Eurosport - Wed, 24 Sep 15:31:00 2008
The season ending Tour Championship offers a chance for redemption for one Ryder Cup player, but is Sergio Garcia up to the task?
The Tournament: The Tour Championship
The Course: East Lake Golf Club
The home course of American legend Bobby Jones offers the season's top players a chance to close out their year with some low scores. East Lake was rated the seventh easiest course on the circuit last year with the 15th hole rated as the easiest of the PGA Tour's 55 courses.
A Group
Tee 'Em Up: Spain's Garcia is the only member of the defeated European Ryder Cup team from Valhalla set to play in the Tour Championship, and he is the best of the returning players having finished fourth at East Lake last year. Vijay Singh has already clinched the FedExCup. With a $10 million bonus check secured just for finishing the tournament, his motivation might not be as high as Garcia's. The 2002 champion Singh is still the best second pick, however.
Cut 'Em: Americans Jim Furyk and Phil Mickelson are still going to be riding high from their Ryder Cup triumph, especially Furyk after the former US Open champion secured the winning point over the Europeans. But after "staying up all night to party" with their captain, will Paul Azinger's boys be fresh and motivated for the season finale?
B Group
Tee 'Em Up: Late-night parties or not, you would be mad not to include Anthony Kim on your squad after his stunning Ryder Cup performance. Ignore his cocky demeanour, and accusations that he 'body-checked' poor, innocent Ian Poulter. The 23-year-old American is a star in the making, and after his crucial victory over Garcia over the weekend East Lake could prove to be his coming out party. BMW champion Camilo Villegas is another young gun who should shine in Atlanta.
Cut 'Em: Ryder Cup hero Chad Campbell is also one of the tipster favourites this week after he did a solid job to anchor the Americans in Valhalla. The 2003 Tour Championship winner loves this course, but he has failed to come through in major tournaments so far this season. After missing the BMW Championship to be present with wife Amy for the birth of his first child Dax Philipp, the American could opt to take it easy in Atlanta following a very hectic month. Tournament debutants Kevin Sutherland, Ken Duke, D.J. Trahan, Ryuji Imada, and Bubba Watson are also worth keeping on the bench.
C Group
Tee 'Em Up: Former Masters runner-up Tim Clark will look to continue his very strong end to the season and back up his seventh place showing at last year's Tour Championship with a repeat performance. The South African also has two top-10 finishes in his last four starts.
Cut 'Em: American 48-year-old Kenny Perry announced his Ryder Cup retirement soon after the Americans secured victory in Valhalla. The Kentucky native could be one of those still feeling the hangover of the American success.
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