Mahan is projected No. 1 in FEC points through 54 holes

After a disappointing finish at the BMW Championship, Hunter Mahan entered the playoff finale ranked No. 21 in FedExCup points. Now he’s tied for the lead with Aaron Baddeley at nine-under going into Sunday at the Tour Championship.

Mahan rolled in a birdie on the tough par-3 18 to shoot a solid four-under 66 on a day where the leaders struggled, including the top five in FEC points. He’s currently projected to win the FedExCup. When he found out, he said he was “shocked.”  He had no idea until NBC’s Jimmy Roberts told him. (continue reading…)

Bubba on his way to carding a 9 on No. 17

At East Lake on Saturday afternoon Bubba Watson, who followed his second-round 64 with a 79 on Saturday, reminded us that he’s one of the world’s best golfers, but he’s human. He also made it clear he’s not fond of the golf course and wouldn’t play this event if it were a “regular tournament.”

After his drive found the left rough on 17, he caught a flier and his approach shot flew into the back right greenside bunker. Even worse, he had a fried egg lie — which made it extremely tough to control the ball — and there was a good risk that his shot could roll off the green into the water hazard on the other side of the green. (continue reading…)

Pressel: YES!

If you knew what was good for you, you would have been watching Solheim Cup matches held at Killeen Castle, where the USA staged an impassioned comeback to win Saturday’s afternoon fourball session 3-1 to tie Europe 8-8 going into Sunday’s singles.

Some highlights and must-read articles from scribes reporting in Ireland: (continue reading…)

That's what I call teamwork!

Time for a caption contest! (continue reading…)

Aussie power

Adam Scott recovered from a shaky start, going two-over through six, before jumping on the birdie train to card seven birdies in the last 12 holes at East Lake. Scott capped his five-under 65 with consecutive birdies on 17 and 18 — the roar from the crowd was so loud we heard it from the media center during K.J. Choi’s presser — to take a one-shot lead over Choi at the midway mark of the Tour Championship. (continue reading…)

The Tank

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: K.J. Choi has a fantastic sense of humor and tells great stories…in English! Choi is a fan favorite (remember Choi’s Bois?) and often takes the extra effort to acknowledge the crowd even after a bad hole or shot. He didn’t have very many on Friday, though, shooting a five-under 65, a tie for his career best at East Lake, to move to second place at halfway mark of the Tour Championship.

“Bogey? I say, ‘Thank you!’ Better than double-bogey!” Choi, laughing, said earlier this week. (continue reading…)

Stricker in the rough

U.S. Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples might have to find a replacement for a hurting Steve Stricker, along with a new partner for Tiger Woods, in the biennial matches held at Royal Melbourne in November. Stricker, who scrambled to card an even-par 70 in the second round of the Tour Championship, has a herniated disk and a bone spur that have gotten increasingly worse over the last two months. (continue reading…)

Daly didn't like a ruling after plunking his tee shot in the hazard

John Daly is well known for his on-course antics, temper and his tendency for withdrawing — or at the Austrian Open on Friday, storming off the golf course following a disagreement with officials over where he should have taken his drop after hitting his ball in the hazard on the par-3 15th. (continue reading…)

Keegan's got a priority or three on his mind at East Lake

Keegan Bradley hasn’t heard from U.S. Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples yet, but he wishes he had. On Wednesday after he made eight birdies in his practice round, where he teamed up with Phil Mickelson in a match against Chez Reavie and Dustin Johnson.

The 25-year-old rookie, who has two wins, including a major, couldn’t hide the nervous yet enthusiastic expression on his face when asked about the biennial matches between the Americans and Internationals.

“I really want to be picked,” said Bradley on Wednesday. “It would mean a lot to me. It would put a nice end to my year. I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get picked, but I understand if I’m not.” (continue reading…)

Nice

Just a fun nugget…Chez Reavie is playing this week’s Tour Championship. He’s currently No. 8 in FedExCup points and 30th on the PGA Tour money list with earnings of $2,152,267 (which is actually more than his $2,034862 Tour career earnings from ’08-’10).

But get this: Reavie can’t play in the Fall Series events — other than the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open because he finished in the top ten at the last regular season event, the Wyndham Championship (if you top ten and you’re not already in the field for the following tournament, you get a spot).  (continue reading…)