Monday, September 10, 2007

Phil Mickelson could win the Tour Championship and lose the FedEx Cup to Tiger Woods

Suppose Mickelson wins and Woods comes second
With the way the points are set up Phil loses the Fedex Cup
Phil points: 108613 Phil wins @ Tour Championship: 10300. Total: 118913
Tiger points: 112733 Tiger 2nd @ TC: 6200. Total: 118933 Tiger wins FC
But if the points were properly rounded(*) Phil wins the Fedex Cup
Phil points: 108613 Phil wins @ TC: 10350*. Total: 118963 Phil wins FC
Tiger points 112733 Tiger 2nd @ TC: 6210*. Total: 118943
* The points for the first 3 Playoffs were upped by 15% for the Tour Championship
9000 Playoff win + 15% = 10350. But 10300 FC Points awarded
5400 Playoff 2nd + 15% = 6210. But 6200 FC Points awarded
This represents a swing of 40 points away from the first bonus prize of $10M
A huge deal for a rounding error