Brian Hewitt for Global Golf Post
As tune-ups go, playing for $10 million is nice work if you can get it.
Tennessee’s Brandt Snedeker, who will make his Ryder Cup debut this week, got it all Sunday in Atlanta.
By winning The Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup at historic East Lake, Snedeker bagged a cool $10 million in season-ending playoff dollars along with $1.44 million more for winning the tournament proper. All of which makes him one rich, ready Ryder rookie.
And all of which makes U.S. captain Davis Love III’s grin wider than the first fairway at the Old Course.
“I had complete confidence in what I was doing,” Snedeker said, moments after closing with a 2-under 68, three ahead of runner-up Justin Rose.
So, too, did American skipper Love, who raised more than a few eyebrows earlier this month when he made Snedeker one of his captain’s picks.
So, it’s on to Chicago and the Ryder Cup where the plot will thicken and the pace will quicken in the always-charged matches that begin Friday at Medinah No. 3. Thirteen of the players who finished T15 or better at East Lake will be playing in this Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods wound up second and third, respectively, in the final FedEx standings. Both paid a steep price for driving it all over Atlanta all weekend.
One last thought in advance, Medinah: The 15th hole has been shortened and is now a perfectly situated drivable par 4 for match play. Expect fireworks there.
And don’t be surprised if red-hot Brandt Snedeker is the one who lights the fuse.
PHOTO: Reuters