Predictions: The Tour Championship

Well ladies and gentlemen, the final event of the 2010 FedEx Cup playoffs is upon us, as The Tour Championship is about ready to get underway at East Lake in Atlanta. We’ve had some great tournaments in this year’s race for the FedEx Cup, and this one usually never disappoints, as defending champion Phil Mickelson will be looking to repeat here, and try to be a factor in winning the cup. However, Matt Kuchar and Charley Hoffman are your top two right now, and will certainly be trying to win their first ever FedEx Cup trophy. Let’s get right to the predictions!

Here are my five favorites this week:

Matt Kuchar

The week break might have actually hurt Kuchar’s chances more than it helped his chances, as he has clearly been the best player on tour over the last month or so. Still though, I don’t see him taking too big of a step back this week, and it would surprise me if he’s not in contention on Sunday. This is his FedEx Cup to lose, and given the way he has played down the stretch this season, it’s almost hard to root against him in this spot. He’ll certainly be a contender.

Paul Casey

I still believe that Casey is going to win very soon, and I thought it would come at the BMW a few weeks ago. He’s clearly using the European Ryder Cup team snub as motivation to play some great golf right now, and he had his chances at Cog Hill. But since he is one of the five that can control his own destiny this week, it seems like he will find a way to be towards the top of the leaderboard all week long. I thought he should have made the European team, and he should continue his solid late-season play this week at East Lake.

Phil Mickelson

Phil’s season started with a whole lot of promise after the victory at Augusta, but since then, there hasn’t been a whole lot to talk about with him. He’s had his chances to become the number one ranked player in the world, but he’s been unable to capitalize on those opportunities. I mean, he’s got to win more than once this year, right? If there’s a place where he’s gonna add another win, this is it. He’s the defending champion, and should play well on this course for a second year in a row.

Dustin Johnson

It had to be rather sweet for Johnson to push past the difficulties he’s faced in recent months, and pick up another win on the season at the BMW. But still, it didn’t make up for the two majors that ended in heartbreak for him. While winning the FedEx Cup playoffs isn’t like winning a major, it would undoubtedly be a nice boost for Johnson if he can win here, and take home the FedEx Cup trophy. He’s not as hot as Kuchar has been, but he’s certainly right up there in terms of consistency as of late.

Ernie Els

Els isn’t really being mentioned as one of the top favorites this week, but we have to keep in mind the type of season he’s had. He’s won twice this year, and always seems to play well at East Lake, so he’s got to be considered a true contender this week. I’d say he’s kind of in the same boat as Phil, as both are probably wondering what might have been, as even though Els has one more win than Phil this season, he certainly would have like to capitalize on a few more chances, and picked up another win or two this season. He’ll have a chance to add one more this week, and it’ll be very surprising if he isn’t hovering around the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

And the winner is…..

This is a tough pick, because the week off sort of takes a few things out of play, such as players that have been a hot streak. But most of those guys are still the favorites, and picking just one of these players is really hard to do.

But hey, that’s why we make predictions, and so, I’m going with Els. I’ve picked him several times this year, and haven’t been right, so maybe this is the time. Given his recent success on this course, I just feel like he’s going to play well.

Who’s your pick for the week?