Well, the end of the PGA Tour season is upon us.  The four Major Championships are behind us, and that means that all that is left is the FedEx Cup Playoffs.  The three-event playoff series will feature events at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, Medinah Golf Club in Chicago, and the finale being held at its usual location in Atlanta at East Lake Golf Club.  125 players will enter the playoffs, with cuts at 70 and 30 after the first two events.  The winning prize?  A $10 million payday for being the points leader when it is all said and done.  Oh yeah, and a cool million and a half extra if you win the finale.

The format for the FedEx Cup Playoffs has changed this year, so now, if you win at East Lake, you win the Cup.  With that, here are my gambling picks to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the start of the first event, the Northern Trust Open!

Leaders (Rank 1 – 10 entering Playoffs)

Brooks Koepka – Rank: 1

Here we go again, Tommy picking a favorite.  It hasn’t been so successful (thanks a lot Rory).  But can you really pick against Koekpa?  He’s playing better golf than anyone in the world.  Sure, he ONLY won one Major this year.  But he’s also been there on Sunday for every one.  When there’s either a big title, like a Major or WGC event on the line, or there’s a huge wad of cash like the FedEx Cup, Koepka shows up.  I’m going with him this year.

Jon Rahm – Rank: 10 

Rahm has one win but ten top 10s this season.  That’s good enough for second, only behind McIlroy.  Rahm had a big win at the Irish Open, two Top 10’s in Majors (with an 11th place finish in a third one), and he’s seemed to have kept his temper under control.  He’s been near the top of leaderboards all year long, and I expect that to continue, putting him in position to win come East Lake.

Contenders (Rank 11 – 50)

Tommy Fleetwood – Rank: 19

When is Golf Jesus going to break through? He’s been right there near the top at the Majors the last few years, and each time he comes up just short (including 2nd at this year’s Open Championship).  The fact of the matter is, Tommy Fleetwood is one of the most solid players out there, and he’s pretty damn consistent.  He’s got a great all around game, being top 50 in every Strokes Gained statistic on Tour.  I think he could make a charge over the next few weeks, and make a push for the Top 5 walking into Atlanta.

Hideki Matsuyama – Rank: 30

Hideki is another guy that’s come close so many times, but hasn’t quite come through.  He also hasn’t had the best year in 2019 to say the least, not picking up any wins.  Statistically, he’s still been solid.  He’s top 25 in every strokes gained stat this year, minus putting.  Should his putter get hot, like it has in the past, he could definitely make a move to set himself up with a chance to win in a few weeks.

Needs Some Help (Rank 51 – 125)

All of the players in this group are going to need some help to make it to the FedEx Cup Finale, let alone win the whole thing.  With that, here are the guys I think have the best chance to make the Finale.

Jordan Spieth – Rank: 69

Spieth has struggled this year.  There’s no doubt about it.  He’s lost his putting stroke for the most part, and has struggled just about everywhere.  But, we’ve also seen some moments of the Spieth of old.  Moments of brilliance.  And if he can get his putter going again to even a shadow of his former self, this former FedEx Cup Champion could not only make it to East Lake, but make a dash towards the title.  If he’s going to do so, he’s going to need some help from the leaders in front of him.

Matthew Wolff – Rank: 70

I get it, he’s a rookie, he’s got a funky swing, blah blah blah.  Look, Matt Wolff is friggen solid.  The kid can flat out play golf.  He only has six starts on Tour this year, so he doesn’t have enough rounds to be ranked in any statistical categories at this point, but it’s clear the kid has game.  He can hang with anyone out there.  He’s already got a win this year, and jumping to 70th in the FedEx Cup in only six events is nuts.  Look for him to make moves up the rankings as the playoffs keep on rolling.

Well, there you have it folks.  My Not So Expert Picks for this year’s FedEx Cup playoffs.  The long shots are going to need a ton of help to even have a chance, but hey, never say never.  Keep your eyes out for follow up posts in the coming weeks as the playoffs go on!  And as always, good luck!

Full and up to date FedEx Cup Rankings can be found here.