For such a tall player falling from the pinnacle of the FedEx Cup standings, Ernie Els naturally does not appear disheartened. A year ago, when the PGA Tour playoffs in the Big Easy format began, he was at the top of the rankings. In March of that year, after winning a World Golf Championship, his ranking soared to the first place with TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB Forged irons. For the next five months, he remained there. This year, however, he has hardly been sure if he could even qualify for the Barclays. But he did not prefer to give up, which is at the base of several big labels somewhat similar to him.
Els's standing was just outside the top 125 - unable to partake in the FedEx Cup festivities - for which he temporarily decided to participate in the Wyndham Championship in the final week to seek opportunities to enter the Finals. His result tied for 30th place in the sedge fields, earning him enough points to move up to 118th place.
"The situation is a bit different," Els said, "but I think this is a better state of mind. I feel I need to be proactive in climbing up the cruel standings; otherwise, I would just go home. Last year, I was the first seed, but my performance wasn't so good in March this year. I feel I have to climb back up, and I think I am more comfortable with the latter case. Last week, I played three good rounds, and I feel the competitive state reviving. As soon as the current game begins, I feel great immediately."
Only five players over the past four years have qualified each year for the Tour Championship and are eligible for a share of the $10 million bonus - Els is one of them. But this year, ranked 118th, it should be said that gaining entry into the top 30 is relatively slim.
Even so, Els remains highly optimistic, and there are several reasons behind this. One example is Heath Slocum. Without a doubt, he is a typical opportunistic finalist. Two years ago, Heath Slocum, ranked 124th, made his first adventure into the finals lineup, then achieved victory in the Barclays Classic, ultimately securing his ticket to the East Lake final battle.
Another example is Martin Laird. Last year, in the first game, he was phased out, but he won second place in the Barclays Classic with Callaway Razr Hawk Draw irons, which moved his ranking to third place. In the final standings, he placed 11th, earning an additional $30 million bonus.
On Thursday, the fifth FedEx Cup playoff event commenced at Plainfield Country Club. This is the key fourth tournament. The course features a 285-yard par-four opening hole, where you can establish a lot of exciting results.
In addition, the approach differs from the essay of the 125 players. Two-time FedEx Cup champion Tiger Woods, in the last four years, three times was the No. 1 seed after the U.S. PGA Championship but failed to qualify with his first round. Now, Nick Watney is the No. 1 seed. This year, he won two tournaments, including at Doral in the World Golf Championships. "I feel I can do my best position, and so far, I am very satisfied with this annual extravaganza," Nick Watney said, "but we still have a long course to work on. I am very excited and ambitious to see if I can keep living in the next four weeks."
Mickelson maintained his own record since the FedEx Cup began; he was the only player who every year finished in the top ten as the No. 1 seed. This year, he is the sixth seed. Winning the FedEx Cup is one of his goals.
Real big changes occurred at the bottom. There, Els has many players in the same boat. Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington narrowly missed the finals. Last week, he shot a final round 68 to finish tied for 47th. The next two hours, etc., Ireland, were eager to know his ability to make the finals. He was thrilled to do so, and eventually rose to the 124th place in the standings.
In college, Harrington studied professional accounting, so the Irishman is very clear about how many points he needs to avoid elimination. Indeed, in the Barclays Classic, he did the math problems. He feels that he needs to score within the top 30 before the end of the Plains tournament to ensure his place in the top 100 and secure a ticket to Boston next week.
And, like Els, Harrington sees more opportunity. "My point is: I'm in a really nice place, very similar to me with other humans," Harrington said, "To win the FedEx Cup, you need to win one among the first three rounds, meanwhile in the last game, I will work with other players directly to conquer, I just need to show it more quickly."
Some of Harrington’s remarks are misleading, some are true. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, in the last two years, has been in the top 24. Now he is at 101st place, which means if he doesn't perform well in the Barclays Classic, his season will end. Of course, even if he performs poorly, being in a low position still offers some feasibility.
Goosen’s wish isn’t so great, effectively because he encountered a strange incident on the way to New Jersey. Before leaving home in Orlando, Florida, when Hurricane Irene was approaching, Goosen watched the trends. Florida was steering clear of tornadoes, so he decided to move his boat into the garage. But the front cycle of the boat trailer crushed his right big toe. "The area healed up quickly," Goosen said, "I got an X-ray, and they said there were fractures. But I don't think it should be so different; the affliction merely caused pain in my other toes when I walk."
Obviously, this week is a tough climb up the process in the plains. "You have to refuel as quickly as possible, as many as possible to migrate up," Goosen said, "When you get into the top 20, you understand you played well. When you're at 101, you know your activity wasn't good enough. I went to the game when my confidence was strong, and I want it back."
There is also Rod Pampling, who was unsure how to think. One year, the scoring system of mobility was very large. At the start, Rod Pampling's standings were at 33rd, and he missed the cut in the first two rounds, dropping out of the top 70 and failing to even qualify for the BMW Championship. Another year, he started at 98th place, and two weeks later, he still couldn't manage it. This year, Rod Pampling is at 115th, clearly indicating that only a few players who have been pretty good qualify. "I have nothing to lose," Rod Pampling said, "You look at what players do, if you approached the top three in a game, you are presumably damaging the Tour competition when you can get into a marathon, not a small chance, actually truly pleasing."
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Els falls from the pinnacle but retains hope for a FedEx Cup miracle.