Wednesday 13 September 2017 15:58, UK
Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia are among the big names who are battling to qualify for the FedExCup finale at this week's BMW Championship.
The top 22 in the FedExCup standings are highly likely to make the 30-man field for the Tour Championship in Atlanta next week, while the likes of Henrik Stenson and Jason Day need to finish in the top half of the field in Chicago to avoid an unscheduled week off.
Jordan Spieth is in pole position following his runner-up finish to close friend Justin Thomas at the Dell Technologies Championship, with long-time FedExCup leader Dustin Johnson slipping to third place with two events remaining.
But last year's overall champion McIlroy needs to log his best finish since The Open to ensure a return to East Lake having dropped to 51st in the standings with his missed cut at TPC Boston a fortnight ago.
McIlroy needs to finish no lower than fourth this week to hoist himself back into the top 30, although he could squeeze into the Tour Championship field with a top-nine place depending on how others perform in Chicago.
His Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter is just four places above McIlroy and requires a top-five finish this week, while 18th place would elevate Masters champion Garcia into the season-ending decider.
The other star name currently on the outside looking in is Phil Mickelson, who heads to Conway Farms ranked two places below Garcia in 36th and needing to record a top-13 finish to reach the Tour Championship, although he may benefit from an extra week off to prepare for the Presidents Cup at the end of the month.
