Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson hit from wrong tee at Hero World Challenge

Matt Kuchar continued his stellar play in Hawaii with a bogey-free 66 on Saturday to take a 2-shot lead into the final round. He’s looking for his second win of the season after winning the Mayakoba Classic in November. Andrew Putnam shot 67 and sits in solo second at 16 under. Bryson DeChambeau made the biggest charge of the day, shooting 63 and moving 30 spots up the leaderboard. He’s tied for fifth and seven shots behind.  Can Kuchar hang on for another victory or will someone from the pack make a charge?  Here’s everything you need to know to follow the fourth round from Honolulu. Round 4 tee times Round 4 leaderboard HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN (ALL TIMES ET) TELEVISION: Saturday, 6-10:00 p.m. (GC) RADIO: Saturday, 5-10:00 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.COM). NOTABLE PAIRINGS (ALL TIMES ET) 5:20 PM: Matt Kuchar, Andrew Putnam, Keith Mitchell 5:10 PM: Chez Reavie, Bryson DeChambeau, Corey Connors 5:00 PM: Davis Love III, Charles Howell III, Dominic Bozzelli   MUST READS Kuchar braces for the chasing pack Cink looking to end drought

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THE OVERVIEW Bill Haas is the poster boy for Hail Mary FedExCup champs. When he won in 2011, he entered the TOUR Championship that week ranked 25th in points. None of the other nine FedExCup champs were ranked lower than 11th. All the scenarios fell into place for Haas that week. The miracle occurred. Will it happen again this week at East Lake? Seems unlikely. Consider this: Of the top eight players in FedExCup points, three already have won in these Playoffs (Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Marc Leishman); three have finished top-10 in every event (Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose); and the other two are ranked among the world’s top seven players (Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler). It’s doubtful all eight will fall far enough to allow a longshot to swoop in and claim the FedExCup. If No. 6 Rory McIlroy had not won a sudden-death playoff last year, then the FedExCup would’ve gone to top-ranked Dustin Johnson. Johnson tied for sixth in the tournament, which would’ve been good enough to deny the other two sudden-death participants (No. 14 Ryan Moore and No. 15 Kevin Chappell) the FedExCup even if either one had won the TOUR Championship. Spieth is No. 1 in points this week and wouldn’t be surprised if the same scenario plays out this Sunday. “I think there’s a likelihood that I’ll be in that situation this year,â€� Spieth said. “I’m not sure. I don’t know who the Rory will be.â€� If there is a longshot FedExCup winner, who are the most likely candidates? Consider these three names: No. 19 Kevin Chappell – He’s talked about the unfinished business he has at East Lake after losing the playoff. He doesn’t have to answer any more questions about playing his way onto the U.S. Presidents Cup team (which he did at TPC Boston). He’s in solid form. And based on his four rounds at East Lake, the course seems to fit his game (two rounds of 66, two rounds of 68). No. 25 Sergio Garcia – His credentials speak for themselves, of course. Has just one top-10 since his Masters win, but he did play well (T12) last week at Conway Farms. Well-familiar with East Lake; this is his ninth appearance at the course. Although he’s never won, he finished solo second in 2008. Having sat out the first Playoffs event, he theoretically should be fresher than anybody else in the field. No. 29 Patrick Cantlay – Amazing effort this season to reach the TOUR Championship in just 12 starts. One of just two TOUR rookies in the field (along with Xander Schauffele). Has been playing his most consistent golf of the season in these Playoffs, finishing T13 or better in each of the three events. Oh, and one other thing about Cantlay – he’s one of eight players in the field making their first start at the TOUR Championship. On two previous occasions in the FedExCup era – and four times since 2003 — a first-timer has won the TOUR Championship. One of those was the miracle boy, Bill Haas. THREE PLAYERS TO PONDER 1. Jordan Spieth Displaying much better form entering this year’s event than he did in 2015; that’s bad news for the rest of the field. 