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A historical weekend has concluded on the PGA TOUR that reassured professionals, presidents, and patrons that the future of the game is in very, very good hands. The new generations are continuously amazing the media and sporting world that hard work, personality, dedication, and passion are the key factors that create a champion, and today was an example of how those qualities are possible. Regardless of where you come from or how you get to the big leagues, for lack of a better phrase, dreams really do come true.
Jason Day’s ultimate dream has finally come true; he is now officially the best golfer on the planet, ascending to the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) after his much-deserved victory Sunday afternoon at the BMW Championship. Day adds another trophy to his cabinet, winning the third leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs in addition to The Barclays he won three weeks ago, along with 2,000 points and $1.5 million. The 28-year-old is still leading the FedEx Cup standings, but that doesn’t matter as the 30 remaining golfers will be reseeded with their points.
The Australian won by six strokes over American Daniel Berger for his fourth win in his last six PGA TOUR starts that included a PGA Championship. Day also led by the same margin after Saturday’s third round, setting the season record for most strokes led after 54 holes. Check out Day’s final putt on the 72nd hole and the reaction that followed:
The winning putt and the first interview with “World No. 1 @JDayGolf.” #FedExCup http://t.co/ue5seqGy2n
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 20, 2015
Notables:
Hunter Mahan’s impressive run of consecutive FedEx Cup tournament appearances came to a halt on Sunday afternoon, as he failed to finish inside the Top 30 and instead settled for 49th. Since 2007, Mahan has competed in all four playoff events whether he was near the top or the bottom; that’s 35 tournaments, which anyone can admit is an impressive playoff career among all the golfers in the world. He’ll now be a mere spectator if he wishes to be at the East Lake next weekend. Hats off to the 33-year-old!
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Rickie Fowler won the Deutsche Bank Championship two weeks ago, but still came into Chicago with a winning mindset. Performing stellar shots that put him in contention over the weekend, especially on Sunday’s final round. The California native would ultimately finish the BMW Championship in a tie for fourth with J.B. Holmes and Rory McIlroy, eight shots back of Day. Fowler even came out to the 18th green after the winner’s final putt to show his appreciation and respect for the new World No. 1.
First to congratulate Jason Day: @RickieFowler. pic.twitter.com/O9GMg214J6
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 20, 2015
Shot of the Week:
Jordan Spieth may have been getting into a top-of-the-world contest with Rory McIlroy in recent weeks, but that didn’t stop him from playing great golf! The 22-year-old earns our shot of the week with a hole-in-one he made on the 196-yard 11th hole in his first round on Thursday. It’s too bad this reporter wasn’t there in person to witness it as Spieth celebrated his accomplishment with free beer and pizza for all of the media in attendance! A good Texan would’ve probably gone for whiskey and slow-smoked ribs, but a good college-aged gentleman always makes an effort to please everybody with a crowd favorite! Check it out:
How did @JordanSpieth take honors away from birdie machine @JDayGolf? With this miraculous shot that’s how @BMWchamps http://t.co/CLehVw3IE6
— ESPN Golf (@ESPNGolf) September 17, 2015
The Final Cut:
Only one event remains in the 2015 FedEx Cup Playoffs and right now, those lucky 30 golfers are making their way towards East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, the home of the great Bobby Jones! This is what we as golf fans and writers have been waiting for all year long because anything can happen on one of golf’s most hallowed grounds. Heads will roll, but the golf balls will be rolling farther as the layout of this course is fit for a playoff-caliber tournament. To finish at this place and win it all will be one of the biggest accomplishments for these young men looking to be crowned as the best players of the 2015 PGA TOUR season; plus who can turn down a prize pot of $10 million and lifting up that covenant trophy.
What’s special about this week is that all the players in the Top 30 have been reseeded, meaning that the points they have now get wiped away and replaced with new scores. The standings will remain the same, but this now gives anyone in the Top Five a chance to win it all; to sum up, if you’re in the Top Five and win the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, you will automatically win the FedEx Cup, thus adding to the excitement of the PGA TOUR playoff format.
The Top 10 in the FedEx Cup Standings:
1) Jason Day, AUS 2,000 (Reseeded Points)
2) Jordan Spieth, USA 1,800
3) Rickie Fowler, USA 1,600
4) Henrik Stenson, SWE 1,440
5) Bubba Watson, USA 1,280
6) Zach Johnson, USA 1,120
7) Dustin Johnson, USA 960
8) Charley Hoffman, USA 800
9) Daniel Berger, USA 640
10) Patrick Reed, USA 480
The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola takes place September 24 – 27 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Here’s a preview as to how these guys got here in the first place!