Week 37 Approach Shots: THE TOUR Championship

News, notes and predictions as we get set for the final stage of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga.

TV/Radio (all times ET)

TV: GOLF(Thu.-Fri., 1-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), NBC (Sat., 12-3:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30-6 p.m.) RADIO: SIRIUS 209, XM 146, PGATOUR.COM (Thu.-Fri., 12-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 12-6 p.m.)

Key links

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

Weather

Mostly sunny, temperatures in low-90s. Winds from the SE at 10 mph. Updated weather info

Wouldn't it be sweet for Paul Casey?

After being snubbed by Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and then seeing the BMW Championship get away from him on three-consecutive back-9 bogeys, Casey controls his own destiny this week at East Lake.

He is the highest-ranked player in the field without a win on TOUR this season, but a victory for the 33-year-old Englishman would mean the FedExCup, and its $10 million prize, are his.

"I've got a chance at winning (the FedExCup) outright if I win (this week), which is exciting," Casey said. "That was one of my goals coming into this year. I've got a chance to accomplish that goal. So hopefully drive the ball straight and put myself into contention."

Casey entered the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup at No. 27 in the standings, but has three consecutive top-25 finishes. That includes a second-place mark at Cog Hill two weeks ago which has Casey in the fifth position entering the final leg of the Playoffs.

Knowing that a win assures him the FedExCup, Casey will not be changing the strategy that has brought him this far.

"I think I approach this the same I've approached any tournament this year. I'm going in -- I want to win it," he said. "That's the reason I'm here. For me, I look at this golf course and I've got to try and -- between now and Thursday afternoon, I've got to figure out how to play it...

"If that's going well after a round or two rounds, then keep doing it. If not, tweak it a little bit. But whatever I have to do, I'm going to try and put myself into position so I've got a chance to win this thing on Sunday. Nobody can win this thing until Sunday. I can't get wrapped up in this too much, just approach it as a regular tournament."

Winning the FedExCup, however, is not something he looks at as a way to fill the void of not making the Ryder Cup team.

"Something like the Ryder Cup, I am not dwelling on it," he said. I will watch the TV and I will be wishing I was there, but winning a FedExCup doesn't necessarily fill that hole because it's not really -- it's not about that. This is now a whole separate thing. This is about trying to win the FedExCup, and if you do that, it means I've beaten everybody in this field this week."

Columnists' predictions

Each week, PGATOUR.COM columnists will predict the winner. Here are their picks for THE TOUR Championship: Columnist Pick Comment Stan AWTREY Steve Stricker: His third win of the season would give him the FedExCup, the money title and most likely Player of the Year honors. Craig DOLCH Phil Mickelson: Lefty isn't 100 percent physically, but he has a comfort level at East Lake that will serve him well this week. Melanie HAUSER DUSTIN JOHNSON: Almost too close to call. Adam Scott (playing great, won here in '06) and Paul Casey (something to prove) right there, but in the end... it's Dustin's year. John Maginnes DUSTIN JOHNSON: I am still picking Tiger this week... But in his stead... Dustin wins THE TOUR Championship and player of the year and when he comes back to defend next year he is the No. 1 player in the world.

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 Phil Mickelson Group B Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott Group C Matt Kuchar Paul Casey

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Did you know?

One third of this week's field has never competed in THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. For more information on all 30 players in the field at East Lake, 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, 2012 and 2013 • 2,500 FedExCup points. • 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.