FedEx Cup 2012: Bold Predictions for Golf's Playoff

The FedEx Cup is underway, and the fate of golf's playoff has revealed itself to me. If you are into surprises and golf, you may want to stop reading. 

This playoff system has yet to really capture the imagination of the public, and maybe it never will. It is going to be hard for this event to not feel anti-climactic after the four majors have already been played. 

Either way, there is still plenty of fantastic golf to be played in this playoff. Here is how I see it playing out. 

Tiger Woods Will Struggle

For a golfer not named Tiger Woods, the world's former No. 1 has had a solid season. He has three wins, six top 10s and 10 top 25s in his 15 PGA events this year.

But he is not going to finish on a high note. Tiger has been up and down with his putter the last couple of seasons, and he is slumping with it now. 

On Saturday at the Barclays, for the first time in his professional career, Woods three-putted four times in one round. Yes, the greens at Bethpage Black were insanely fast that day, but Woods was just lost with the flat stick. 

That followed with him into Sunday, and it is not going to go away in time for him to make any real noise in this tournament. 

Luke Donald Will Win

It's not a major, but it will be a step in the right direction for Donald, the former world No. 1 and current No. 2. Donald is a serious contender for the "best player to have never won a major" tag. 

The playoff format is custom made for Donald's stunning consistency. He has missed just one cut all season, the U.S. Open, and he lives around the top ten. 

Case in point; at the Barclays, the first event of the FedEx Cup, Donald finished tied for tenth. 

Donald's heady and accurate play will keep him near the top of the leaderboard, and ultimately, it will earn him the FedEx Cup championship. 

It will also lead to the following. 

Rory McIlroy Will Lose His No. 1 Ranking

Rory McIlroy is clearly the best golfer on the planet right now, but he certainly isn't the most consistent. 

When McIlroy catches fire, no one can beat him. However, that fire appears to be winding down a bit following his remarkable runaway win at the PGA Championship. 

McIlroy finished Barclays tied for 24th at 1-under. This is not a bad showing, it just likely isn't going to get much better. 

At this point of his career, McIlroy's focus needs to be geared toward winning majors. With the major season having already passed, it will be hard for him to keep his edge. This will leave the door open enough for Donald to take back the top spot in the rankings.