Each week, GolfChannel.com takes a look back at the week in golf. In this edition of After Further Review, our writers weigh in on the timing of Ryder Cup captain’s picks in the wake of Billy Horschel’s two-stroke win at the BMW Championship and the fatigue that comes with playing in four-straight weeks of FedEx Cup playoffs.
Four consecutive weeks of playoff golf, particularly postseason play that is just two week’s removed from a World Golf Championship and a major, is too much. First Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose who bypassed the second postseason stop at TPC Boston for various reasons, then Phil Mickelson opted for rest over a late-season attempt to qualify for the Tour Championship on Saturday at the BMW Championship. Although the traditional post-Deutsche Bank Championship “off” week returns next year, that doesn’t change the growing perception among players that four consecutive weeks, or even four of five weeks, is not conducive to good golf. – Rex Hoggard
There is a major procedural problem with the timing of the Ryder Cup captain’s picks.
While I understand the rationale behind the PGA Championship as the automatic qualifier list cutoff point (offering an additional plotline to the PGA of America’s other crown jewel), there’s no rhyme or reason to picks being announced after just two FedEx Cup events.
This might sound like Monday morning quarterbacking, but on a week where Billy Horschel won and players like Ryan Palmer, Morgan Hoffmann and Brooks Koepka contended for titles, it only exacerbated Tom Watson’s claim that he wanted hot hands on his roster.
How should it be fixed? Two suggestions: Either move back the captain’s picks to after the Tour Championship or release one name each week for three weeks in a row – a move which would certainly maximize fan interest and heighten the impending drama. – Jason Sobel
FedEx Cup fatigue has set in. Rory McIlroy four-putted two days in a row. Sergio Garcia bladed a chip into a pond. Ryan Palmer shanked a wedge into a hazard. Hey, at least they were still in Denver on Sunday – Phil Mickelson bailed after two rounds. Multimillionaires won’t get much sympathy for being forced to play four events in a row with tens of millions of dollars at stake, but it’s clear that the quality of play in these playoffs has been sacrificed with the nonstop schedule. When trying to handicap the field for this week’s Tour Championship, don’t just consider who is playing well or has a strong history at East Lake. Also ask: At this point, who still cares? – Ryan Lavner
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