The Northern Trust preview: Hideki Matsuyama starts four-week postseason on top
The 2016-17 FedEx Cup Playoffs are finally here, bringing with it mixed emotions as the season comes to a close.
On one hand, the playoffs provide excitement as all the game's top names battle it out for season glory and a $10 million bonus. However, the end of the four-week sprint also marks the end of yet another captivating season.
The Northern Trust, formerly known as The Barclays, hosts the first playoff event. Adam Scott is not in the field due to the birth of his child, but Rory McIlroy surprisingly did commit to the tournament after admitting during the PGA Championship that he is still dealing with pain in his side/shoulder.
The Course
Glen Oaks Club (Composite Course) is a 7,350-yards par 70. This week's tournament will use holes from all three nines (Red, White and Blue) in order to give players the best challenge.
Taking the place of Liberty National, which will host the Presidents Cup this fall, Glen Oaks Club should prove a stern test for the world's best golfers.
Defending Champion
Patrick Reed kicked off a glorious run of form late last season with a win at The Barclays. He broke out of his funk two weeks ago with a t-2 at the PGA Championship, and he now looks like a threat to contend in the playoffs.
Currently ranked 38th in the FedEx Cup standings, Reed will need another impressive showing this week to gain ground on the leaders.
Standings: Leaders
Hideki Matsuyama (2,869 points), Justin Thomas (2,689), Jordan Spieth (2,671), Dustin Johnson (2,466) and Rickie Fowler (1,832)
The top-five players in the standings entering the Tour Championship will control their own destinies, so the five listed above will be doing everything they can to hold their places.
Matsuyama and Thomas have started to heat up again after sizzling starts to the season. Thomas bested Matsuyama to win the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The two could soon find themselves in a battle for yet another coveted trophy.
Spieth and Fowler have been consistent all season, piling up top 10s. Johnson was hot early, but an injury before the Masters split his season into two halves.
Guys like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka are lurking just outside the top 5, with other big names such as Henrik Stenson and Reed starting to show some form. McIlroy is also hungry to repeat, so the next four weeks could be action packed.
Standings: Bottom 5
J.J. Henry (365), Vaughn Taylor (369), Harold Varner III (375), Rory Sabbatini (375) and Ben Martin (378)
Only the top 100 advance to the next event. Out of the five listed, Varner seems the most likely to survive past this week. He earned a big victory in Australia last winter, and he seems determined to finish this year off strong as well.
At just 113th in the standings, Bubba Watson will be a name to watch this week. He has suffered through an abysmal season, but he has the talent to go on a run and hang around a couple more weeks.