The Barclays Championship | Thebigtip

The Field

Outside of the majors, the FedEx Cup boasts the best fields.  With 8 of the World’s top 10, and 18 major winners competition is expected to be tough.  All the big names of Tiger, Phil, Ernie and Vijay will be there and will be joined by an incredible 13 Australians.  16 nations are represented, but apart from the United States, Australia has the biggest contingent.

The Course

Ridgewood Country Club is not the place for attacking golf.  The course puts a premium on accurate ball striking and in unforgiving on attacking golf.  Putting together a solid round here requires a consistent round, and will test the mental toughness of all golfers.  Weather will play its part in New Jersey and with some great days expected low scoring will be required to see some weekend action.

The FedEx Cup

The FedEx Cup is the culmination of the year’s events.  All year the players have been earning points in order to compete in the richest month of golf.  Over four tournaments 125 golfers are culled to 30 as they compete for the FedEx Cup.

Week 1            Barclays Championship                            Aug 26-29      Ridgewood CC     Top 125

Week 2            Deutsche Bank Championships             Sept 3-6         TPC Boston             Top 100

Week 3            BMW Championships                                Sep 9-12        Cog Hill                    Top 70

Week 4            The Tour Championship                           Sep23-26       East Lake CC        Top 30

The Chances

Ernie Els FedEx Ranking 1 World Ranking 8

The ‘Big Easy’ has dominated the rankings this year, and has led for the last 20 weeks.  Els 2010 has been outstanding winning three times, and recording some great results in the majors.  Ridgewood should suit Els and you would expect him to be somewhere at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Vijay Singh FR 65WR77

A two-time winner of the Barclays Singh has been Fiji’s best known export for some time now.  Singh has not had the greatest year results wise, but the second half of the year has shown glimpses.  A player as talented as Singh should be able to perform well over the next few weeks.

Steve Stricker FR2 WR4

The talented American has been a standout this year.  Currently 4th in putts and a top 25 accuracy rating has Stricker 2nd in the FedEx standings.  Over the next month you would expect Steve to build on his six top 10 finishes for the year, and I think a top 3 finish for Stricker is on the cards.

Matt Kuchar FR 9 WR23

Two top 10’s in his last two outings has Kuchar with the belief he can win this week.  The course will suit Kuchar this week, with consistency being his strongest weapon.  This week I can see Kuchar’s first win to complete what has been an outstanding 2010 on the tour.  

The Australians

Robert Allenby FR 19 WR 17

Will miss the cut after coming back from knee surgery Prediction: Miss Cut

Jason Day FR28 WR 55

Will continue on from his top 10 result at the USPGA Prediction: 20-40

Stuart Appleby FR 30th WR 95

Has follow his unbelievable 59 with 8 rounds above 70 Prediction: Miss Cut

Adam Scott FR32 WR 44

The Texas Open winner will see some weekend action Prediction: 50-70

Geoff Ogilvy FR 39 WR 36

Is struggling to find his form from early in the year Prediction: Miss Cut

Marc Leishman FR 48 WR 94

Will be looking for a great month to repeat last years heroics. Prediction: 40-60

Matthew Jones FR56 WR 159

Narrowly missed out last year, expect to be solid all week. Prediction 20-40

Michael Sim FR67 WR 61

Two top 3’s in the last month, great form will continue for Sim Prediction: 5-20

Steve Elkington FR 68 WR178

Ignore the world ranking; the veteran is playing some great golf Prediction: 10-30

Greg Chalmers FR69 WR 146

Struggling to find any decent form lately Prediction: Miss Cut

Aaron Baddeley FR93 WR202

Has made the last six cuts and will be looking to make it seven. Prediction: 40-60

John Senden FR 99 WR112

Will not be making a return to this years Tour Championships Prediction: Miss Cut

Nathan Green FR119 WR203

Needs a great result to continue in this years FedEx Cup Prediction: 50-70

Tiger Talk

Once again the World’s media will be focussed on Tiger.  We all know what Tiger is capable of, but is he mentally switched on at the moment.  Currently sitting at 113 in the FedEx standings, Woods would have to improve to the top 100 for his year to continue.  Normally I would say Tiger would be a certainty to achieve this, but a course requiring patience is not what Tiger needs this week.  I predict Tiger will miss this weeks cut, and promptly make himself unavailable for the Ryder Cup.

My Best Bets

I can see Matt Kuchar winning the event, Elkington or Sim being the leading Australian and Tiger missing the cut.

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