The current 2022-2023 PGA season is quickly coming to an end with Lee Hodges winning the 3M Open and $1.4 Million 1st place prize money along with 500 FedEx points that assures him a spot in the FedEx Cup Championship
When asked by CBS Sports Reporter Amanda Renner about the importance of his first win, Hodges responded, “These two tournaments will determine the final standings in the FedEx Cup Race. It’s what you dream about as a kid. It’s why I practice so hard.”
Amanda asked him about his goal to be aggressive coming into this final round. Hodges replied, “I thought I was really aggressive. I thought I was too aggressive with the putter sometimes. I kept knocking them by the hole, but that was my goal to be aggressive. I mean, I was not trying to just lag it up there I was trying to give it a chance. I wish I kind of would have cozied them up there a little better, but it all worked out.”
“My caddie told me on 18 that we get to play Augusta next year. That’s the coolest thing I heard all day.” said a happy Lee Hodges.
PLAYING UGLY COST J.T POSTON $260,000
J.T. Poston was among a trio of players who tied for second. Poston needed to make a 7 at the last hole to wrap up solo second and win $850K. He made an 8 to fall into a T2 and win $590K. When asked about his decision to go for the green over the water with a difficult lie, he responded, “Not out here to finish 2nd. Trying to win. Would make that decision 10 times out of 10 under circumstances.” Maybe the feeble-minded J.T. Poston thought this was the right thing to say to the media, but it was darn right stupid mistake even considering the 259-yard carry over water from an awkward sidehill lie.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Wyndham Championship is the last tournament left on the schedule and will take place this coming week. This will be the last chance for those players who find themselves just outside the top 70 players to qualify for the FedEx Cup to move up and unfortunately, it will also be a chance for some to move out of the top 70. The last 2023 tournament, set for August 2-6 will mark the 84th edition of North Carolina’s oldest professional golf event.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Qualifying for the FedEx Cup Championship is a top priority for most golfers’ while others are looking at a chance to be chosen for this year’s Ryder Cup Team. Needless to say, both these tournaments are the “Mother Lode” for every PGA TOUR Golfer. The PGA TOUR’s revolving door is beginning to pick up speed as players find themselves either heading in or out of some very lucrative and prestigious opportunities. Let’s take a quick look at what’s ahead for those golfers who have earn the right to move on to the postseason.
2023 FEDEX CUP
The FedEx Cup selection is based on the total FedEx points a player accumulates over the course of the current PGA season. The top 70 players are headed to the first of 3 Championship tournaments starting with the Saint Jude Championship scheduled for August 7 -13 in Memphis TN at the TPC Southwind Course.
The second FedEx Championship tournament is the BMW Championship scheduled for August 14 – 20 in Olympia Fields, IL at Olympia Fields Country Club North Course. Only the top 50 of the 70 players that participated in the St. Jude Championship will be eligible to to move on to Championship tournament. The FedEx Championship scheduled for August 24 – 27 in Atlanta at East Lake Golf Club. This will have only the top 30 of the 50 players who participated at the BMW Championship.
2023 RYDER CUP
The U.S. Ryder Cup team announced Jim Furyk as a vice captain for the upcoming 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club outside Rome, Italy, September 29 – October 1, 2023. The 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup captain and recently named 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup captain will join 2023 Captain Zach Johnson in the leadership room alongside fellow vice captains Steve Stricker and Davis Love III.
Selection for the Ryder Cup Team isn’t quite as clean cut as the FedEx Cup. The six golfers with the most points from the beginning of 2022 through August’s 2023 BMW Championship automatically make the team. A week after the six automatic qualifiers are determined, Team Captain, Zach Johnson will announce his six captain’s picks on August 28th, the day following the conclusion of the TOUR Championship.
Potential Captain Picks are Cameron Young, Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley, Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler along with recent major winners Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman. Justin Thomas and Tony Finau are among those still fighting for a spot.
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