Week 35 Approach Shots: Deutsche Bank Championship

News, notes and predictions as we get set for the second stage of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass.

TV/Radio (all times ET)

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

Key links

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

Weather

Rainy, temperatures in mid-70s. Winds from the S at 20 mph. Updated weather info

Whoever said "slow and steady wins the race" probably wasn't talking about the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

It took 22 starts for Matt Kuchar to notch his first victory of the 2010 season. Along the way he's been steady, collecting top-10 finishes in 10 events, including two in majors. Kutchar finally broke through last week at The Barclays and that victory has him atop the standings after week one of the four-week Playoffs.

Kuchar enters this week's Deutsche Bank Championship with the confidence that comes from earning the biggest victory of his professional career.

"Having wins and having solid play like I've had all year is definitely a thing to build some confidence on," he said. "There's nothing better than -- nothing better for your confidence than winning a golf tournament."

The victory was the third TOUR win of his career, joining the 2002 Honda Classic and the 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Between those two wins, Kuchar had dropped off the TOUR, playing for a year on the Nationwide Tour before graduating back onto the PGA TOUR. He's improved his standing each year since returning to the TOUR in 2007.

"I graduated from the Nationwide onto the PGA TOUR, and then steadily climbed up, up the Money List and up the FedExCup list," Kuchar said. "Last year was my best year to date, had the win at Turning Stone, had a lot of solid performances, and this year has been even a better year. I think it's just those little jumps that go a long way out here."

In the three-year history of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, only one winner of The Barclays has gone on to hoist the trophy and claim the $10 million grand prize. Vijay Singh performed the feat in 2008 with a victory at The Barclays, coupled with a win the very next week at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Another strong performance, or a Singh-equaling victory this week, would make Kuchar very difficult to catch.

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 JIM FURYK: Hitting the snooze alarm was costly for Furyk a week ago. No problem this week. He's motivated, rested and has played well at the Deutsche Bank Championship, where he tied for eighth in 2009. Craig DOLCH DUSTIN JOHNSON: While Tiger Woods appears to be slowly regaining his form and consistency, I'm picking Mr. Resilient -- Dustin Johnson. No player has showed more bounce-back ability this year. And, oh yeah, he was fourth in this event last year. Melanie HAUSER ADAM SCOTT: Could have gone with Stricker (hot hand), Tiger (soon, folks), Furyk (will be on this tee early), Dustin (going low), or Vaughn Taylor (outside the box). Settled on Scott (second comeback this year). Let's keep the Playoffs interesting!

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 Tiger Woods Steve Stricker Group B Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson Padraig Harrington, Adam Scott Group C Paul Casey Angel Cabrera

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Did you know?

His 65th position in the FedExCup standings is the best rank Tiger Woods has held all season. He will need between a 52nd and a 57th place finish this week to move into the top 70 and into the BMW Championship field. While much will depend on what the other players do in the next two weeks, he will likely need either two 8th or better finishes over the next two events or a single third place finish to earn his way into the THE TOUR Championship.

What the winner gets

A victory this week at the Deutsche Bank 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 816 points to reach the BMW Championship and 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.