Marquee names on the bubble as Playoffs approach

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Three weeks remain in the PGA TOUR regular season and, with opportunities to earn FedExCup points at a premium, several marquee players find themselves either on the bubble or just outside the top 125 on the FedExCup points list. The top 30 players on the FedExCup points list following the BMW Championship (September 7-13) earn an invitation to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the finale of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, Sept. 22-27 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga.

Sergio Garcia, who lost in a playoff in last year's TOUR Championship to Camilo Villegas, is one of the high-profile players still trying to secure a spot in this year's field. Garcia enters play this week at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational No. 121 in the FedExCup standings. Despite not posting a victory, Garcia enjoyed a solid run through the 2008 Playoffs. In addition to his solo second at THE TOUR Championship, Garcia notched a T5 finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship, a T20 at the BMW Championship and a second runner-up finish, also in sudden death, at The Barclays.

Two more players looking for good finishes over the next three weeks to gain valuable FedExCup points and safely move within the top 125 are Stuart Appleby and three-time major champion Padraig Harrington. An eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Appleby (No. 139) produced a T10 last year at THE TOUR Championship and finished No. 17 in the final FedExCup standings. Harrington (No. 142), who won the final two major championships of the 2008 season, competed in the first three events of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup but failed to make the field for THE TOUR Championship.

A player who unexpectedly finds himself on the bubble for different reasons is 59-year-old Tom Watson. After his memorable run at the British Open two weeks ago, Watson ranks No. 116 on the FedExCup list and would have the opportunity to compete at The Barclays if the field were finalized today.

Michael Bradley, a winner earlier this year on the PGA TOUR at the Puerto Rico Open, currently sits at No. 125. Here is a look at players ranked No. 120-130 on the FedExCup points list entering this week: