No one really cared about the countless complicated FedEx winning algorithms that the stat geeks are throwing around the grounds at East Lake.
No, the solo first day buzz, the talk of the town, the boulder rolling down Stone Mountain was none other than Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods winning again has been the PGA Tour’s greatest hope. This week it could be the PGA Tour’s worst nightmare.
Just imagine if Tiger Woods wins this 2018 version of the Tour Championship and some other poor sucker wins the FedEx Cup. Just imagine you’re Commissioner Jay Monahan, aka The Sherriff of Nottingham and you have to explain to the powers in charge at FedEx why no one is talking at all about the winner of their cup and the $10 million that goes with it. Uh, geez fellas, we never anticipated Tiger breaking through here, but hey, that’s why we’re changing the entire ball of wax.
Yes, that could be the scene on Sunday if Woods keeps playing like he did on Thursday. His Majorness was three under for his round when he unleased one helluva drive at 18 then hit an even better five-wood into the green that settled a comfy 27 feet and change from the hole.
With thousands crossing their fingers, huddled en masse around that closing hole, all Woods did was make one more perfect stroke with Little Scotty and KABOOM! Eagle, 65 and a share of the lead with America’s Mr. Nice — Rickie Fowler.
Instantly, the “What Ifs?” came to the forefront.
In case you were wondering, here’s what has to happen for Tiger Woods to hoist the FedEx Cup on Sunday and save the day for The Sherriff and his henchmen:
First, Tiger has to win the tournament, then the following all have to occur:
Bryson DeChambeau has to finish T15 or worse
Justin Rose has to finish in a three-way for 5th or worse
Tony Finau has to finish T3 or worse
Dustin Johnson has to finish in a three-way tie for 2nd or worse
Justin Thomas has to finish in a three-way tie for 2nd or worse
And finally, Keegan Bradley must finish T2 or worse
Okay, got all that down?
Woods certainly looked like a guy ready to win, especially with that mini-fist pump following the closing eagle that brought a Southern roar.
DeChambeau did his best to help Woods. He had to rally to shoot a one-over 71 and found himself tied for 21st. Keegan Bradley even went a step farther. Keegs shot 73 and is dead-last in the 30-man field.
Rose looked like a machine on his way to 66, Finau was nifty with 67, so was J.T. with his own 67 while Dustin Johnson went in the tank early but like Woods, eagled the 18th to post 69 and get himself in the hunt.
So look at that and you see it’s a long-shot for Tiger and the Cup, but things look pretty good for him otherwise.
This is a perfect stage for Woods and he knows it. He’s played well here and he’s back after a five-year absence and the fans are pumped.
“It’s been unbelievable — the amount of support. The crowds — they really want me to play well and I’m trying!” Tiger said.
Trying? It was a pretty spiffy display on Thursday. Take away Tiger’s three-putt bogey at the first hole and it was a pretty classic Woods round.
Woods was beyond upbeat, jazzed about simply being in the field.
“I’ve earned my way here, there are no exemptions into this field. Everyone here has had a pretty good year,” he said after his day’s work.
Now there’s only one more thing to earn this year for Woods and that’s the “W.”
And if that happens, no one will care who wins the FedEx Cup on Sunday.
