Golf Comment: Johnson peaking as FedEx Cup finale nears
THE BMW Championship may have ended a day late due to bad weather but there’s not too much wrong with Zach Johnson’s timing as the finale to golf’s richest competition arrives this week.
Former Masters winner Johnson’s victory on Monday was his first of the year but capped a superb run of six top 10 finishes in seven events and saw him surge up the FedEx Cup standings from 27th to fourth.
It means the American three-time Ryder Cup star will scoop the $10m (£6.3m) prize – the biggest in the game – if he wins the final event of the play-offs, the Tour Championship at East Lake, Atlanta.
The other men guaranteed to win the FedEx Cup if they take first place on Sunday are Tiger Woods, who tops the standings, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, current Masters champion Adam Scott and Matt Kuchar.
EVERGREEN
Stenson currently tops the European Tour’s Race to Dubai as well, meaning he could claim supremacy in both major tours this year – testament to his remarkable consistency throughout 2013.
Jim Furyk is just outside the FedEx Cup top 10 after being overtaken by Johnson in Monday’s final round, the sixth time in a row the experienced American has led after 54 holes but fallen short of closing out the win.
England’s Luke Donald rediscovered his form to finish strongly and claim a tie for fourth at the BMW Championship, something a player of his quality is always capable of doing.
It meant he was among the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship. On the one hand I’m pleased for Luke, but on the other hand I was hoping to include him in my team for the Seve Trophy in a couple of weeks!
Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter did not qualify for this week’s event, so are set to be available to me, which is a great boost to the team.
I must also salute Miguel Angel Jimenez, who was only denied a first title since breaking his leg in a skiing accident last Christmas at the Dutch Open on Sunday. Well done to winner Joost Luiten but a great effort from the evergreen Spaniard.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam