The FedEx Cup Playoffs produced high drama in the first week, leading to major movement in the standings for the BMW Championship. Only three players – Viktor Hovland, Eric Cole, and Nick Dunlap – moved into the coveted top 50, while three others were pushed out. This included Tom Kim, who missed the field by making six on the final three holes, becoming the first man out. Keegan Bradley secured a spot in the BMW Championship by finishing T59 in Memphis, ensuring his place in all eight of next year’s Signature Events.
Players who secure a top 50 berth in the FedEx Cup standings now have the ultimate prize in sight – a spot in the Tour Championship. Participants in the Tour Championship receive a two-year exemption on the Tour, entry into the Masters, and spots in the U.S. Open and Open Championship. They also compete for a share of the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus pool in the unique staggered-strokes format of the Tour Championship. Based on the current standings, the top 19 players in the BMW Championship are locked into the field in Atlanta, with four more players having a high probability of advancing to East Lake.
The BMW Championship bubble features 27 players on and around the bubble this week in Colorado. Some notable players on the bubble include Jason Day, Brian Harman, Denny McCarthy, Tommy Fleetwood, Chris Kirk, Stephan Jaeger, Matt Fitzpatrick, Will Zalatoris, Cameron Young, Adam Scott, Max Homa, Nick Dunlap, and Keegan Bradley. These players will need strong performances in the BMW Championship to secure their spots in the Tour Championship and have a chance at winning the FedEx Cup.
Jason Day earned a well-timed return to the top 50 last year with a win in Dallas, while Brian Harman, last year’s Champion Golfer of the Year, has been consistent with 10 top 25s this season. Denny McCarthy is known for his putting skills, but has never made it to East Lake. Tommy Fleetwood has been consistent this season but needs a strong showing to match his 6th place FedEx Cup finish from last year. Will Zalatoris has faced ups and downs this season, while Cameron Young has a high number of top-10 finishes but struggled in non-top-25 events.
Adam Scott has been peaking at the right time with two top-10 finishes in his last three starts, while Max Homa has not been able to sustain his early season success. Nick Dunlap is on a hot streak with a win at the Baracuda Championship, and Keegan Bradley secured his spot in the BMW Championship thanks to Tom Kim’s implosion. These players will need to perform well in the BMW Championship to advance to the Tour Championship in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
