Week 36 Approach Shots: BMW Championship

News, notes and predictions as we get set for the third stage of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, the BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Ill.

TV/Radio (all times ET)

TV: GOLF(Thu.-Fri., 3 p.m.-6 p.m.), NBC (Sat., 12 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.-6 p.m.) RADIO: SIRIUS 209, XM 146, PGATOUR.COM (Thu.-Fri., 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.-6 p.m.)

Key links

• Expert picks | Sleepers • Rankings | Fantasy Insider • Tee times | Field | Course

Weather

Mostly sunny, temperatures in low-70s. Winds from the NE at 10 mph. Updated weather info

The last time we saw Steve Stricker play in Illinois, he was finishing off a 26-under performance at the John Deere Classic, which gave him a victory over the year's first "Mr. 59", Paul Goydos.

The 1990 graduate of the University of Illinois is returning to the Prairie State at No. 3 in the FedExCup standings and looking to wrap up a top-5 spot going into THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

Playing again in familiar territory, Stricker is comfortable, rested, and ready to compete in the BMW Championship.

"I was able to go home Monday night and get a couple nights' rest at home and just drive down today," Stricker said on Wednesday. "I've played well here in the past, and it's always fun to come back. It feels a lot like home, and I get a tremendous amount of support here."

Stricker won at Cog Hill in 1996 and has finished inside the top 10 in two of the three seasons the event has been a part of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

"It's always nice when you've had some successes at the venues that we go to and you come back on a yearly basis to play there or in the area," Stricker said. "It gives you a good feeling even coming into the event."

The Playoffs seem to give Stricker a good feeling each year. He's the only player to have competed in all 56 rounds since the inception of the Playoffs, and holds the record for rounds in the 60s with 36. Stricker can add to those successes in the next two events, but for now, he's focused on finishing 65th or better this week to lock up a spot in the top 5 for THE TOUR Championship.

"The goal is obviously to stay in the top 5 this week," Stricker said. "Basically what this playoff system has lent is that you play some solid golf leading up to THE TOUR Championship, and if you were to win one, hopefully it's that TOUR Championship because you can win the whole thing by doing that."

Columnists' predictions

Each week, PGATOUR.COM columnists will predict the winner. Here are their picks for the Deutsche Bank Championship: Columnist Pick Comment Stan AWTREY TIGER WOODS: Familiarity didn't help at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but Tiger looks more comfortable than he did six weeks ago. A win here changes the landscape for THE TOUR Championship and the outlook for the Player of the Year race. Craig DOLCH TIGER WOODS: Woods has two wins and two seconds in his last four starts in the BMW Championship. Coming off three consecutive rounds in the 60s last week for the first time this year, not to mention having his Ryder Cup spot secured, Woods is trending in the correct direction. Melanie HAUSER TIGER WOODS: Wanted to go with Adam Scott, but can't ignore three huge points -- Tiger is getting better every week, he's won four times at Cog Hill and he plans to be at East Lake next week. John MAGINNES TIGER WOODS: At best, Tiger only has two weeks left to win on TOUR in 2010. If he doesn't contend at the BMW Championship -- that could be it. It is about time to get it done for the World No. 1.

Bolton's Yahoo! selections

Fantasy columnist Rob Bolton will provide his Yahoo! picks as a starting point for you every week. Use the advice and opinion from his Power Rankings and Fantasy Insider to assist in determining lineups changes throughout each tournament. Group Starters Bench Group A Steve Stricker Tiger Woods Group B Stewart Cink, Adam Scott Jim Furyk, Michael Sim Group C Matt Kuchar Ryan Palmer

Sign up for our FREE fantasy golf game on Yahoo! Click here

Did you know?

The top 13 in the FedExCup standings have locked up spots in THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, and the next six are very likely moving on to East Lake. That means 11 spots could be highly contested at this weeks field. For more Playoffs scenarios click here.

What the winner gets

A victory this week at the BMW Championship will earn the following benefits: • Fully Exempt for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011 and 2012 • 2,500 FedExCup points. In 2009, it took 1,532 to reach THE TOUR Championship. • A spot in the following 2011 events in order of play:    - SBS Championship    - Bob Hope Classic    - Arnold Palmer Invitational    - Masters Tournament    - Verizon Heritage    - THE PLAYERS Championship    - Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial    - The Memorial Tournament    - AT&T National    - PGA Championship • If second TOUR win since the 2010 U.S. Open, entry into the 2011 U.S. Open. • If a U.S. player, 1,350,000 points towards making the 2011 Presidents Cup team.