Sam Greenwood(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)For a host of golf fans, the season effectively ends with the conclusion of the PGA Championship. Which is a shame; over the past decade, the FedEx Cup has presented itself as an estimable bridge from the Wanamaker Trophy to the fall season. And though football's beginning and baseball's playoff races compete for attention, as we saw last year with Rory McIlroy's astonishing run, golf's postseason can pack plenty of punch.
As the FedEx Cup kicks off at Glen Oaks this week, here are five storylines to watch during the 2017 playoffs.
Can Speith vs. Thomas become a legitimate rivalry?
Even in the shadow of Justin Thomas' magnificent early season run, this conversation—the conversation being, “Has Thomas surpassed Spieth as the better player?”—was premature. Following Spieth's response—three wins, including a major title—this discussion went out of style faster than frosted tips.
And yet, thanks to his triumph ..

David CannonCHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 13: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan reacts by throwing his putter as he just misses a short par putt on the par 4, 16th hole during the final round of the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on August 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — Imagine if Hideki Matsuyama ever finds “The One”? No, not in terms of love. The private Japanese star recently revealed he's married and has a baby girl. “The one” in terms of a putter, that is.
Matsuyama's reputation has always been that of a tremendous ball-striker, but a terrible putter. But even during a recent stretch of sizzling golf — and improved play on the greens — the World No. 3 isn't any closer to committing to a flat stick.
“I wish I knew which putter I was going to use. That's why I have five,” said Matsuyama, drawing laughter at his Tuesday press conference ahead of this week's Northern Trust.
Five putters? Ha! That&#039..

Last October, the PGA Tour season kicked off in California at the Safeway Open, where Brendan Steele earned the first victory of the season. Ten months, four majors, four World Golf Championships and 35 PGA Tour events later we've reached the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the final four events of the season. The top-125 in the FedEx Cup standings take on a new challenge this year, Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, N.Y., which is hosting its first Northern Trust, formerly known as The Barclays.
Over $8 million is up for grabs this week, as well as quadruple the FedEx Cup points players would normally receive in a regular season event. Hideki Matsuyama comes in at the top of the standings, but close behind are the top players in the world, including Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson. Defending FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy is also in the field this week, as well as defending Northern Trust winner Patrick Reed.
TV Coverage
The Golf Channel will carry live coverage on Thursday and..

FacebookPinterestRobert LabergeU.S. Amateur champion Doc Redman hits a tee shot on the first hole at the the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Los Angeles is a town defined by stars and the stages on which they perform. It has the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys, the Super Bowl, Rose Bowl and Hollywood Bowl. Go big or go home, as they say.
This is the underlying principle that animates Michael Yamaki, a prominent criminal defense lawyer and power broker in Los Angeles sports.
“Los Angeles is a town that only comes out for the big events,” Yamaki, a board member of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, said here last week. “But it’s got to be the main event. When it comes to the big events we can showcase and do it better than anyone else.”
So it is that Yamaki, who runs Riviera Country Club as its corporate officer , is determined to host championships and competitions commensurate with th..

Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThere was a giddiness to J.J. Henry’s voice on Monday night. “Glad to be in the state of New York!” he yelped over the phone, his spot in the PGA Tour’s first FedEx Cup Playoff event, The Northern Trust out on Long Island, secure. “Livin’ on the edge. I couldn’t sleep last night. I was wired.”
Henry is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour and played in a Ryder Cup. This wasn’t far off when it came to the high the 42-year-old was feeling after birdieing two of his last three holes at the Wyndham Championship to sneak into the Playoffs on the number, Mr. 125.
“It’s a huge monkey off back,” Henry said. “I’ve been thinking about it for months. I never wanted to be in this position, but it’s nice to know when I had to play my ass off with no margin for error that I did it.
“It’s a whole different scenario playing for your job.”
In truth, Henry, given the upcoming Web.com Finals not to mention his veteran status, would have likely gotten plenty of starts next year on th..

Ross KinnairdTiger Woods and ex-girlfriend Lindsey Vonn are contemplating legal action against a tabloid website after the publication released nude photos of the former couple, according to multiple reports.
Vonn, an Olympic skier who dated Woods for three years, was a victim of a phone hack, which is believed to be the conduit for how the site obtained the pictures.
“It is an outrageous and despicable invasion of privacy for anyone to steal and illegally publish private intimate photos,” a spokesperson for Vonn said to People.
Woods' lawyer, Michael Holtz, has threatened to sue the site if the photos aren't removed, according to multiple reports. When contacted by Golf Digest, Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, referred to this as a personal matter and that he and the golfer had no comment.
This is the latest incident in a forgettable summer for Woods, who was arrested in May for driving under the influence.
“As I previously said, I received professional help to manage my medica..