Swafford Finishes 12th at New Orleans PGA Stop

Local Product, Hudson Swafford, Making His Move on the PGA Tour

Most recently, we have chronicled his stellar play in FedEx Cup playoffs, which are in progress now, and his move from the top 125 to the top 100.

Hudson Swafford, Maclay Grad, Makes Next Round of Fedex Cup Tournament

And now the pressure is on for Swafford to take the next step.

This weekend he needed to play the best golf of the year to make the top 70 in the Fedex Cup standings and qualify for the next round.

And guess what – after three rounds he is doing it!

After three rounds at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which began Friday and ends today, Swafford is tied for 11th after shooting 69, 69, and a 68.

His play has moved him up to number 69 in the Fedex Cup standings. He needs to be at 70 or better to continue.

And his position can change with almost every swing of his club and everyone else’s.

For example, as we write this at 10:00 am, play has begun in the final round, and even though Swafford does not tee off until 12:45, he has moved up one spot to 68 in the Fedex Cup standings.

He finished his third round yesterday by birding two out of the last three holes. Check out his birdie on #16.

Regardless of how he finishes today, Swafford has taken a huge step towards becoming a regular on the PGA Tour.

He tees off today at 12:45 with coverage beginning at 1:3o  on NBC 40.

The FedEx Cup is a season-long points competition offering $67 million in bonus and prize money over the four weeks of FedExCup Playoff competition which began this weekend.

During the PGA TOUR season, TOUR members earn points based on their results, with a strong emphasis placed on winning and high finishes.

Once the PGA TOUR season concludes, the top-125 players advance to the FedExCup Playoffs, a series of four $8-million tournaments offering quadruple points relative to PGA TOUR season events.

Swafford played well enough during the year, earning approximately $900,000,  to make the top 125 and into the Barclays tournament this weekend in New Jersey.

However, the pressure was on to play well and make the top 100 and move on to next weeks tournament.

And it was not smooth sailing for the local product.

After opening with a pair of 68’s on Thursday and Friday, he shot a 71 on Saturday. He opened Sunday with a disappointing 39 on the front nine and was near the 100 player cut line a couple times before finishing with a strong 35 on the back nine.

Swafford ended up finishing tied for 50th which moved him up to 93rd in the Fedex Cup standings. This means he qualifies for the $8.25 million Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, MA next weekend.

The tournament was won by reigning PGA champion, Jason Day.