Ryder Cup roster scenarios for Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed entering the final round at The Barclays

2016’s been a microcosm of Rickie Fowler’s career as a professional on the PGA Tour.

After getting off to a good start in January and February and reaching the Top 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, a year where some thought the orange-clad star might dominate didn’t materialize. He struggled at major championships all season, and entered a particular run of bad form after blowing a Sunday lead at Quail Hollow in the first week of May.

But even in the midst of on-course struggles, Fowler’s still as popular as ever -- maybe even more so. He’s the ideal vehicle for golf marketers to reach the sought-after 18-35 advertising demographic, becoming a rock star on Snapchat and other social mediums while he’s battled swing struggles. He was one of the bigger names on the much-discussed (or mocked) Ryder Cup Task Force and, in-form or out, one of the biggest draws for fans in American golf. It’s why despite being generally known as one of the most likeable, approachable individuals on Tour, he’s still often slapped by peers in anonymous player surveys as one of the most “overrated” on the circuit.

After a solid opening three rounds, a win Sunday at The Barclays -- the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs -- would do quite a bit to quell some of those claims. Here are three things to watch for Sunday, including your Ryder Cup berth-clinching scenarios, at Bethpage.

Rickie’s chances of not needing a captain’s pick entering this week were slim. He’s looked to be somewhat out of sorts all summer -- and the idea of him bringing home a high enough finish at Bethpage to make the roster seemed like a bit of a pipe dream.

But that’s exactly the position he’s put himself in through three rounds. Any top-three finish will put him into the Top 8 automatic spots and leave Davis Love III to burn his four captain’s selections on someone other than Fowler.

Sitting in eighth entering the week, Patrick Reed’s own Ryder Cup fate could’ve been at risk with Fowler’s great play. But he’s answered the call himself, and virtually secured his spot on the roster. Instead, it’ll likely be Zach Johnson on the outside looking in if things hold through the final 18 holes. Johnson’s had a fairly pedestrian year after winning the 2015 Open, so his exit from the automatic spots could open a spot for a younger player like Daniel Berger or Justin Thomas.

A win this week wouldn’t just help Rickie in the Ryder Cup race. While this is the last week to play for an automatic spot on the Ryder Cup roster, it’s the first event of the richest event in golf. If he’s able to hold off the competition, Fowler will jump all the way from 28th to 1st in the FedExCup race -- and be in the pole position for the $10 million prize heading to the second of the four legs next week in Boston, where he’ll be the defending champion.

But it’s hardly going to be easy, and it won’t just be because of Reed giving chase. Bethpage’s major championship pedigree has provided a major championship quality leaderboard through three rounds. Adam Scott enters the final round in solo third place two shots behind Fowler and one behind Reed, while Jason Day and Dustin Johnson are another two strokes behind, starting Sunday at 5-under-par. That’s plenty close enough for the world’s top two players to take home the trophy, the $1.53 million winner’s share and the lead in the Playoffs heading to TPC Boston.

Mustaches will play a prominent role on Sunday. Rickie and Justin Thomas are both rocking playoff mustaches for the next month. They are excellent.

Maybe it’s all the two needed to find the stellar form of #SB2K16, once again.

Final round coverage gets underway Sunday on CBS at 2 p.m. ET.