It's anybody's guess what the reaction will be from the players, and possibly more important, the fans, to the new format for the Tour Championship which begins Thursday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

    After his three-stroke victory in the BMW Championship at Medinah Sunday, Justin Thomas goes into Atlanta starting at 10 under based on the new rules, followed by Patrick Cantlay at -8, Brooks Koepka at -7, Patrick Reed at -6, Rory McIlroy at -5 and so on down the line all the way to No. 30.   

    Thomas inherited the top spot after winning the BMW at 25 under par, closing with a 4-under 68, three strokes ahead of Cantlay, who made a good move up the board with a Sunday 65. Hideki Matsuyama was third at 20 under, followed by Tony Finau at -18 and Jon Rahm at -16.  

    Tiger Woods had another sporadic day after gaining some traction on Saturday with a 5-under 67, closing with even-par 72 and missing out on the top 30 by 12 spots. Phil Mickelson will also miss the finale, finishing 47th. Francesco Molinari, Billy Horschel, Jordan Spieth, and Jason Day are among those who won't be around for the final event of the season. 

    Tiger wound up the 72 holes making 17 birdies and 10 bogeys, but he didn't make any doubles, which had been a bugaboo in recent events. Somehow, it doesn't seem right that the 2018 winner of the event doesn't get to come back for 2019. If the winner of the Masters goes on to play like a bum for the rest of the season, he still gets to go back to Augusta a year later, no questions asked. What problem would there be if the field numbered 31?  

    By this time next week, the reaction to the new format should be clear - maybe. I have a feeling it could be a one-and-done affair. 

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