The battle for the money title has made the final official week on the PGA Tour worth paying attention to for a change.
The final week is generally a battle of the also-rans on the PGA Tour who are scrambling to finish inside the top 125 on the money list and retain their playing privileges for the next season.
But the kings of the mountain – Webb Simpson and Luke Donald – are both playing in this week’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic outside Orlando in an attempt to capture the money title.
The tournament’s $4.7 million purse is one of the smallest on tour this year, yet it will be the deciding factor in the money title chase.
Simpson lost in a playoff to Ben Crane in last week’s $4 million McGladrey Classic to take over the lead by $363,029 with more than $6.2 million earned. Donald wasn’t playing last week, but is in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic for the first time in eight years.
Donald is the No. 1 player in the world and has a chance to make history as the first dual member of the PGA and European tours to top both money lists in the same season.
On Friday he Tweeted: “There was never really a decision to be made, I have a chance of making history. See you all at Disney next week.” He added: “Bring it on.”
Donald needs to finish no worse than a two-way tie for second to even have a chance to catch Simpson. That would be worth $413.600.
Hopefully Donald plays well enough to carry the drama over to Sunday. Based on his incredibly consistent play this year, there’s no reason to believe he won’t, giving us something to watch in addition to those attempting to finish inside the top 125.
The PGA Tour has added to the intrigue by pairing Donald and Simpson in the first two rounds. They play at 8:20 a.m. Thursday on the Palm Course and 12:20 p.m. Friday on the Magnolia Course.
