Playing in his first Tour Championship, former Georgia Bulldog Kevin Kisner is not above eliciting whatever partisan support he can.
The man may not know East Lake — he played his first nine holes on the course Monday, ate there once during a Georgia Tech recruiting visit — but he knows his audience.
“Hopefully we can get some Dogs out there barking,” he said, “and get rid of that Gator chomp that happened on the 18th green last year.” Recall Billy Horschel, the former Florida Gator, and his 2014 victory celebration.
Making the Tour Championship is just one benefit of finishing in the top 30 in FedEx Cup points. It also assures him of a spot in three of next year’s majors, including the first one in Augusta. That has even greater meaning to someone who grew up in nearby Aiken, S.C.
“They’re probably going to get sick of me around there (Augusta National),” he said, referring to pre-tournament practice access.
So, there's a chance?: Another former Bulldog, Harris English, was the last man to make the Tour Championship field, nailing down 30th place in FedEx Cup point standings with an 18-foot birdie putt on his last hole at the BMW Championship on Sunday.
Here’s what must happen for the last soul in to win the $10 million Fed Ex Cup: Jason Day must finish 29th or worse; Jordan Spieth must finish in a three-way tie for sixth or worse; Rickie Fowler must finish in a tie for fourth or worse; Henrik Stenson must finish in tie for third or worse; Bubba Watson must finish in a three-way tie for second or worse; Zach Johnson must finish tied for second or worse; and English must win.
“I know realistically I don’t have a very good chance to win the FedEx but I can still try to win the Tour Championship and the trophy,” he said. “I’m not being complacent this week. I’m happy I’m in the field and want to use this opportunity to try to win a tournament.”
The commish speaks: PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has not had to deal with deflated balls or domestic abuse, so it has been a pretty good season for him all in all.
In fact, as he appeared Wednesday in his usual wrap-up press appearance, the dominant topic was just how healthy his product is these days.
“I think this is, in many ways, our strongest year, historically,” he said, gushing over the rising generation of telegenic stars who might carry the sport for another decade or so.
Where are you, Sergio?: Sergio Garcia is the only healthy member of the world's top 10 not in the Tour Championship. He's paying the price for skipping the first two playoff events. Finchem saw little need to invent more incentives for top players to perform in the playoffs. "The amount of talent that's out there now, it's not that big a deal," Finchem concluded.
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