Pirate Galaxy » nothing to lose. Jackson is relying on a ph

1. Dreaming of an altered playoff systemNow in its 10th year, the FedEx Cup playoffs have been the source of considerable discussion -- and sometimes derision. Whether its the points formula or the overall format or all manner of other aspects, the four-tournament playoff system to end the season is such that there are no shortage of better ways to conduct what is a season-ending financial boon to the players.Heres another idea: reduce the playoffs from four events to three.With the end to its second contract with Federal Express coming at the end of the 2017 season, now is the time for the PGA Tour to make a change that would enhance the competition and allow for more scheduling flexibility.In this case, less is more, and it can be accomplished because of Deutsche Banks exit as a title sponsor of the just-completed event won by Rory McIlroy at TPC Boston on Monday. The tour announced last week at EMC Corporation would take over as the title in 2017, but did not say the length of the sponsorship.When asked, PGA Tour vice president Ty Votaw said we have not commented on the duration of the EMC agreement other than it is certainly good through 2017.That suggests the deal is for just one year with hopes of extending it. That is what the tour does; it attempts to extract maximum sponsorship dollars and offer playing opportunities, especially lucrative ones, to its members. If so, then having just three playoff events is not in the plans, although Votaw did say that we have been extremely pleased with how a four-event FedEx Cup playoff has performed over the past 10 years, but like we have done every year since its inception we will continue to examine all aspects of the structure after this years playoffs are completed.The tour is in the midst of negotiating to extend its agreement with FedEx beyond next year, one that has paid $35 million in bonus money to the players -- including $10 million to the winner -- dating to 2007.2. Why it would be betterHaving three playoff events -- presumably the Barclays, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship -- would create more urgency and drama. Four events -- especially in years when there is no off week -- often seems too long. While the players are never going to turn their backs on $8.5-million purses, many of those same players often complain about running out of energy at this time of year.A three-tournament playoff would give the tour the opportunity to create some space between the PGA Championship and the start of the playoffs. If it went to just 100 players qualifying for the first event, those last regular events on the PGA Tour scheduling would have even more meaning. And perhaps this forces players to compete earlier in the season to accrue points.As it is now, there are typically a handful of players who sit out at least one of the tournaments. Sergio Garcia was among the no-shows at the Barclays and has skipped at least one playoff event several times. Henrik Stenson is taking off the BMW this week to rest his knee. With just three tournaments, perfect attendance is more likely. Perhaps the points structure could be tweaked again to make skipping prohibitive, with a swifter run to the overall champion.3. What about Boston?This is not to suggest that the Deutsche Bank Championship -- which dates to 2003 -- should be scrapped. If EMC wants to stay on as a title sponsor beyond 2017, why not make it a big-money event the week prior to the playoffs? A last chance to keep a card (top 125), make the playoffs (top 100) or enhance the overall FedEx Cup chances? In this scenario, no off week would be needed during the playoffs which means the tour could elect to move up the end to its season or play two more events -- as opposed to just one -- following the PGA Championship.4. Bye-bye Bubba?Could the seventh-ranked player in the world be left off the U.S. Ryder Cup team? Given his recent form, Bubba Watsons chances at an at-large selection should be anything but a given.Since winning at Riviera and finishing second at Doral in early March, Watson has just two top-10s -- both were eighth-place finishes, one at a European Tour event in China following the Masters, the other at the Olympic Golf Tournament. Watson has not been awful -- his only missed cut came at the Deutsche Bank Championship, although that is definitely awful timing.Another troubling factor for Watson: he is just 3-8 in his three Ryder Cup appearances and is 0-3 in singles.5. And Furyk, tooJim Furyk was gaining traction as a possible at-large pick for Davis?Love III, even though he is 46, in possession of a poor Ryder Cup record and missed a good part of this year due to injury. But thats the point: since returning, Furyk has been solid, if not spectacular. He finished second at the U.S. Open. He had that 58 at the Travelers Championship. Hes got experience, and the respect of his teammates. Hes a vice captain and will someday be a Ryder Cup captain.All of that fit into the argument for Love to pick him. He still might do so when the first three picks are announced on Monday. But by not making it to this weeks BMW Championship, Furyk has severely hurt his chances. At least it would seem that way.Part of the reason for pushing the picks back this late -- the latest theyve ever been -- is to allow players more time to impress. Its tough to do that when youre not playing.6. Bowdo the comedianIt has been a rough year for Aussie Steven Bowditch, who has two PGA Tour victories, including the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson. But this year was more or less a disaster, as Bowditch missed 14 cuts in 21 worldwide starts -- including his last five in a row. From 72nd in the world at the end of last year, Bowditch has dropped to 166th. Yet, his sense of humor has remained intact as he tries to sort out the issues.?7. Wheres Beef?In Cleveland, of all places. Englands Andrew Beef Johnston was a surprise entrant in the first of four Web.com Tour Finals events, this weeks DAP Championship at Canterbury Golf Club.Johnston, who won his first European Tour event earlier this year and became a gallery favorite at The Open at Royal Troon, is eligible because he finished among the top 125 to 200 on the PGA Tours FedEx points list as a non-member.The Englishman can earn