Here is a look at what some of the golfers in the 30-player field need to do at the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup and the $10 million prize. Scenarios provided by the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker: The top five in the FedEx Cup points standings control their own fate — win the Tour Championship, and they are guaranteed the playoff title. McIlroy can finish as low as 29th and still have a mathematical chance to win the title. Woods has a reasonable chance with a top-three finish. Mickelson can finish as low as third and still have a mathematical chance.
Dustin Johnson: He is seventh in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlory and Woods must finish third or worse.
Jason Dufner: He is 10th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish fifth or worse, Woods must finish fourth or worse, Watney must finish third or worse, Phil Mickelson must finish third or worse and Snedeker must finish second or worse.
Bubba Watson: He is 11th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish seventh or worse, Woods must finish fifth or worse, Watney must finish fourth or worse and Phil Mickelson and Snedeker must finish third or worse.
Keegan Bradley: He is 14th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish ninth or worse, Woods must finish fifth or worse, Watney must finish fourth or worse, Mickelson and Snedeker must finish third or worse.
Matt Kuchar: He is 16th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish 10th or worse, Woods must finish fifth or worse, Watney must finish fourth or worse and Mickelson, Snedeker and Louis Oosthuizen must finish third or worse.
Ernie Els: He is 22nd in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish 14th or worse, Woods must finish sixth or worse, Watney and Mickelson must finish fourth or worse and Snedeker and Oosthuizen must finish third or worse.
Webb Simpson: He is 25th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish 19th or worse, Woods must finish sixth or worse, Watney and Mickelson must finish fourth or worse and Snedeker and Oosthuizen must finish third or worse.
Scott Piercy: He is 30th in the points standings and must win the Tour Championship and McIlroy must finish 29th or worse, Woods must finish seventh or worse, Watney must finish fifth or worse, Mickelson must finish fourth or worse and Snedeker and Oosthuizen must finish third or worse.
Note: There are several scenarios that could require a tiebreaker playoff following the completion of the Tour Championship.
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