Rory McIlroy favourite for the Fed-Ex Cup finale, says Ewen Murray

So much is talked about the Fed-Ex Cup during the course of the season, but it's only when the play-offs begin in the autumn that the year-long race generates interest around the golfing world, but no question, it does exactly that.

The first of these play-offs, the Barclays in New Jersey, was won by Hunter Mahan and that victory was enough to convince American Ryder Cup captain, Tom Watson, that he was worth a wild card for Gleneagles.

The last two events in Boston and Denver have been magnificent. In fact they have, outside of the majors, been the best two tournaments I have covered in the United States.

Much of that has been down to the two courses which hosted The Deutsche Bank (TPC of Boston) and the BMW (Cherry Hills).

The TPC of Boston, originally designed by Arnold Palmer in 2001, then upgraded by Brad Faxon and Gil Hanse, was one of these courses that would inspire you to play.

Cherry Hills had that lovely "old" feel to it. A course that when you left the green, the next tee was just a few yards away.

Opened in 1922, it has undergone recent renovation under the supervision of the excellent Tom Doak. The changes made were sympathetic to what was already there, so protecting the rich history and character of the course.

At the moment, Doak is in the region of St Emilion, by Bordeaux, designing a course on land acquired by the famous French golfing family, the Mourgue D'Algue's. I have seen the blueprint of this new venture and have no doubt it will become one of Europe's top golfing destinations in the years ahead.

Chris Kirk's win in Boston was huge for his career, yet when interviewed he didn't seem to go along with that thought. When asked about the possibility of being selected for the Ryder Cup, he didn't seem too interested in that either! Laid back is an understatement to describe him.

Fellow American Billy Horschel had the opportunity to take the title from him or at least force a play-off but fell short after a poor second to the 72nd hole. The manner in which he lost in Boston, was perhaps the inspiration for his victory in Denver.

The last two events in Boston and Denver have been magnificent. In fact they have, outside of the majors, been the best two tournaments I have covered in the United States.

Billy is a player the game needs. Flamboyant and emotive, he gives a lot to the fans. Up until the last fortnight, his year could only be described as average, but on top form, he is a match for anyone.

To come back from the disappointment of last week, he showed great strength of character and, who knows, another win in Atlanta could net him over 13 million dollars in less than three weeks!

I rather hope he does it because in three weeks’ time he and his wife, Brittany, will become parents for the first time. Whatever happens, life is good for the Horschels right now.

Nightmare

Rory McIlroy showed one of the many reasons he is the world number one. Having four putted the 12th green from four feet, five inches on Saturday he returned to the same hole and repeated the feat on Sunday, this time from just under 20 feet.

On completion of his tournament, Rory made his way to the now famous Sky Cart and relived the nightmare. Being able to laugh at your mistakes is part of the game and, in doing that, the unhappy memories fade.

His words: "I've done worse, I have actually five putted" had us all laughing with him. Incidentally, had he holed the first putts at 12 at the weekend, he would have tied Horschel, so there is little wrong with his game and I would be surprised if he doesn't take the spoils in Atlanta this week.

I felt for Sergio Garcia. His play over the week was more than good. His putting let him down in round three, but he bounced back in the last round racing to the turn in 29. With two holes to go, he was still in with a decent chance as he was in the group ahead of Horschel and had the chance to post a score.

An eight at 17, five to get down from under 90 yards, ended his challenge. Is there something lacking in Sergio? It’s a question he must ask himself. Having watched him now for nearly 20 years, I see little or no weakness in his golf game. He is in the top five in the world, so he shouldn't doubt himself. The question is, does he?

Nine top 10s on the PGA Tour this year is confirmation of his consistently superb play and would please some players. It shouldn't – and I suspect, won't – please Sergio.

I think Garcia is top quality, I have done since I first met him when he was just 14 years of age. I believe technically he is sound, he's astute, intelligent and street wise. But something is missing and it's up to him to find the key that unlocks whatever that is. If he finds it, he will win majors.

Course record

It was an outstanding week for Morgan Hoffmann. No top 10s up to the Barclays and he entered the play-offs in 124th place out of the 125 that made it. A ninth place finish in New Jersey allowed him to advance to Boston and Denver.

Languishing in 82nd place at the halfway stage of the BMW, he had virtually no chance of making the Tour Championship. Morgan then fired a course record 62 on Saturday and followed that with a 63 on Sunday. Only Heath Slocum and Kevin Streelman have come from outside the top 100 and made it to Atlanta since the Fed-Ex began in 2007. A fairytale ending to his season is a distinct possibility.

So onwards to East Lake for the grand finale. The former home course of the Great Bobby Jones awaits 29 players that will contend the Tour Championship and share a season ending bonus pool.

David Livingstone brings the curtain down on this year’s PGA Tour season and we swap Claude Harmon Jnr for Harmon senior.

Young Claude made a very impressive debut on Sky Sports during the Play-offs with his on-course commentary, swing analysis and studio work. A chip off the old block I think!

We all look forward to your company from Thursday through to Sunday and next week – we will have a chat about that team event that's coming up in Scotland in just over two weeks’ time!