golf clubs showcase

The Barclays
Course: Liberty National Golf Club Location: Jersey City, New JerseySince: 1967Yardage: 7,419Par: 71Field: 125Cut: Low 70 plus ties after 36 holesTee Off: Thursday BST 12:15

Overview

The Barclays is the first event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs featuring the top 125 players from the season long FedExCup points list including eight of the top ten players in the world.

Next week the top 100 golfers will go on to the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. The following week the top 70 players will progress to the BMW Championship in Chicago.

After a two week break the final 30 players atop the FedEx Cup points list will fight it out at the Tour Championship in Atlanta where a $10,000,000 prize fund awaits the winner. Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh won the first two FedEx Cups.

Westchester Country Club was home to the Barclays from 1967-2007. Last year the event was held at Ridgewood Country Club and this year it moves to Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

Last Time Out

Vijay Singh collected a tournament record fourth career victory last year at Ridgewood Country Club with a sudden death playoff win, defeating Sergio Garcia and Kevin Sutherland.

At the first playoff hole Singh made a do or die birdie putt after Garcia sank his birdie attempt and Sutherland was eliminated. Singh two putted for birdie on the second playoff hole to capture the title.

In his three previous title defences of the Barclays Singh withdrew in 1994, finished tied for 20th in 1996 and missed the cut in 2007.

Course

The Liberty National course was designed by 1992 U.S. Open winner Tom Kite and Bob Cupp and opened for play in 2006. Tom Kite also designed the Trump International Golf Club, home to this year's Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.

The par 71 course can play as long as 7,419 yards. It sits alongside the Hudson River with views of Manhattan two miles away and the Statue of Liberty less than 1,000 yards from the 18th green.

Liberty National is a unique style of golf course. With over 5000 trees there are some holes which give it parkland course look but other holes which run alongside the river give it a Scottish links feel.

The course features undulating fairways well protected by bunkers, long wispy bluegrass rough in places and small greens with multiple run off areas.

Weather

Forecast is good for Thursday and Friday with unsettled weather due over the weekend with a 40% chance of thunderstorms.

Conclusion

A new course for all the players and one that should test all the golf clubs in their bag. The players will need to shape the ball off the tee and distance will be an advantage this year as recent rain has left the course playing soft and the ball is not rolling out. Accurate iron play and a good strategy with a creative short game will be the keys to success.

Liberty National provides a good solid all round test with an emphasis on quality ball striking and short game skills.

Golf clubs recommended:
Taylormade R9 Driver
Titleist AP2 Irons