2. Marc Leishman Billy Horschel showed in 2014 that the FedExCup can be won with a hot streak. Is Leishman following that same gameplan? 3. Justin Rose Only golfer in the world with the opportunity to complete this unique career trifecta: Major win, Olympic gold, FedExCup. THE FLYOVER The nines were flipped for the first time last year, allowing players to end their rounds on a 600-yard par 5 instead of a 235-yard par 3 (and theoretically creating the potential for more fireworks down the stretch). The new 18th ranked as the second-easiest hole on the course last year (to the other par-5, the sixth hole), playing to a stroke average of 4.581. “Hitting the fairway is crucial in terms of not only getting to the green but being able to get over the water,â€� said Justin Thomas. Here’s a closer look at the 18th. THE LANDING ZONE One of the most interesting par 3s on the PGA TOUR, the 15th hole can play drastically different depending on its tee-box set-up. In the first round last year, it played to 138 yards with a shorter water carry. (Incidentally, that was the shortest set-up for this hole in the history of the FedExCup Playoffs; traditionally, the shorter distance had been in the 150-155 yard range and used in the third round, not the first.) As for the other three rounds last year, the farther tee boxes were used, making the tee shot more challenging over the entire length of water. In fact, Jordan Spieth called it “one of the harder shots we hit all year.â€� The field stroke average for the 138-yard set-up was 2.867; the cumulative average for the other three rounds was 3.126 (see chart below). But as Dustin Johnson said, “You would take three on that hole every day. Doesn’t matter where the tee is.â€� Here’s a look at where all the tee shots landed last year, along with a stroke average breakdown for each round. WEATHER CHECK Isolated thunderstorms are forecast in the first two rounds by PGA TOUR meteorologist Stewart Williams, but he expects drier and more stable air over the weekend as Hurricane Maria moves up the East Coast. Above-normal temperatures are also expected. Wind conditions are expected to be negligible. Click here for the latest weather conditions from Atlanta, Georgia. SOUND CHECK “It doesn’t matter who you are or how much you’ve achieved – you always want more. I think we’re always very greedy and I think anybody who says that they aren’t is lying to you.â€� – Justin Thomas on being motivated after seeing good friend Jordan Spieth’s early success ODDS AND ENDS 1. SMALL-FIELD VICTORIES. Two years ago, Marc Leishman won the Nedbank Golf Challenge, a 30-man field on the European Tour held in South Africa. He beat Henrik Stenson by six shots. “That’s good stuff to put in the memory bank,â€� Leishman said. “Hopefully I can make this No. 2.â€� Two of Jordan Spieth’s 11 career PGA TOUR wins have come in fields of 35 players or less, including the 2015 TOUR Championship. He also has won the Sentry Tournament of Champions, as has Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia. 2. FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS. The eight players making their first trips to East Lake are (with FedExCup ranking) No. 5 Jon Rahm, No. 11 Pat Perez, No. 20 Brian Harman, No. 21 Adam Hadwin, No. 22 Kyle Stanley, No. 24 Tony Finau, No. 26 Xander Schauffele and No. 29 Patrick Cantlay. Rahm, Schauffele and Cantlay are playing in their first FedExCup Playoffs. 3. BUSTING TOP 30 BUBBLE. These five players started the FedExCup Playoffs outside the top 30 in points but managed to play their way into the TOUR Championship – Justin Rose (32), Xander Schauffele (33), Patrick Reed (38), Jason Day (49) and Patrick Cantlay (78). 4. WINLESS BUT ALIVE. Ten players in this week’s field advanced to East Lake without benefit of a win this PGA TOUR season: Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar, Charley Hoffman, Jason Day, Webb Simpson, Patrick Reed, Tony Finau, Gary Woodland and Patrick Cantlay.

