August 29, 2008–There are several Las Vegas golfers in the field of this week's Deutsche Bank Championship FedEx Cup PGA Tour Playoffs event, and every one of them better hit on all cylinders if they want to keep advancing as the stakes go higher. PGATOUR.com Chief Correspondent Helen Ross filed a report on the chances of each of the players in the field, including those with Vegas ties. Most compelling was the following about Adam Scott, the former UNLV All-American and one of the best players in the world (at least until very recently). Scott went from 24th in the standings to 47th after missing the cut last week. Ross wrote: "An 82 in the second round last week brought a second straight cut — maybe former success at TPC Boston will turn things around." LIVE SCORING.
Scott has had a tough year due to injuries and sicknesses, but still has high hopes for this week. He claimed his first PGA Tour title at this event in 2003, and then followed that up with a runner-up finish in 2004. Earlier this week, he told the media the following about the state of his game heading into the tournament.
"It's pretty ordinary, actually, to be honest with you (smiling)," said Scott. "It's a bit erratic. I've been working hard on my swing but just struggling to put it together. You know, some days have been good and my golf has been inconsistent, as you can see by my scores the last few weeks. But just trying to work through it and hopefully put together a good week, good four days this week."
Click now to view the complete Adam Scott press conference transcript. Scott works with Las Vegas pro Butch Harmon.
The PGA Tour news is sponsored by TPC Las Vegas, one of two PGA Tour-owned Las Vegas golf courses.
Another former Rebel, Chad Campbell, is standing strong at number 21. About Campbell's chances this week, Ross wrote: "Last week's tie for 65th could have been better had it not been for a closing 76, but it still produced a little movement for the quiet Texan."
Even with the 65th-place finish Campbell moved up two spots.
Las Vegas resident Dean Wilson jumped from 70th to 45th in one week, and Ross seems to like his chances of continued higher movement.
"He's playing well with two ties for third last month," she wrote.
Tommy Armour III, who grew up in Las Vegas, missed the cut and went from 48th to 75th. Ross thinks his great play earlier this year might not carry over to this week.
"He had a nice run of five top-10s in 10 starts, but he's fading with missed cuts in his last two starts."
Charley Hoffman is a current resident and former All-American at UNLV, and he made a solid move from 105th to 77th. Of Hoffman, Ross wrote: "Nine of his last 16 rounds have been in the 60s, but this is do-or-die time."
Las Vegas resident and pupil of Butch Harmon, Nick Watney, jumped from 111th to 83rd, but still has a lot of work to do. "He needs to move forward after three missed cuts in his last five starts."
And resident and former 4-time UNLV All-American Ryan Moore is hurting after falling from 73rd to 98th. "Five missed cuts in his last seven starts, including at The Barclays, have the promising twenty-something losing ground."
If our math is correct about the confusing FedEx Cup format, the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings advance to next week's BMW Championship.