PGA Tour status out of the Web.com Tour category for the 2016-17 season if he finishes among the top 25 players (not already exempt) who compete in the four-tournament series.Johnston, who won Garcias event in Spain, finished eighth at The Open and is coming off a third-place finish last week in Switzerland.The Web.com Finals begin this week and continue next week in Boise, Idaho, before heading to Columbus, Ohio. The Web.com Tour Championship is Oct. 6-9.8. Phils Vardon questPhil Mickelson has never won the Vardon Trophy, given to the player with the PGA Tours lowest adjusted scoring average. As great as Mickelson has been, it is odd that he has never had this distinction -- just as it is that hes never won the money title or been ranked No. 1 in the world. Tiger Woods has won the Vardon Trophy nine times, most recently in 2013. Jordan Spieth took the honor last year.Mickelson was leading the race -- until he shot rounds of 75-72 at the Deutsche Bank Championship and missed the cut. But its still a tight race.Mickelson dropped to third (69.384) behind Jason Day (69.260) and Dustin Johnson (69.268) with two events to go.9. Tigers returnOnce again, Tigerwoods.com had the big scoop.?Danny Shelton Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Curtis Martin Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/521p-gino-cappelletti-jersey-patriots.html . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. James White Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Jermaine Eluemunor Jersey . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Forgive the San Antonio Spurs if they arent that excited about holding a 3-2 series lead over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals. After all, theyve been ahead twice before. If the Spurs want to close out the Warriors in Game 6 on Thursday night at rowdy Oracle Arena, theyll have to do what neither team has in this series: win consecutive games. Golden State also is 4-0 after a loss in the playoffs. "Nobody talks about getting this over with like youve got a rash," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Like you can take a pill or put some cream on it, its going to be gone. This is a war. Theyre a class team. They bust their (butts) at both ends of the floor. Its not about getting rid of anything. Its about going and playing and thats about it." San Antonio has increasingly shown its veteran savvy the last three games, and Golden State has looked like its finally wearing down from all its injuries. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the rest of the Spurs overwhelmed the Warriors in Tuesday nights 109-91 win in San Antonio. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson -- described by Coach Mark Jackson as the "greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history" -- combined to score just 13 points on 6-of-22 shooting. Curry has refused to use the left ankle he sprained late in Game 3 as an excuse, but anybody who has watched can clearly see he has been slowed by the injury. Thompson, who failed to even attempt a 3-pointer for the first time all season Tuesday, has been shut down by San Antonio since scoring 34 points in Game 2. Neither Curry nor Thompson was made available to speak to reporters during the teams light shootaround Wednesday in Oakland. The rest of the Warriors insist theyre not worried about the "Splash Brothers" or the teams ability to respond. "Were never going to quit. Were never going to die. Weve got a lot of fight left. This isnt the end," Warriors forward Carl Landry said. "Actually, were excited about having the opportunity to play in a Game 6. Everybody in that locker room is excited and ready." The odds are not in Golden States favour. Teams that have won Game 5 of a best-of-seven series that was tied have gone on to win the series 88 out of 99 times. However, those teams are 50-49 in Game 6. The Spurs have won 11 of 12 best-of-seven series when leading 3-2. The last time the Warriors came back from a 3-2 deficit was against the Chicago Bulls in the 1975 Western Conference finals, when the franchise went on to win its only NBA title.dddddddddddd Despite all the doubt, Golden State has overcome every obstacle it has faced this season -- from forward Brandon Rushs season-ending left knee injury in the home opener to centre Andrew Boguts sore left ankle throughout the year to All-Star forward David Lees hip injury in the first round against Denver. "We are our habits and we have a tight-knit group that is able to make adjustments, own it when they dont play well and bounce back," Jackson said. "I have no doubt that will take place again." The Spurs are getting production from others besides Parker and Duncan, and that might be the biggest turnaround in a series that has been full of them. The length of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green has bothered Curry and Thompson. Duncan and Tiago Splitter have put Bogut in foul trouble in two straight games, and San Antonios team defence has displayed the "maniacal" effort that Popovich has preached in leading the franchise to four NBA titles. "Thats how its supposed to be," said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who is starting to find success as a facilitator with his shot not falling. "We are not a team thats going to have somebody scoring 40 every game that we can rely on. We need everybody to contribute because we are not the most talented team in the league, so we need a contribution from everybody." Standing in the way of a second straight Western Conference finals appearance for San Antonio is a gritty Golden State team that has nothing to lose. Jackson is relying on a phrase he has repeated since the playoffs started: few people expected the Warriors to be a serious contender in the preseason, so theres no pressure on his players, who echoed those sentiments. For a franchise that has made the playoffs just twice since 1994, the Warriors are relishing the opportunity to push the conference semifinals to a decisive Game 7, which would be in San Antonio on Sunday. "Its almost like an NCAA tournament game," Landry said. "We just have to go out there and never take any possessions off. After the game, we shouldnt have anything left. We shouldnt even be able to walk to our cars. Everything should be left out on the floor." ' ' '