Final with a bang for the US golf tour which is giving away 67 million dollars for the closure of the FedExCup: 32 million dollars for the last four Playoff tournaments and 35 million bonuses for the general classification.
It starts today in New York, until Sunday, with the first appointment of this end-of-summer carousel: The Barclay, at the Liberty National Golf Club, a par 71 that winds along the western shore of the bay in New York City, a temple of luxury with a view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline in the background. There are 125 players at the starting line, those who ranked thanks to the points accumulated over the course of the year and, based on the rule who's in is in who's out is out, no one can be replaced even if they give up the place left blank remains blank. Eight million up for grabs for this race and a first coin of 1,440 million dollars, but, above all, the possibility of still accumulating points to get to the fireworks of the last appointment. The Barclay is a classic tournament, with a cut after 36 holes and 70 players (and tied) in the field for victory. The following week, however, 25 players will already be eliminated: from August 30 to September 2 the challenge moves to Boston, for the Deutsche Bank Championship and the field is reduced to 100 players (with a cut to 70 after 36 holes). From 12 to 15 September there is the BMW Championship in Illinois and the players who survived the previous selection will be only 70 (no cuts after 36 holes). Finally closing from 19 to 22 September in Atlanta with the Tour Championship by Coca-Cola and the last 30 remaining players. Four tournaments, each with 8 million prizes, 1,440 for the first. In the end, the general classification will also be drawn up and the bonus will be distributed: 10 million to the best of the best, to the one who has accumulated the most points, taking into account those earned on the tour and those won in the Playoffs; 3 million per second; 2 million to the third and so on up to the 125th classified who will take home a reimbursement of expenses of 70 thousand euros.
The FedExCup is the Eldorado of Pga Usa players and can only be accessed by those who participate in this circuit. Currently number one in the standings is Tiger Woods who will be chasing his third Fedex win. His most direct challengers are Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker (reigning champion), Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas. However, anything can happen and the scenarios, from today on, can change every day.
The first European in the "season points" is the English Justine Rose, seventh, thanks to the victory in a major, the US Open; the Swede Henrik Stenson is also at the top, ninth, ahead of many noble Americans, although he doesn't boast any first place in the States, but only a series of excellent placings. Rory McIlroy, great protagonist of the 2012 season, starts from 49th position this year and must play well from the first round if he wants to go on.
As for "the rest of the world", the most likely candidate is the Australian Adam Scott, Masters Champion 2013, currently number 11 of Fedex.
There are no Italians on the pitch, as the Azzurri are not currently taking part in the US tour on a permanent basis. However, there is good news for Italian golf: Matteo Manassero will in fact represent Italy at the World Cup in Australia in November. The "Italian prodigy", as he is defined by foreign newspapers, can't wait to try to emulate the Molinari brothers who, in 2009, conquered the coveted title.
Among other things, Francesco Molinari is back on track today in Scotland, for the tournament scheduled for the European Tour: the Johnnie Walker Championship, at Gleneagles. On this path, the champion from Turin holds the record of 4 top ten out of seven tournaments played.
