TOUR Insider: These players still chasing first start at East Lake

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Bo Van Pelt can cap a career year with his first appearance in the Playoffs finale.

There are going to be quite a few new faces in the field when the PGA TOUR completes its Playoffs next week at historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Matt Kuchar, who lives in Atlanta and starred at Georgia Tech, will be in THE TOUR Championship for the first time. Other first-timers who have already secured their place include Charley Hoffman, Jason Day and Martin Laird.

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Fortunately for the others, the door to East Lake is still ajar. It's not wide open, but there's one week left for other would-be "rookies" to either clinch their spot or play their way into THE TOUR Championship. There is no cut this week at the BMW Championship, so they'll have four rounds to nail down that lucrative spot in the Playoff finale -- or fritter it away on the weekend.

It is possible to blow a big points lead in the playoffs. It happened last year to Rory Sabbatini, who was No. 17 when the playoffs began. He missed the cut in the first two events and put himself in such a bind that even a tie for 18th at the BMW couldn't help him.

It's also possible to play your way into THE TOUR Championship on the last week. Three players clawed their way into the finale in 2007 and two players have done so in each of the last two seasons. It's very likely to happen again, especially with that daunting 18th hole at Cog Hill staring them in the face.

Here are five guys who could sew up their place or break into the field for THE TOUR Championship for the first time:

Paul Casey: Currently No. 21 on the points list, Casey chose to pursue the FedExCup rather than return to Europe and chase Ryder Cup points. The move inexplicably prevented him from being named to the European team (although he's the ninth-ranked player in the world), but it has put him in the middle of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup. Casey, who began the Playoffs 27th in points, tied for 12th at The Barclays and tied for 25th at the Deutsche Bank and should be secure in his attempt to reach East Lake.

Bo Van Pelt: Currently No. 23 on the points list, Van Pelt was also given Ryder Cup consideration and could use a trip to East Lake as a consolation prize. Van Pelt played better in the middle of the season and has six top-10s. He can't afford to stagger this week and has sent mixed messages in the Playoffs, missing the cut at The Barclays and finishing tied for 25th at the Deutsche Bank. Van Pelt's best opportunity to make THE TOUR Championship came in 2004, when he finished 39th on the money list. But the Oklahoma State product better get some tread on his tires -- he's slipped ten spots on the points list over the last two weeks.

Haas

Bill Haas: Currently No. 28 on the points list, Haas is definitely on the bubble. He came within shouting distance of East Lake a year ago, finishing 41st on the FedEx Cup points list. Since his victory at the Bob Hope Classic in January, Haas has enjoyed a steady season, making the cut most of the time, but rarely in contention. Haas has little room for error and used last week's T22 performance in Boston to move from No. 31 back into the top 30. Haas has fond memories of Cog Hill from last year, when the tied for 10th.

Charlie Wi: Currently No. 37 on the points list, Wi is playing well at the right time. He tied for 27th at the Barclays and tied for 18th in Boston, which moved him up eight spots in the standings. His closest call to THE TOUR Championship was in 2008 when he was 42nd on the points list. A top-10 (he's had three this season) would probably be enough to get him into the field at East Lake.

Michael Sim: Currently No. 53 on the points list, Sim would be the long shot in this group. But he's one of the hottest players, too. He tied for third at Turning Stone and the Wyndham Championship to bring momentum into the Playoffs. After a middling T36 at The Barclays, he tied for 11th at the Deutsche Bank and moved up 13 spots. Like Tiger Woods, who is No. 51 on the list, Sim needs a top-five finish to advance to Atlanta.

For those who are on the outside and trying to make it to the final stage for the first time, the best idea is to keep plugging away and remember John Senden, the patron saint for last-minute reprieves. A year ago Senden thought a double bogey on the 71st hole had doomed his chances, only to learn he had made it after Ian Poulter and Brandt Snedeker both faltered on the last hole. Senden then went on to tie for 10th at THE TOUR Championship, proving that almost anything is possible.

Here's hoping for similar dramatics this weekend.

Stan Awtrey is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.