Brennan's Blog - Deutsche Bank Championship

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:13:16

I apologize to those who read the caddy reports for not having one last week but I experienced some internet issues and couldn't get it done. The first week of the playoffs turned out to be a very productive week as we moved up some 25 spots to now sit 18th. The top 30 after next week's event will get in the tour championship so that would be a nice way to finish the year. I think the change in venues last week from Westchester to Ridgewood Country Club was a great move and thought that was one of the best courses we've played all year. I hope they can get things worked out so we go back there on a regular basis.

On Sunday night after the Barclays Mike, myself, Camillo Villegas, and his caddy hopped on a plane and went up to some small town in NY State that hosted the Notah Begay III Charity Skins game. It was home to the Turning Stone resort and what a beautiful place it was. The hotel was fantastic and the golf course, which also hosts the Turning Stone Championship was a excellent. There were 5 players: Mike, Camillo, Vijay, Notah, and Stewart Cink who played in a Skins game with the proceeds going to Notah's Chairty that supports sports programs for young native Americans. Unfortunately we got shut out but with five guys in a skins game it all comes down to one or two holes for all the money. I think everyone who was involved in the event did a great job and a lot of money was raised for a very good cause.

This week we are just outside of Boston for the second playoff event: the Deutsche Bank Championship. There has been a lot of talk about the point structure for the playoffs this year and all the movement that has occurred after the first event. Unlike last year where you had a very hard time to move anywhere on the list, this year there have been some very big jumps, with more to come. This week is going to be very important for a lot of guys as they try to move their way into the top 70 for next week and top 30 for the Tour Championship. The event is hosted at TPC Boston which is the same place we played last year and a pretty good golf course. I wouldn't call it one of the best ones we play but it is still a good test.

Located between Boston and Providence, RI the course is kind of in the middle of nowhere. It is in its early stages but in great shape I must say. The course has potential to play very firm and fast this week as the course is already drying up and there is really no rain until the weekend. This course is a little different from your traditional Northeast courses as there is a lot of fescue mixed in with trees so it has a very unique look to it. Some of the holes are lined with trees and then there are ones with large mounds that are covered by deep fescue that you want to avoid at all costs! With the ball running on the fairways like it is I really don't think distance is going to be that important this week. It's definitely going to be more of an iron and putting week. The fairways are wide and the greens are severe so it will be difficult to get the ball close on a lot of holes. The players who can control their approach shots to the greens and obviously those who make putts will have a good week.

This is a really important week for us as the season winds down. Mike had a good chance to win last week and over the past few months has really played some good golf. The difference between 7th and 1st last week was two strokes therefore it tells you a good bounce or another made putt can make all the difference. I'm sure he's feeling very confident with his play and I know he's excited to see how these next two weeks play out. If we can have a few more good weeks we'll hopefully have an opportunity to win the illustrious FedEx Cupï¿½the $10 million bonus won't hurt either!

Thanks and stay tuned for more.