Golf: Stars eye big finish in FedEx Cup playoffs

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FedEx Cup points leader Hideki Matsuyama is anything but complacent heading into the US PGA Tour playoffs with major winners Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on his heels.

"It has been a really good season, great season for me," said Matsuyama, whose three tour wins this season include two World Golf Championships titles. He was again unable to break through for a first major title.

Hideki Matsuyama /Photo via CBS sports

Winning the FedEx Cup – and the 10 million US dollars bonus that comes with it would be some consolation for that major disappointment, but Matsuyama said he's going into the Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York, focused on his game – not the standings.

"It really just begins now, because unless I play well in the next four events, I'm not going to be the FedEx Cup Champion," Matsuyama said.

The series will culminate with the Tour Championship in September, with the top five in the standings able to claim the bonus with a win in the season finale.

Matsuyama, Thomas and Spieth are separated by just 198 points atop the playoff points standings, with world number one Dustin Johnson in fourth.

Justin Thomas /Photo via Getty Images

Thomas, who captured his first major title at the PGA Championship two weeks ago, is also looking ahead rather than back.

In addition to his major breakthrough, Thomas had wins at the CIMB Classic, the Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open. Playoff success would no doubt cement his status as Player of the Year.

"I'd much rather hear you say that four events later than probably now," said Thomas, who knows his good buddy Spieth also has a good chance at the prestigious award.

Jordan Spieth /Photo via Golf Channel

In addition to the British Open, Spieth won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Travelers Championship this season. "The playoffs are very important, this year," Spieth said of the weight the post-season could carry in the Player of the Year chase.

"It's a close race right now. I think it's between four guys, in my opinion. So it's a fight and it's something that is keeping me going out and grinding at the end of a really good season."

Source(s): AFP