Tour Championship

Fantasy Fix

We discuss the player of the year race, American Idol auditions, sports jinxes, and of course, this week's PGA Tour stop

Everyone in the field at East Lake this week is trying to catch Webb Simpson.

Tour Championship

Where: Atlanta, Ga.

Course: East Lake GC

Defending champion: Jim Furyk held off Luke Donald to win the tournament and the FedEx Cup by getting up-and-down out of a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole.

Purse: $8,000,000

This Week's Fix Six

1. Luke Donald
2. Matt Kuchar
3. Nick Watney
4. Jason Day
5. Adam Scott
6. Webb Simpson

By Alex Myers

Follow on Twitter: @AlexMyers3

Photo by Getty Images

September 20, 2011

Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Fix, where we can only hope Justin Rose doesn't win again this week. Nothing against the affable Englishman, but we just can't take another round of cheesy wordplay on his last name. Moving on, this will be the final fantasy installment of the year. I know how devastating that news must be to some and I wish I could be there in person to help get you through this tearful goodbye with a hug. But let's put the tissues away, pull ourselves together and finish strong.

ON TAP

The FedEx Cup playoffs wrap up with the Tour Championship at East Lake GC in Atlanta. Only the top 30 players on the PGA Tour will tee it up. Well, more like the top 20 players from the whole season and about 10 guys who happened to play well in one of the post-season events.

Random tournament fact: East Lake is one of the few courses that ends with a par 3. The over/under for Johnny Miller and the rest of the NBC crew mentioning that fact during the weekend project should be placed at about 247.5.

THE DEFENDER

Jim Furyk. The Grinder has a great chance to take the title again on a course where he is very comfortable, even in the pouring rain. Oh wait, we forgot about that pesky rule in which you have to be in the top 30 to qualify... Amazingly, Furyk's absence keeps alive an odd trend. Not only have the four previous winners of the FedEx Cup not defended their title, they haven't even had a chance to at the season's final big event. In other words, whoever comes away with the trophy this week might want to watch his step as he gets back into his courtesy car.

STUD OF THE WEEK

Luke Donald. Last week he spotted Justin Rose 12 shots on Day 1 and still found himself in contention on Sunday. Last year he nearly won this event, falling to Furyk by a shot. Bottom line, he's been the best player in the world all year and a second victory would give him the FedEx Cup title and should wrap up the PGA Tour's Player of the Year Award.

JUST BECAUSE PICKS

Nick Watney and Webb Simpson. Other than Donald, these two have had the most consistent seasons and like Luke, a win here should wrap up the POY award. Watney has been struggling of late, with just one top 10 in his last six events, but he finished T-4 in this event last year with rounds of 63 and 67 over the weekend. Simpson, the FedEx Cup points leader, has been struggling a little as well. He only finished fifth last week.

AMERICAN IDOL AUDITIONS

As suggested in Golf World Monday, this week could essentially be viewed as a tryout for Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas, who are both looking to be U.S. Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples' final pick for the team. But don't forget about Keegan Bradley, who put on quite a show of his own the last time he was in the Atlanta area to impress the judges. Speaking of which, Freddie seems like he would fit into the Randy Jackson mold of judges. For some reason, I can hear him saying "your performance was a little pitchy, but you're still my dawg." All of these guys have flaws, but Couples will have to choose one. After watching all of them struggle under pressure last week, he might wish he could put it to an audience vote.

FAN MAIL BREAK

"Hey, Alex. Thanks for keeping me entertained all year with the column. You should do one for the Champions Tour next year. Anyway, who should I make as my last captain's pick for the Presidents Cup? Take care, Freddie."

While I appreciate Couples seeking my expert opinion, I must decline due to my Wake Forest bias. But I will give our captain a bit of advice: make sure you toss those rainsuits Corey Pavin left on your doorstep. OK, so Freddie really didn't write, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't, even in the off-season. Contrary to what my boss probably thinks, I don't go on vacation until the PGA Tour really gets cranking again in January. Please feel free to email me with comments, questions or just to make fun of my picks. And of course, you can follow me on Twitter.