by winning the tournament. This year could very well be one of those times when someone in the pack will win the tournament, and someone else wins the FedEx Cup Championship.

We have had moments of brilliance during the playoffs with Hunter Mahan, Chris Kirk, and Billy Horschel getting hot at the right time of the year, and putting their names at the top of the standings, but can they maintain this level of play for one more week?

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is without a doubt, the best player in this field, and since his European Tour win at Wentworth, has been the best player on the planet. Rory is quickly becoming Tigeresque, and has that extra gear that no one else has. We saw this gear at Valhalla when he stood in the 10th fairway, trailing the leaders by three strokes, hit the 280 yard five-wood to eight feet, and buried the eagle putt. He has been almost lack-luster in the playoffs so far, but he says he wants to win the FedEx Cup, so I expect to see him put it in that extra gear, and put his foot on the gas in Atlanta. East Lake is among the easiest par 70 courses on the tour, and the easiest of the playoff Rota. If he gets an early lead, and keeps his head in the game, go ahead and give him the trophy, and all of the money. The question is, will he come to play, and win?

Jordan Spieth

The now, 21 year-old Jordan Spieth had his best finish in quite some time at Cherry Hills last week, and lest we forget, he finished as a co-runner up here last year in his first appearance at East Lake. His close call at Augusta earlier in the year seemed to cool the youngster, and he has fallen on some harder times. I think this is the week that he gets that erratic putter working, and if he can avoid the disasters, may well be one of those who can win the tournament, but not the FedEx Cup.

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler has been close to greatness all season, and East Lake would be a nice place for him to break out of the pack. With the T4 at Cherry Hills last week giving him seven top ten finishes in his last eight starts, all he needs to do now is lift a trophy. Rickie doesn’t have that special gear that Rory has, but he’s close. With only one win on the PGA Tour, the Tour Championship would be a great start to a breakout 2015 golf season.

Billy Horschel

Most players would have folded the tent after the disappointment at TPC Boston on Labor Day Monday. A badly struck six-iron that found the hazard, but the youngster from Grant Florida proved to the world that he didn’t choke, by winning on Sunday at Cherry Hills. He didn’t play particularly well on Sunday, but I watched him make par putts when the chips were down all afternoon. Gut-checking putts that put him in victory circle and seeded second for the Cup Championship. This may be the week that the 27 year-old puts his mark on the world of professional golf.

Bubba Watson

We all know that Bubba can show up at a PGA Tournament on any given week, and win. He has played at East Lake before, and finished T5 here last year. I’m not sure if East Lake fits his eye, but he led the field in the new stat, Strokes Gained Tee to Green last week at Cherry Hills, and three consecutive 66’s put him in a position to win it all in Atlanta. Picking Bubba is a crap-shoot, but I need to include him on this list.

All of us here at Pro Golf Now want to wish The King, Arnold Palmer a very Happy 85th Birthday today!

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