Perhaps the PGA Tour has mastered the art of Jedi Mind Tricks.
How else could someone convince Wyndham Hotels that it’s a great idea to fork over an extra $10 million to a bunch of already-rich golfers in the hopes that it might bring some big names to your otherwise, big-nameless year-ender?
So here we are, checking out the good folks in Greensboro, North Carolina. Great town, great state and what we have here is the regular season finale.
Sadly, this week, like other final weeks at Sedgefield Country Club has become ground zero for desperation — guys trying to claw their way into the first playoff event and guys desperate to cling to their playing cards.
Sadly, this Wyndham Championship falls the week after a biggie — the WGC St. Jude in Memphis.
If that’s not sad enough for the good people of Greensboro, The Sherriff of Nottingham (aka PGA Tour Commish Jay Monahan) sent his most persuasive salesman (henchman) to strong-arm Wyndham Hotels into believing that it is a great idea to fork over that big, fat $10 million to the regular winner and top 10 guys in the FedEx Cup points race.
Only one problem with that — none of them are showing up in Greensboro this week.
Brooks Koepka won in style last week in Memphis, clubbing Rory McIlroy like a swinging piñata. So Brooks wins the regular season points race and pockets $2,000,000 of Wyndham’s money that its hotel guests will have to pay for.
So why was it ever a good idea for Wyndham to hand over $10 million? Sounds like a federal government deal. But no, perhaps The Sherriff’s Henchman told the Wyndham guys that players would get all excited about it and you’d have some of the top five on the FedEx points list showing up, trying for that $2 million.
As if $2 million really means anything to these top players now-days.
So this week you have Webb Simpson, who finished second last week, in the field. He lives nearby, easy trip for Webbie. He’s also won this one before.
You got Sneds (Brandt Snedeker). He’s the defending champion and the star of those ridiculous commercials where a red-bearded wizard waves his wand and Sneds’ putt that came up short magically falls into the hole.
Then there’s Jordy (Jordan Spieth). Spieth is the poster boy for desperation. He’s 69th on the FedEx Cup points list and obviously needs a bunch of points if he doesn’t want to miss East Lake for the second straight year.
Maybe a guy worth watching is Collin Morikawa, newest winner (Barracuda) and newest tour members. This kid is good. Doesn’t hit it out of the ball park like most of ’em. His game is precision, greens, fairways and good putting — a total lost art on tour these days.
So yes, Wyndham will put its best foot forward this week.
The regular season ends and Wyndham still doesn’t have a big name in the field.
Quite the con-job. You’re $10 million lighter in the treasury and all the big names are home relaxing by the pool.
PGA Tour Schedule for 2019-2020 season:
