GOLF 101

The general consensus of the golf media is that Rory McIlroy's four wins, that include the PGA Championship, have him as a lock for the PGA Tour's Player of the Year award.

  

Unfortunately, the members of the golf media don't get to vote when the tour awards it's top prize later this year. That honor goes to the PGA tour players, and I'm wondering if a Tiger Woods' victory at this week's Tour Championship could change some of the voters' minds.

There's no doubt that McIlroy's run of good form over the last couple of months makes him a clear favorite. His major win will also be a big factor if he ultimately receives the honor. But a Woods' win at Eastlake could at least muddy the issue in some players minds.

A Tiger win at the tour finale would equal Rory for most wins on Tour this season with four. McIlroy would remain the Tour's leading money winner, no matter how the players finish – unless of course one or both decided to participate in some Fall series events, similar to what Luke Donald and Webb Simpson did last year.

With a victory on Sunday, Woods can claim to be the regular season leader in the FedEx Cup standings, as well as the overall Champion. Maybe that's not a major, but it's indication of a successful and consistent season, something that might appeal to the tour regulars. 

McIlroy hass been spectacular at the conclusion of the season, but did go through a long stretch of poor play during the spring and summer. Will the voters remember this and hold it against him?

If the players voted today, the young Irishman would certainly be the choice for the season's top player. But a Woods triumph on Sunday, especially a convincing one, could reverse the momentum.

It's just another possible scenario that makes this weekend so interesting. 

Here are the first round tee times (all time Eastern):

Time	Player 1	Player 2
11:35 am	John Senden	Scott Piercy
11:45 am	Rickie Fowler	Ryan Moore
11:55 am	Webb Simpson	John Huh
12:05 pm	Hunter Mahan	Justin Rose
12:15 pm	Adam Scott	Ernie Els
12:25 pm	Bo Van Pelt	Robert Garrigus
12:35 pm	Carl Petterson	Jim Furyk
12:45 pm	Luke Donald	Matt Kuchar
12:55 pm	Steve Stricker	Keegan Bradley
1:05 pm	Bubba Watson	Sergio Garcia
1:15 pm	Zach Johnson	Jason Dufner
1:25 pm	Dustin Johnson	Lee Westwood
1:35 pm	Brandt Snedeker	Louis Oosthuizen
1:45 pm	Nick Watney	Phil Mickelson
1:55 pm	Rory McIlroy	Tiger Woods

 

 

Tags: Eastlake, FedEx Cup, Golf, PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Tour Championship

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