3 things you need to know about the 2014 Tour Championship
The PGA makes its final stop of the 2014 tournament season this weekend with the Tour Championship teeing off Thursday morning at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
There are just 29 golfers in the field with one last opportunity to make hay - and lots of it - in 2014.
Here are three things you need to know.
$18 million in prize money
This field won't have to worry about projected cut lines, major championship qualifying or squandered tour cards, but the gripping is bound to be tight with $18 million worth of prize money on the line.
All 29 players are in contention for the FedEx Cup title and the $10 million pot of gold awarded to winner this weekend - a payout that dwarfs the tournament's actual $1.4 million winner's share.
Six players, including points leader Chris Kirk and last weekend's BMW Champion Billy Horschel, can claim the prize outright, while 23 others will need a few variables to fall in their favor to walk away eight figures richer.
The favorite
Rory McIlroy took to the FedEx Cup playoffs on a three-tournament win streak after capturing the season's final major championship at the PGA. During that run, the World No. 1 carded just a single round above 70 - which so happened to be the one he signed to clinch the British Open title.
Since entering the playoff season as the overwhelming favorite, McIlroy has carded six rounds above 70 and rediscovered the yips that has plagued him on the greens in the past.
But despite clearly not being at his best, McIlroy's fate - much like on Sunday at the last two major championships - remains in his hands. He will add another trophy to his mantle (and another $10 million) with a victory, and can still win with a finish as low as fourth - with some help.
Need a 30th?
The Tour Championship is designated for the top 30 golfers in the points standing, so why are only 29 men in the field this weekend?
Ahh, right. DJ.
Despite five times the points available over the last three weeks in qualifying for this weekend's tournament, Dustin Johnson, who hasn't played since July 27 after leaving the tour to combat personal issues, still finished in the top 30.
Why not just add Stuart Appleby, who finished just 14 points behind Johnson, to round out the field and the weekend's pairings?