John Senden is ready to surprise the golf world and make a huge play for the lucrative FedEx Cup.
Quietly humming under the radar, Senden enters the US PGA Tour Championship in 17th place on the season long points list and while he knows winning the FedEx Cup and the $US10 million bonus will be tough he’s not shirking from the challenge.
The Queenslander has had a bumper year, winning in Tampa and contending at the Masters, giving him the necessary confidence of a surprise attack at East Lake Golf Club.
“I have played well here before and it is a pretty good opportunity when there are only 29 players in the field,” Senden said.
“The course suits me so now it is about going out and playing my best and giving myself a chance.
“Anyone can win it all and the goal is to win this tournament and then see what happens.”
For Senden to win all the marbles he must win the tournament first before having other scenarios go his way.
Points leader Chris Kirk must finish in a three-way tie for 10th or worse, No.2 Billy Horschel (three way T4th or worse), No.3 Bubba Watson (three way T3rd or worse, No.4 Rory McIlroy (3rd or worse) and No.5 Hunter Mahan (T2nd or worse) for a victorious Senden to claim the enormous payout.
But Senden witnessed first hand in 2011 when Bill Haas won it all from even further down the points list in 25th.
“I’ve been sneaking up with my momentum going in the right direction and I just need to keep continuing to improve,” he said.
“Patience has been the big thing. Everything is going to build towards the big climax on Sunday and you have to be ready to keep calm and get it done.
“In the past I have been under pressure just to get here so I kind of ran out of steam but I’m coming in fresher this time and looking forward to it.”
While Jason Day (10th) and Adam Scott (12th) are above Senden, Geoff Ogilvy is in the Haas position of 25th, perhaps a good omen for the Victorian who is in the middle of a career resurrection following some lean years.
Having already achieved a return to the Masters for the first time since 2011 and also locking up a spot in the US and British Opens by making the field, Ogilvy feels he’s already won.
“I was accustomed to having the major championship schedule and I took it for granted to be honest,” he said.
“But the next few months will be nice as I can decompress and set my schedule around the Masters and also playing St Andrews.
“I’m a little tired after a big few months but am looking forward to competing this week.”
