Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Brian Gay: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?

By Tim Letcher

CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 25: Brian Gay of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 25, 2020 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 25: Brian Gay of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 25, 2020 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Brian Gay has made the most of his three starts on the 2020-21 PGA Tour season. Can he contend for this season’s FedEx Cup?

With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 16, Brian Gay.

Best career FedEx Cup finish: Gay has been on the PGA Tour since 1999, before the FedEx Cup was even a thing. He has had varying success in the postseason but has made just one trip to East Lake for the Tour Championship. That came in 2009, when Gay won twice (Verizon Heritage and St. Jude Classic) and ultimately finished 21st in the FedEx Cup standings. He has made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.

More from Golf News

So far this season: Gay has made just three starts on the PGA Tour this season. And it’s been all or nothing for the 49-year-old so far this season.

His first start came at the Safeway Open. Gay shot 77 on Thursday and 75 on Friday to miss the cut by a long shot. It was certainly not how he hoped to start his season.

After three weeks off, Gay was back at it, this time at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. His scores were much better, as he shot 69 on Thursday and 68 on Friday. Still, it was a second straight missed cut for the veteran.

Gay made just one more start in 2020. And he made it count.

At the Bermuda Championship, Gay opened with a 1-under par round of 70. He followed that with a 3-under 68 and he made the cut. But that was just the beginning.

On Saturday, Gay shot a 4-under par 67 and was in fifth place with 18 holes to play. On Sunday, he took the lead and appeared to be ready to win. But he bogeyed the 17th hole to slip back before a birdie on 18 got him to 15-under par. At the end of regulation, Gay would be tied with Wyndham Clark.

Next. Tony Finau Being Sued for Nearly $16 million. dark

On the first playoff hole, which was the 18th, Gay stuck his second shot close to the hole and made the putt to claim victory. It was his fifth PGA Tour win and first since 2013.

The verdict: Gay is this high in the standings thanks to one win. Consider him a pretender for the 2021 FedEx Cup.

Home/Golf News