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Perspective needs a refocus. That is one of the many byproducts to the pandemic that has enveloped our world and created excruciating fear and pain. That view of the Waste Management Phoenix Open from two months ago, for instance. You likely have a vision of the enclosed stadium at the par-3 16th, the incomparable hijinks and one-of-a-kind merriment that generates layers of attention and entertainment. It is unique, it is loud, and it is dynamic. But right now, it is incumbent upon you to look at it differently. Perhaps refocus with a filter of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley or any of the other four groups in dire need of help during this coronavirus crisis that were gifted charitable dollars to by what is at the heart and soul of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The Thunderbirds. They aren’t ever on that stage at No. 16, but they are somewhere far more important. Standing in the shadows, supporting of their community always, but especially in a time of urgent need. Like right now. “It highlights their generosity, that in this pandemic they’re thinking of others, thinking of those who need it most,� said Webb Simpson. Back on Feb. 2, Simpson defeated Tony Finau in a playoff, winning the WMPO with a closing rush of birdies. Simpson and Finau, and everyone else at TPC Scottsdale, were basked in sunshine that day, but nearly two months later we are all gripped by uncertainty. Simpson, however, is sure of this: “That I love the (Waste Management) Phoenix Open for many reasons.� Those reasons increased exponentially last week when it was announced that the Thunderbirds Council had approved a gift of $1 million to charities that had been severely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the initial gifts went to the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley, St. Mary’s Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul. The Thunderbirds followed up this week with donations to both the The Human Services Campus and Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. Impressive as the number is, it is even more so when you consider this: That this was “emergency community funding,� said Chance Cozby “and outside of the charitable funds that the Thunderbirds Charity will donate from the tournament. That giving is still to come.� Cozby, the Executive Director of the WMPO and “Big Chief� of the Thunderbirds, had announced weeks ago that this year’s tournament would generate $14 million to Arizona charities. That the Thunderbirds Council – which manages the Thunderbirds Charity – at its monthly meeting agreed to keep that number intact and earmark another $1 million in immediate emergency assistance adds yet another glowing chapter to the history of this philanthropic group that dates to 1937. But it was community need, not applause, that led the Thunderbirds Council to act. “People needed help, and as quickly as we could offer it,� said Cozby, who used the Boys and Girls Club as a shining example. “Many kids in the valley have parents who are considered to have ‘essential jobs.’ Maybe they’re firefighters or first-responders, but in any case, these kids need a place to go. It takes about $105,000 to keep the Boys and Girls Club open for a week, so that’s a lot of money.� Similarly, Cozby said The Human Services Campus feeds and nourishes the homeless in downtown Phoenix. That need takes on a greater urgency during a crisis and it registered with the Thunderbirds Council. Ditto the opportunity to purchase 32 mattresses for the Family Promise of Greater Phoenix charity. “When you look at all that has happened, we know we are fortunate because our tournament was played; it’s over,� said Cozby. “We can look in the rear-view mirror. It’s all so unbelievable.� But instead of resting on yet another annual success, Cozby, his WMPO team, and the Thunderbirds stepped up. The move to offer $1 million in emergency charitable funds deserves a standing ovation, but Cozby would prefer it ignite a spark in the philanthropic arenas and remind people that the PGA TOUR has surpassed the $3 billion mark in charitable giving. “We weren’t looking for recognition for this. We wanted zero,� Coxby said. “But we looked at it and thought if we could offer a feel-good story, maybe offer hope at a time when there hasn’t been much, then that would be worth it.� These are, he concedes, challenging days, unprecedented times. But Cozby is of brilliant golf pedigree and knows what the sport and the PGA TOUR are capable of. His father, Jerry, is a member of the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame, a legendary club pro whose three sons – Cary, Craig, and Chance – all played at the University of Oklahoma and the quality and character run deep in this family. “I’ve always felt that the PGA TOUR was one of the best, if not the best, at using its platform to raise charitable dollars for the community,� said Cozby. “So, if (providing $1 million in emergency funds) inspires others to give more, then it’s a win for the game of golf in general.�

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