Brennan's Blog -TOUR Championship

The much anticipated final to the FedEx Cup playoffs is here already with this week's Tour Championship. The PGA Tour has pushed the new playoff format for the past few years and this week is supposed to have a lot of hype with the big $10 million payout on Sunday. Unfortunately Vijay has the first place locked up but there should still be lots of excitement as the tournament unfolds and the rest of the FedEx Cup standings play out. There is still at lot of money at stake here as fifth place pays $1 million, so the guys will be doing their best to move up this week.  I know there have been a lot of complaints this year over the point system and how unfair it is but I think it really rewarded guys who played well in the three week playoff run.  These systems are very difficult to perfect and I'm sure there will be some adjusting for next year.  I also think it is impossible to keep everyone happy as there will always be guys who don't make the Tour Championship and blame the system for that.  I think it is very unfortunate that Padraig Harrington didn't make it this week as he has won two majors, so maybe a little adjusting to the system could prevent that next year.
 
The Tour Championship is being played at the newly renovated East Lake Country Club, in Atlanta.  The renovations were much needed after last year when they didn't allow practice rounds for a few days because the greens were in such poor condition.  They had to limit the shots to the greens during practice and even had to cancel the pro-am which is unheard of on Tour.  The scores were very low as the greens were soft and receptive, not at all like they should be here.  Since last year they have redone all the greens with new Bermuda grass.  This week will be the first time anyone has played on them in the past six months.  It's funny to see a golf course that has had no play.  There isn't a divot on the course and not a ball mark on the greens.  They have done a great job with the new greens with only one complaint: they are almost too firm right now.  New greens tend to be very firm and so far this week they're living up to the hype.  If the wind blows at all I think the approach shots that play downwind will be tough to keep on the greens.  There really isn't much you can do about this as a superintendant.  It will just take a few years for the greens to settle and become a bit more receptive.
 
The rest of the course is in fantastic condition as you would imagine with no play.  The fairways are perfect and the rough isn't that long but with the Bermuda grass down here the ball can sit right down.  They have made a few changes since the last time we were here, including adding some length which comes as no surprise to anyone.  They have also made the 17th hole a much more difficult hole by bringing the water into play on the left side, making the drive that much more difficult.  It's a green that you have to be coming in from the fairway and with the water left it really requires a good tee shot.  The bail out is right but then it's impossible to hit the green from the right rough or bunker.  The final hole is famous at East Lake; a 225 yard par 3.  Probably one of the toughest par 3's we play all year, it makes for a very challenging 18th.  Green slopes hard back to front therefore it's a very difficult shot.  With the firm greens this year there is going to be plenty of balls over the green and that's the last place you want to be.

I think the golf course this year is great and really look forward to a competitive tournament.  I think it would be great to cap off a good summer with a win and a trip back to Hawaii for the Mercedes Championship in early January!

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