Ever since moving across the Hudson River from Westchester Country Club in New York in 2008, the PGA Tour has fallen in love with New Jersey. The tour loves the types of classic courses that the state has to offer, even at one point considering Essex County Country Club in West Orange as part of the course rotation.
Hoo boy, can you imagine the players navigating Essex County roads? FedEx Cup points leader Nick Watney — a Sacramento-area native — was asked what his favorite and least favorite things about New Jersey were in the media room were on Wednesday.
Earthquakes? Earthquakes!! Brookline’s James Driscoll, 120th on the FedEx Cup leaderboard, was also in the field. The cousin of everybody’s favorite NESN Red Sox reporter, Heidi Watney, Nick joins Bradley, 2009 Deutsche Bank champ Steve Stricker, 2010 Travelers Championship winner Bubba Watson, and Mark Wilson in the two-time winner’s circle this year.
Winning at the Plainfield Country Club would see the 33-year-old golfer $10million richer.
Donald could become the first player to win both the money lists on the European and US Tours in the same season.
Donald is currently top of the leaderboard of the PGA Tour’s money list infront of Nick Watney by $120,479 - a lead that could be lost in just one shot.
He tees up in round one of The Barclays alongside Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson at 1.06pm local time.