Ancer, Pan look to check FedExCup and Presidents Cup box in one go

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Abraham Ancer and C.T. Pan know the numbers are right there staring them in the face no matter how hard they try to ignore them.

Both sit in or around important FedExCup bubbles and both are also in the mix for the International Presidents Cup team.

Looking at projections and worrying about the scenarios though is not something they want to focus on. Good golf will take care of things.

Finally, after what had been some lean times for the pair, they have kicked into gear when it counts.

Ancer started the Playoffs in 67th in the FedExCup knowing he must play well at THE NORTHERN TRUST to stay inside the top 70 for the BMW Championship.

Rounds of 67-65 have the Mexican at 10 under through two rounds, behind only Jordan Spieth in the clubhouse after the morning wave Friday.

Pan has posted 68-67 to sit at 7 under and inside the top 10 at this stage. He started the Playoffs in 35th position knowing he has two weeks to push into the top 30 to ensure a place at the TOUR Championship.

Furthermore, Pan (eighth) and Ancer (10th) now have an incredible chance to wrap up a spot in Ernie Els’ International Team for the Dec 12-15 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne. The top eight players secure spots after next week’s BMW Championship.

With Jason Day (seventh) set to miss the cut and Cameron Smith (sixth) in danger of doing the same at THE NORTHERN TRUST Pan and Ancer are in position to jump the Australians on the points list.

“Going into the tournament sitting at 67 I just have to play a solid tournament. That should be fine,” Ancer said.

“But I don't really think about it that much while I'm playing. I know if I just do a good job with my game plan, I should be just fine.

“The Presidents Cup is definitely in the back of my mind as one of the goals for the whole year. But I think if I just keep thinking about it, it just adds pressure to what I'm doing and it's not going to help. I just have to play solid golf and I'll have a good chance to sneak in there.”

Since winning the Australian Open and finishing runner up at the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf late last year Ancer has been on Els’ radar for the biennial teams competition. But with only one top 10 on the PGA TOUR since his victory down under he has slid out of the automatic zone.

Els has made it known he’d like Ancer to play his way on to the team.

Pan won the RBC Heritage in April and was third in the Charles Schwab Challenge in May but has not finished better than a T36 at the Travelers Championship since.

“Getting into the top 30 has always been my goal. I haven’t done it yet but I won for the first time this year and that was a dream come true. Hopefully I can double down on that and make another dream come true,” Pan said.

“The Presidents Cup is definitely on my mind but all we can do is hit one good shot at a time. I definitely want to be part of the team and play my best for captain Els.”