Tommy Gainey entered this week 30th in the FedExCup standings. A good performance in New Orleans would, among other things, get him into the field for THE PLAYERS Championship.
This is the final week players can earn a spot in the field by ranking in the top 30 in the FedExCup standings.
At even pa through seven holes on Sunday and 10 under for the week in a tie for seventh, Gainey is more than safe at this point. He’s currently projected to move up to 27th (click here for full projected standings).
Others aren’t so fortunate.
Troy Matteson (61st entering this week) finished his week at 4 under and is well back. Keegan Bradley, who was 64th coming in, was a stroke better at 5 under. Chris Kirk, meanwhile, missed the cut.
Those in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking also qualify for THE PLAYERS, but that list appears to be set.
Watson, Simpson pull away
Three holes into the final round for Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson and neither has been able to break free of the other. Both are 3 under through their first three holes to extend the lead to three.
Simpson birdied the first hole, Watson the third and both eagled the par-5 second.
Ironically, Watson has been less than great in final rounds this year — he ranks 129th on the PGA TOUR in final-round scoring average at 72.17. Simpson? He’s 10th with an average score of 69.
To follow the final group live with Shot Tracker, click here.
Choi healthy and in contention
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
What’s been the difference in K.J. Choi this year compared to the last couple of years? He’s finally healthy after undergoing treatment that included acupuncture on the area where his lower back and hip meet.
As a result, Choi has found himself in contention a few times, including this week.
Choi has finished in the top 10 three times this year, including twice in each of the last two weeks. He entered today’s final round just two strokes off the lead.
He’s also won in New Orleans before, albeit at English Turn.
“I remember that moment when I won because New Orleans has a very special place in my heart because it was my first PGA TOUR win ever by a Korean,” Choi said. “So it’s always going to be a special memory.”
Now he has a chance to add to that today.
Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 4
Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson share the lead entering the final round of the Zurich Classic. Watson is looking for his third career win and third in less than a year, while Simpson is trying for his first. Will one of them get it, or will it be one of the 15 players within four shots of the lead? Discuss the final round here.
Top spot in FedExCup up for grabs
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
With FedExCup points leader Mark Wilson, who’s won twice this season, not in the field this week, Bubba Watson, Luke Donald and Nick Watney all have a chance to take over the top spot.
Here are the scenarios:
– Donald, who started the week 63 points behind Wilson and is five strokes back of the lead, will take over the No. 1 spot if he wins. He’s also projected to move to the top if he finishes 12th or better, Watson finishes second or worse and Watney
finishes third or worse.
– Watney can move to No. 1 if he wins and Donald finishes second or worse. Watney would also move to the top if he finishes second, Donald finishes fourth or worse and Watson does not win.
– Watson would top the standings if he wins and Donald finishes third or worse.
Simpson’s scrambling paying off
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out why Webb Simpson has a share of the lead heading into the final round: He’s made just two bogeys all week, fewest in the field.
How did Simpson get to that point? Making par or better on 10 of the 12 greens he’s missed this week has certainly helped. Simpson is also sneaky long — he’s 18th in the field in driving distance at 296.2 yards — and of course accurate — he’s fourth in the field in greens in regulation at 77.8 percent.
Simpson may have a share of the lead, but he’s got plenty of company with 24 players within five shots of the lead here in the final round. That’s more than a third of the remaining field.
Follow this link:
Tour Report: Spot in PLAYERS on line for Gainey (PGATOUR.com)