Following the conclusion of the third leg of this year’s 2017 FedExCup, there are now just five players left with a chance of lifting golf’s biggest prize – in financial terms.
With Australia’s Marc Leishman taking the spoils at the BMW Championship at Conway Farms, all eyes are turning to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, where the top five in the FedEx Cup rankings – Jordan Speith, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Leishman and Jon Rahm – all have a shot at glory, and the $10m payout.
Last year’s FedExCup champion, Rory McIlroy, will not be there, following his disappointing run in the series, while Rickie Fowler occupies that most disappointing of positions, sixth, which means he can’t take the FedEx Cup title even if he wins the Tour Championship next week. The same situation applies to seventh-place Hideki Matsuyama, whose form has also tailed off slightly as the season reaches its climax.
TOP FIVE TO WATCH AT THE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Here are the top five players who will control their own fate at the Tour Championship. Should any of these five win at East Lake, he will claim the FedExCup. In addition, there are certain scenarios for each player that could lead to a FedExCup title without winning the Tour Championship, providing their rivals finish lower down the leaderboard.
- JORDAN SPIETH: Shot a final round 65 at the BMW to finish tied for seventh at 13 under par. The reigning Open champion, who won the FedEXCup in 2015, becomes the first top-ranked player to head to East Lake without a win in the playoffs, although he finished second at the Northern Trust and the Dell Championship, so his clearly in great form.
- JUSTIN THOMAS: The reigning PGA champion shot an even-par 71 to finish tied 47th at the BMW Championship. Won the Dell Championship by three shots to put him into the reckoning. It was his fifth win of the season.
- DUSTIN JOHNSON: Shot a 7-under 64 – his best round of the week – to move into a tie for 33rd at 8 under in the BMW. Won the first event of the play-offs, the Northern Trust, after beating Spieth in a playoff.
- MARC LEISHMAN: The 33 year old Australian completed wire-to-wire win at the BMW, with a closing 67 to finish at 23 under and win by five strokes. Advancing to East Lake for just the second time in his career, after making his debut in 2009.
- JON RAHM: The young Spaniard finish tied fifth at the BMW Championship for his third consecutive top-five finish in this year’s FedExCup Playoffs, and the Irish Open winner goes to East Lake with the most consistent form.
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The Tour Championship takes place from September 21-24 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Follow the live action on Sky Sports Golf.