Inside the FedExCup: Streaks on the line for Sergio Garcia, Bill Haas

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Thirteen players have qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs every season since its debut in 2007. One player definitely will fall off that list by the end of this week – and two others might join him. Sergio Garcia and Bill Haas enter the Wyndham Championship in danger of missing the Playoffs for the first time. Garcia ranks 131st in FedExCup points while Haas is 150th. Both need to move inside the top 125 by the end of the week in order to keep their streaks alive. To do so would likely require 375 points, the projected point total needed to make next week’s Playoffs opener, THE NORTHERN TRUST. Garcia currently has 331 points. If he finishes solo 20th, he would receive 45 points, leaving him with 376 points. Garcia hasn’t finished that high on a PGA TOUR leaderboard in a stroke-play event since a solo fourth at the Valspar Championship in mid-March. Haas, the 2011 FedExCup champ, currently has 253 points. If he can finish solo fourth, he would receive 135 points, leaving him with 388 points. The last time Haas has finished solo fourth or better at a TOUR event was more than two years ago at the 2016 Quicken Loans National. So those are the targets for the two players (knowing that nothing is guaranteed until Sunday afternoon). It won’t be easy but at least the opportunity is there. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Luke Donald. He’s been sidelined since mid-April due to back issues and currently ranks 213th in the FedExCup standings. His return to the TOUR remains uncertain, and he will officially be eliminated this week. As for the 10 other players on that list? All are safely inside the top 125 and guaranteed to keep their streaks alive for at least another season. Two are in the field this week – Ryan Moore (ranked 59th) and Brandt Snedeker (ranked 80th). The other perfect attendance Playoffs performers are: Justin Rose (4th), Bubba Watson (5th), Phil Mickelson (10th), Charles Howell III (46th), Zach Johnson (49th), Matt Kuchar (62nd), Adam Scott (70th) and Charley Hoffman (95th). Last chance assembly No surprise that nearly half of the field this week consists of players who rank between 100 and 180 in FedExCup points. Those just inside the top 125 in points want to maintain their positions; those outside the top 125 are down to their last chance to move inside. Of those 80 players in that 100-180 range, 75 are teeing it up at Sedgefield, including every player ranked between 122-132. That includes Harris English (132nd), who has made the FedExCup Playoffs in each of his first six seasons on TOUR. As mentioned above, the projected point total to make the Playoffs is 375 points. Currently, the top 123 players in the standings are above that number. Martin Piller is 124th with 371 points, while Tyrone Van Aswegen is 125th with 364 points. A missed cut this week could end their seasons, depending on how the rest of the leaderboard shakes out. Scenarios The likely finish needed for each player ranked between 124-132 to make the Playoffs: Odds and Ends BUSTING THE BUBBLE: A year ago, four golfers played their way into the Playoffs from outside the top 125 entering Wyndham (Martin Flores, Rory Sabbatini, Harold Varner III and J.J. Henry, who did it for the second time in his career). The most players in any one season to bust the 125 bubble is five. In 2012 and 2013, no players were able to play their way in. TOP 30s: Two players guaranteed an extended Playoffs run are Webb Simpson and Chesson Hadley, who are each inside the top 30 in points. Both are in the field this week seeking to increase their positions. Simpson, winner of THE PLAYERS Championship, is 12th and would love to move inside the top five after the BMW Championship. Those five will control their own destiny going into the Playoffs finale at East Lake. Hadley is 26th and has never qualified for the TOUR Championship. CHAMPS IN FIELD: Four past FedExCup champions are playing this week at Sedgefield: Henrik Stenson (also the defending Wyndham champ); Brant Snedeker; Bill Haas; and Billy Horschel.

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