Matt Kuchar Looks To Seize FedEx Cup At Tour Championship

With three playoff events down, the slim 30 player field will all have an opportunity to win the $10 million first prize at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, host of the 2010 Tour Championship.

Phil Mickelson headlines the star-studded field, which includes Ernie Els, Jim Furyk and most notably Matt Kuchar. Kuchar, who has held the top spot since winning the Barclays three weeks ago, looks to hang on and join Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh as the only winners of the FedEx Cup. Kuchar holds a strong advantage over the field given that the player leading going into the final tournament has won the title three straight years, since the Cup began in 2007.

However, the Cup will not be handed to Kuchar, as anyone in the top five can claim the Cup with a win at East Lake, including Dustin Johnson who was bumped up to No. 2 after winning last week at the BMW Championship. Charley Hoffman, Steve Stricker and Paul Casey round out the top five.

Notables who failed to qualify for the Tour Championship include Tiger Woods, Stuart Cink, and Rickie Fowler, all of whom were captains picks for this years Ryder Cup. Although the failure to make it to the Tour Championship is disappointing, Fowler had a stellar rookie season, turning in five Top-10 finishes and moving up to No. 32 in the world.

Other Ryder Cup competitors who missed the Tour Championship cut include Rory McIlroy, who although won the Quail Hollow Championship earlier this year; and world No. 13 Ian Poulter, who won the Match Play Championship back in February. The Tour Championship will begin Thursday, Sept. 23.