FedEx Cup: Playoff Expectations for Jordan Spieth

Despite some inconsistent play this year, don’t be surprised if Jordan Spieth ends 2016 with a bang.

If you asked most people about the season Jordan Spieth has had to this point, they would say it has been a bit of a let down. It’s easy to see why they would say that when you compare it to last season where he notched five wins including the Masters, U.S. Open, and TOUR Championship.

So far in 2016, Spieth has won twice and currently sits fifth in the FedExCup standings. That is a great year for almost every other player on Tour, but because of his historic 2015 season we are all expecting more.

Despite striking out on majors in 2016, with a strong playoff push he can turn the year into a really impressive season. He will play at the Barclays, Deutsche Bank, BMW Championship, and TOUR Championship to close out his season, where he will be looking to repeat as FedExCup Champion.

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So what should we expect from the young Texan in the playoffs? His iron play will be the determining factor for his performance. That has been the one thing he has struggled with most this season.

Spieth is currently 108th in strokes gained approach-to-green and is 160th in greens in regulation percentage. When you compare it to his 2015 season, Spieth ranked 11th on tour in strokes gained approach-to-green.

Other than that his play statistically has been just as good, if not better.

He is currently fourth in strokes gained putting, ninth in strokes gained around-the-green, third in birdie average, and has added about five yards off-the-tee this year. If Spieth is able to clean up his approaches, especially with wedges in his hand, we could definitely see him start producing the results he did last season in the playoffs.

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As we start to project his performance in the coming weeks, it’s important to keep in mind that the trophy that means the most and will define his season is the FedExCup.

Based on the rule changes a few years ago, no matter what you do in the previous three legs of the playoffs it doesn’t really affect the final 30 man event. If the points added up and didn’t reset at East Lake, Jason Day would have easily had it wrapped up before the TOUR Championship. Basically it’s if you want to win the FedExCup, you need to win at East Lake.

I think Spieth will do better at both the Barclays and Deutsche Bank Championship where he missed the cut a season ago. I don’t think he will win either of those tournaments, but I would expect solid Top-20 results at both.

The BMW Championship is where he will start to really show what he’s got in his game. I predict he comes close to a victory, but settles for a top-three finish.

Those three results will be good enough to put him into the Top-5 in the FedExCup points heading into East Lake which means a win and you are guaranteed to win the FedExCup overall.

Spieth will come into the week with less pressure than the guys in front of him in points. I believe he’ll use that to his advantage to win the TOUR Championship and FedExCup for the second year in a row. East Lake just sets up so well for him and he loves putting on these greens.

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Look for Spieth to validate his year with his playoff performance and set himself up for a big year in 2017.

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