ESPN Golf

Just one week into the FedEx Cup playoffs, we're already seeing that volatility that the PGA Tour officials promised.

Many golfers made huge jumps up the standings like Kevin Sutherland (from 57th to third) after a T-2 finish at The Barclays. A few did just the opposite as some dropped nearly 30 places, like Steve Flesch (from 84th to 113th) after missing the cut.

So, hypothetically, what would guys like Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh and Kenny Perry say about this week's drama and the tweaks to the playoff points system if the cameras weren't rolling? ESPN.com golf writers Bob Harig and Jason Sobel do their best impersonations in their weekly e-mail chat, Alternate Shot.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

Jason, for all of our skepticism over the PGA Tour's "playoff'' system, you have to admit that what we saw over the weekend at The Barclays was pretty good stuff.

And it wasn't just the tournament, where Vijay Singh prevailed in a playoff over tough-luck Sergio Garcia and out-of-nowhere Kevin Sutherland. It is quite obvious that the tweaks made to the playoff system have had a huge impact and will create a more drama-filled climax to the season.

Kevin Streelman would be leading the FedEx Cup standings if he had won -- he missed a playoff by a shot. Kenny Perry, who was second in the standings at the beginning of the week, dropped to seventh after shooting 76 on Sunday. If a player wants to win the $10 million bonus, he is in for a wild ride.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

I'll tell you this much, Bob: I just checked the archives and at this time last year we were discussing players skipping the FedEx events, Steve Stricker's rags-to-riches story after winning The Barclays and fan indifference toward the playoff process as a whole.

Now? The new points format not only has us talking about the playoffs, but in a positive light. I love the fact that there's more volatility with this system, leaving the door to the grand prize wide open for whoever plays the best golf over these four weeks.

Many people criticized the FedEx Cup last year because they thought it was the PGA Tour's way of trying to be bigger than the major championships, but that was never the case. Instead, the whole idea was to provide some form of entertainment to a previously moribund late-season schedule.

It took a year to tweak the points the right way, but a system is now in place that rewards the best playoff performers rather than simply heaping more prize money on those who had a strong regular season.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

And we saw another example of Singh's resiliency. After winning the Bridgestone Invitational three weeks ago for his first victory in 16 months, he not only missed the cut at the PGA Championship, but also at the Wyndham Championship.

It was a shock that Singh showed up in Greensboro, but then he misses the cut? And yet, he got in the mix at The Barclays, and just when you thought it was Garcia's time, Vijay of all people holes a putt to extend the playoff he eventually won.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

I can't figure out whether Singh is inconsistently consistent, consistently inconsistent, or whether neither of those things make any sense anyway.

All I know is that the world's two most maligned putters were part of that playoff; either they've each turned a corner or putting isn't as important as we've always thought it was.

OK, let's play a little game they've made popular on "Pardon the Interruption." (Just pretend you're holding up one of those face-on-a-stick things in front of you.) Bob, you're Vijay Singh. Up until four weeks ago, you were mired in your first season without a win since 2001. Now you're leading the FedEx playoffs. How pleased are you that at age 45 you're proving to everyone that you are still among the game's best players?

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

I'm probably more annoyed having to answer the question.

Age is just a number, I work on my game and conditioning as much as anyone, and I expect to be in this position. I attribute missing the cut at Oakland Hills more to greens that I thought were unfair and I just had a tough week last week. But this is right where I expected to be.

OK, I'll throw it back to you. You're Sergio Garcia. Are you wondering what more you have to do?

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

Nope, I'm just ecstatic that I can finally hole some putts again.

Sure, deep down inside, I'm wondering why I have to be playing against a guy who can't miss a putt on the back nine at Oakland Hills or why my second shot on the final playoff hole at Ridgewood wound up directly behind a tree (even though I got a free drop).

But really, I'm just focused on playing solid golf. I've won before and I know I'll win a lot more in the future. And I absolutely cannot wait to take five points at Valhalla next month. That should be fun.

This is fun, too, Bob. I've never been Sergio Garcia before. But now it's your turn. You're Kevin Sutherland. You've played great, you have a chance to win your first event since 2002 ... and two of the world's best players are waiting for you at the first extra hole? Ouch.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

I'm just glad to be here, especially after that drive on 18. I had no business getting up and down for the par that put me in the playoff, so it's all good.

When you win as infrequently as I do, you feel like you have nothing to lose. Of course, I put my drive in the same spot in the playoff and it was over almost before it started. But it still meant a tie for second, and hey, I moved up 54 spots! I get to play with Vijay and Sergio again on Friday during the first round of the Deutsche Bank. And I'm in the mix for 10 million bucks ...

OK, so now it's back to you. You're Kevin Streelman, and you've gone from fighting for your tour card to nearly leading the FedEx Cup standings.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

I may not be shopping for a private plane just yet, but after years of toiling on the mini-tour circuit and even caddying -- caddying! -- to make a few extra bucks, I've got dollar signs in my eyes.

Everyone knows I played well twice at Torrey Pines this year, but weekend finishes of T-29 at the Buick and T-53 at the U.S. Open didn't exactly pay the bills.

Making the playoff would have been preferable to finishing 1 shot back, of course, but I've got a gig locked up for next year and I'm so happy, I can't stop smiling.

Your turn. You're Hunter Mahan. Already not exactly in the good graces of the PGA of America, you're trying to earn a spot on the Ryder Cup team as a captain's pick, but after a 9-under 62 to start, you finished 73-74-73.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

Yep, I blew a great chance this weekend, but I'll look at the bright side. I moved up a few spots in the FedEx Cup standings despite a mediocre weekend. And at least I got hot for a day to get Paul Azinger's attention.

None of the other possible captain's picks have done much, either, so I've got to think I've still got a good shot with a good week in Boston.

So you're Kenny Perry, did you peak too soon before the Ryder Cup?

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

Maybe I did ... but I'm never going to admit it.

Fact is, I was right in contention at Ridgewood before shooting 72-76 on the weekend. I'm less peeved about my scores than I am this newfangled points system. Everyone seems to like it, but I came in as the No. 1-ranked active player and now I'm down to seventh. I mean, I won three tournaments this year and I might not even make the Tour Championship? That's not fair.

OK, you're Tim Finchem -- I think you just may have a rebuttal for Perry's grievance.

FROM: Bob Harig TO: Jason Sobel

Well, we thought the first PGA Tour playoffs for the FedEx Cup that concluded at the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola came off just fine.

But we always said we would look at the system, and I had plenty of time to study all sorts of scenarios as I zipped back and forth across the country to various tour functions. And the thing I kept hearing was there was not enough volatility, that there was not enough movement from one event to another, that not enough players really had a chance to win the FedEx Cup.

Hence, we made changes that have enhanced the competition, as we just saw. So now do you think we've gone too far? I'll defer to Jason Sobel of ESPN.com, whom maybe we should have consulted in the first place.

FROM: Jason Sobel TO: Bob Harig

Finally, someone with a golf game -- and a bank account -- I can relate to. Like I wrote earlier, just the fact that we're talking about the FedEx Cup playoffs speaks volumes about the advancements that have been made in the past year.

Or maybe we're just getting more used to it. Whatever the case, it's just nice to speak in my own voice again. I just wish I had "borrowed" a few bucks back when I was Sergio.