Jul. 30, 2008
When it comes to the FedExCup, the players on the PGA TOUR understand one important thing -- finishing the regular season in the top 30 in points is the best way to position themselves for the Playoffs and the $10 million first prize that awaits the champion.
Last year, going into the final event of the Playoffs -- THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola -- six players had a mathematical chance to win the FedExCup. All six were top-30 seeds entering the Playoffs.
Even with the revised point system that is in effect for this season, 12 players -- all top 30 seeds -- would have had a mathematical chance to win the Cup that was eventually claimed by Tiger Woods last year.
Meanwhile, no top 30 seed who made the cut in the first two Playoff events missed THE TOUR Championship, which is limited to 30 players.
Thus, the importance of being in the top 30 cannot be overstated. Here's how it breaks down for those players participating in this week's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. (For more on the FedExCup, click here. For current FedExCup standings, click here.)
| Currently in the top 30 |
| Kenny Perry |
2 |
20,824 |
| Phil Mickelson |
3 |
16,199 |
| Stewart Cink |
4 |
15,039 |
| Anthony Kim |
5 |
14,997 |
| Justin Leonard |
6 |
12,399 |
| Geoff Ogilvy |
8 |
10,660 |
| Padraig Harrington |
9 |
10,331 |
| Vijay Singh |
10 |
10,309 |
| Robert Allenby |
11 |
10,128 |
| Boo Weekley |
12 |
9,280 |
| Jim Furyk |
13 |
9,076 |
| K.J. Choi |
14 |
8,436 |
| Sean O'Hair |
15 |
8,299 |
| Trevor Immelman |
16 |
8,090 |
| Steve Stricker |
17 |
7,877 |
| Sergio Garcia |
18 |
7,763 |
| D.J. Trahan |
19 |
7,556 |
| J.B. Holmes |
20 |
7,525 |
| Adam Scott |
21 |
7,499 |
| Chad Campbell |
23 |
7,089 |
| Stephen Ames |
25 |
6,845 |
| Rod Pampling |
26 |
6,798 |
| Woody Austin |
27 |
6,701 |
| Ernie Els |
28 |
6,699 |
| Chez Reavie |
29 |
6,372 |
|
| Can move into the top 30 with... |
| A top-10 finish (current rank) |
| Stuart Appleby (42) |
Daniel Chopra (39) |
Steve Lowery (38)
|
| Andres Romero (34) |
Hunter Mahan (33) |
|
|
| A top-5 finish |
| Johnson Wagner (45) |
Fredrik Jacobson (43) |
|
|
| A top-3 finish |
| Rocco Mediate (54) |
Rory Sabbatini (52) |
Aaron Baddeley (50)
|
| Brandt Snedeker (49) |
|
|
| A top-2 finish |
| Tim Clark (76) |
Retief Goosen (75) |
Charles Howell III (74)
|
| Peter Lonard (71) |
Nick O'Hern (68) |
Ian Poulter (63)
|
|
|
| A win |
| Angel Cabrera (133) |
David Toms (129) |
Vaughn Taylor (120)
|
| Zach Johnson (119) |
Paul Casey (118) |
Steve Flesch (102)
|
| Scott Verplank (99) |
Lucas Glover (90) |
Lee Westwood (88)
|
| Justin Rose (87) |
|