2011 Fall Series preview: Events and notable names

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FALL SERIES: Preview | Primer | Five to watch | McGirt's confidence | Top earners | Current money list

The first day of fall took place last week. The first round of the PGA TOUR's Fall Series takes place Thursday at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

This year, the Fall Series is comprised of four tournaments and features late-season drama as players will be vying to finish in the top 125 on the Official Money List to earn their TOUR cards for 2012.

Tournament winners, of course, will receive a two-year exemption on the PGA TOUR and an invitation to the season-opening, winners-only Hyundai Tournament of Champions. And there's also the motivation to finish in the top 30 on the money list, which would earn a spot in the following years Masters.The opportunity to accrue Official World Golf Ranking points towards entry into the exclusive World Golf Championships events also exists.

In other words, there's a lot to play for in the next month.

To get you ready for the Fall Series, here's a quick overview:

Fall Series events

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN Round 1 starts: Sept. 29 Course: TPC Summerlin (7,243 yards, par 71) Location: Las Vegas Nev. Defending champion: Jonathan Byrd Quick preview: Byrd will defend his title after winning a three-man playoff last year against Martin Laird and Cameron Percy with an historic ace. Nick Watney, the regular-season FedExCup points leader, will try to rebound from a disappointing Playoffs run. FRYS.COM OPEN Round 1 starts: Oct. 6 Course: CordeValle (7,368 yards, par 71) Location: San Martin, Calif. Defending champion: Rocco Mediate Quick preview: The big news is that Tiger Woods will make his first TOUR start since the PGA Championship. Woods did not earn enough FedExCup points to compete in the Playoffs. Ernie Els is another huge name who is scheduled to play in the event. THE McGLADREY CLASSIC Round 1 starts: Oct. 13 Course: Seaside Course (7,005 yards, par 70) Location: Sea Island, Ga. Defending champion: Heath Slocum Quick preview: Thanks to the involvement of Sea Island resident Davis Love III, the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, the tournament will again have plenty of notable names in the field. CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS CLASSIC Round 1 starts: Oct. 20 Course: Walt Disney World Resort Magnolia course (7,516 yards, par 72) Location: Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Defending champion: Robert Garrigus Quick preview: Last chance for players to move into the top 125 on the season-ending official money list to secure their playing privileges for next year. Last year, three players moved inside the top 125 at this event.

Kodak Challenge

The final four holes of the Kodak Challenge will be played during the Fall Series, with the winner after the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic receiving the $1 million prize. Created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf, the Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition on the PGA TOUR. Players must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million. Here are the final four holes: Tournament Hole Par Yardage JT Shriners Hospitals for Children 16th 5 560 Frys.com Open 17th 4 358 McGladrey Classic 13th 4 408 Children's Miracle Network 17th 4 485

Click here for complete coverage of Kodak Challenge

Notables outside the top 125

NEED TO MAKE A MOVE These players may be in danger of losing their TOUR status for next season if they don't finish inside the top 125 on the money list 134. Paul Casey -- A year ago, he finished sixth in FedExCup points but his status as a tournament winner expires after this year 136. Justin Leonard -- Lowest finish on the money list since joining the TOUR full-time in 1995? 109th in 2006. 142. Ben Curtis -- The 2003 British Open champ finished 120th on the money list last year to earn his card in 2011 152. David Duval -- Last year was his first finish inside the top 125 on the money list since 2002 177. Boo Weekley -- Has just one top-25 finish in 19 starts this year. DON'T NEED TO WORRY These players are secured of their TOUR card for next year, no matter where they finish on the money list 130. Louis Oosthuizen -- Thanks to his 2010 win at the British Open, Oosthuizen is exempt through 2015. 132. Angel Cabrera -- Thanks to his two major wins, Cabrera is exempt through 2014. 133. Stephen Ames -- Thanks to his multiple wins, including the 2006 PLAYERS Championship, Ames is exempt through 2013 135. Cameron Beckman -- Thanks to his 2010 win at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, Beckman is exempt through 2012. 179. Henrik Stenson -- Thanks to his 2009 win at THE PLAYERS Championship, Stenson is exempt through 2014. 205. Rocco Mediate -- Thanks to last year's win at the Frys.com Open, Mediate is exempt through 2012.

Top money earners in Fall Series (since 2007)

Rank Player Career money in Fall Series Fall Series tournament wins 1 George McNeill $2,248,894.19 2007 Frys Electronics Open 2 Stephen Ames $1,943,202.25 2007, 2009 Children's Miracle Network Classic 3 Justin Leonard $1,901,360.55 2007 Valero Texas Open 4 Robert Garrigus $1,778,992.67 2010 Children's Miracle Network Classic 5 Cameron Beckman $1,764,602.45 2008 Frys.com Open

Click here for Top 100 money earners in Fall Series