Why every match counts in Austin: Players mindful of new TOUR Championship format
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AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Henrik Stenson (L) of Sweden shakes hands with Jason Day of Australia On the 15th green after defeating him 4&3 during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 28, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, Texas – The new format for the TOUR Championship should ensure the big-name stars without a chance to advance at the World Golf Championship–Dell Technologies Match Play will still be fully engaged during Friday's matches.
For the first time, the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup finale will sport a handicapped scoring system based off FedExCup points through the Regular Season and the opening two FedExCup Playoffs events.
Positions on that 30-man list represent a starting score at East Lake in Atlanta beginning with the leader at 10-under down to those ranked 26th to 30th being even par.
Second will be 8-under, third 7-under, fourth 6-under and fifth 5-under with each group of five players below that progressively starting a shot behind the last.
The bottom line is, a few extra points from a win on Friday could be the difference between shots in the chase for the FedExCup trophy and the $15 million.
Last season, as little as two points separated players inside the top 30 heading to East Lake.
“Every shot matters out on TOUR but a win on Friday could be the shot you need in Atlanta,” Jason Day said after losing his second straight group match.
The two-time WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play winner now faces Phil Mickelson on Friday. Neither have a chance to advance.
“You want to put yourself in the best possible position to win the FedExCup when you get to East Lake. Who knows if a few points here or there could make a huge difference. We’ve seen it before in just making it to the TOUR Championship.”
Bubba Watson is the defending champion at Austin Country Club. He also has no chance to advance after two losses.
Watson is aware of the ramifications another loss could have down the road, but chooses not to get stuck in the nitty gritty of it all.
“Tomorrow’s match … It’s a matter of pride. You don’t want to be the guy who is 0-fer I am not going to be the guy who gives up,” Watson said ahead of his Friday match against Jordan Spieth.
“We know every shot matters, but it’s not just here. It is every week on TOUR. I four-putted in Los Angeles. We can sit back and nit-pick shots on every golf tournament.
“So it is important not to focus too much on things like points or money at this stage. For me, I am playing a buddy tomorrow who I want to beat. It should be a fun match.”