Tour finals, Presidents Cup spots sought at Cog Hill

With half as many players and twice as much at stake, the $8 million BMW Championship that starts Thursday at Cog Hill figures to be among the most dramatic events of the US PGA Tour season. In addition to the $1.44 million top prize, a field of 70 in the third US PGA playoff tournament will be trying to claim berths in the Presidents Cup and finish in the top 30 in playoff points to reach next week's Tour Championship. American Webb Simpson won the Deutsche Bank Championship two weeks ago to seize the overall points lead and clinch a berth on the US squad that will defend the Presidents Cup in November at Australia against the Internationals. That has Simpson thinking ahead to next week's season-ending showdown in Atlanta where the season points champion will walk off with $10 million. "You know, $10 million is a ridiculously large amount of money and an unbelievable prize," Simpson said. "It is very exciting. "At the end of the day, we want to win golf tournaments, but when $10 million is at stake, you can't not think about that. "I know in Atlanta it will be a lot more focus I'm sure on the $10 million." Only the top five on the points list after this week will control their fate next week, being able to take the $10 million with a victory at East Lake. The rest must have help to overcome players ahead of them on the list. US veteran Dustin Johnson is second on the season points list followed by American Matt Kuchar, World No. 1 Luke Donald of England and American Brandt Snedeker. Australian Jason Day, the Masters and US Open runner-up, is sixth. "Looking forward to a good week. Looking to try and win and go into Atlanta in the No. 1 spot," Donald said. "It's good to be consistent and have chances, but nothing is better than winning." This week's winner figures to take one of the top-five spots. That means everyone at the top will be trying to hang on. "It's going to be in the back of my head, wanting to remain in the No. 1 position or stay in the top five, but the only thing I can really control is what I do," Simpson said. "I can't really control what Luke or Dustin or any of the other guys do." Also fighting for points are those near the 30th and final qualifying spot for next week, including Australian Aaron Baddeley in 25th, South Africans Rory Sabbatini in 26th and Charl Schwartzel in 27th and South Korean Yang Yong-Eun in 28thUS veteran Dustin Johnson is second on the season points list followed by American Matt Kuchar, World No. 1 Luke Donald of England and American Brandt Snedeker. Australian Jason Day, the Masters and US Open runner-up, is sixth. "Looking forward to a good week. Looking to try and win and go into Atlanta in the No. 1 spot," Donald said. "It's good to be consistent and have chances, but nothing is better than winning." This week's winner figures to take one of the top-five spots. That means everyone at the top will be trying to hang on. "It's going to be in the back of my head, wanting to remain in the No. 1 position or stay in the top five, but the only thing I can really control is what I do," Simpson said. "I can't really control what Luke or Dustin or any of the other guys do." Also fighting for points are those near the 30th and final qualifying spot for next week, including Australian Aaron Baddeley in 25th, South Africans Rory Sabbatini in 26th and Charl Schwartzel in 27th and South Korean Yang Yong-Eun in 28th In the precarious 30th position is US rookie Kyle Stanley with Scotsman Martin Laird just behind him. England's Brian Davis and Justin Rose are 33rd and 34th in points with US veteran Jim Furyk 35th. South African Ernie Els will try to become the first player to start the last pre-playoff event outside the top 125 and reach the Tour Championship. He ranks 68th in points and will need to be among the top three to advance again. And then there is the Presidents Cup. Six players have clinched US team berths on points: Kuchar, Johnson, Simpson, Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney. Bubba Watson has all-but secured a berth and Tiger Woods has been promised a captain's pick by US leader Fred Couples. That basically leaves four open spots entering the final week, with Furyk, Hunter Mahan and David Toms the men to beat on points. Snedeker needs to finish 43rd or better to break into the top 10. Bill Haas must finish 11th or better. "A lot of guys I need to beat this week," Toms said. "Hopefully in the end it'll work out for me." The Internationals are basically set for the showdown at Royal Melbourne with Day, Yang, Aussie Adam Scott, K.J. Choi and Kim Kyung-tae of South Korea, Japan's Ryo Ishikawa and South Africans Schwartzel, Els and Retief Goosen. Aussie Geoff Ogilvy, who has striggled with illness and finger and shoulder injuries this year, will be trying to stay ahead of idle South African Louis Oosthuizen to claim the 10th and final automatic spot. "I have to have a reasonable week to hold my position," Ogilvy said. "It's definitely not one that I would like to miss. I would like to play, yeah." Internationals captain Greg Norman will have two picks as well, but an Aussie contingent that once looked to be five now has only Scott and Day secure. "It makes it harder for him," Ogilvy said. "If he had five Australians already in it, maybe he doesn't have any other Australians to pick. "He does seem to be very in touch with what we're doing over here. I'm sure he'll end up making the right choices." Presidents Cup captain's selections will be revealed on September 27.