FedExCup Final 30 preview: No. 28 Luke Donald

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The top 30 players in FedExCup points have advanced to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and now have a chance to win the FedExCup. Here's a detailed look at each player and how he made it to East Lake:
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Season in review

Luke Donald: 28th in FedExCup points (230 points after reset) Donald was one of two players who moved from outside the top 30 in FedExCup points to inside with a strong finish at the BMW Championship. Donald finished tied for 10th at Cog Hill and moved from No. 32 to No. 28, securing a tee time at East Lake Golf Club for the first time since the inception of the FedExCup. In 2007, Donald missed THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola by one spot (31st). In 2008, he was sidelined in 2008 after wrist surgery. His best performance of 2009 was a tie for second at the Verizon Heritage Classic, where he closed with weekend rounds of 65-66 (matched only by champion Brian Gay). Donald finished two shots back of winner Stewart Cink in a tie for fifth at the British Open, his career-best finish at the British Open and his best finish in a major championship since a tie for third at the 2006 PGA Championship. Donald has played well at East Lake Golf Club in the past, posting a tie for 14th and a tie for fifth in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Quick analysis

The Englishman had a few anxious moments on Sunday at Cog Hill as he waited to see if his tie for 10th would be enough to move him from 32nd into the top 30. It was, so now Donald can concentrate on winning, which he hasn't done since 2006. But he's had six top-10s, including a tie for fifth at the British Open, so he continues to give himself opportunities to get over the hump. -- Helen Ross

How Donald got here

Breaking down the FedExCup points won and rank after each start in 2009

Rank Change in rank Tournament Finish Points earned Points for year Points behind 28 +4 BMW Championship T10 327 1,570 5,626 32 -7 Deutsche Bank Championship T54 72.5 1,243 4,362 25 -2 The Barclays T31 177.500 1,170 3,211 23 0 PGA Championship T43 24.5 993 2,438 23 -2 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational T45 23.5 968 2,133 21 +1 RBC Canadian Open T24 44 945 1,114 22 +2 British Open Championship T5 110 901 1,158 24 -4 U.S. Open Championship CUT 0 791 825 20 +4 the Memorial Tournament T14 53 791 818 24 -1 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial T13 56.4 738 860 23 -8 THE PLAYERS Championship T37 30.5 682 749 15 +17 Verizon Heritage T2 245 651 699 32 -1 Masters Tournament T38 31.5 406 944 31 -11 Shell Houston Open CUT 0 375 915 20 -3 World Golf Championships-CA Championship T20 48 375 829 17 +4 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship T9 68.25 327 849 21 +3 Northern Trust Open T6 88.75 258 458 24 +22 Buick Invitational T7 82.5 170 477 46 -3 FBR Open T25 43 87 560 43 0 Sony Open in Hawaii T23 44 44 545

Previous Playoffs results

Year Barclay's Deutsche Bank BMW Champ. Tour Champ. Final FEC Position 2008 DNP DNP DNP DNP 105th 2007 CUT T60 DNP DNP 31st

Previous results at THE TOUR Championship

Year Finish Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4 Total To par Money won 2006 T5 73 67 69 68 277 -3 266,000 2005 T14 70 67 70 71 278 -2 143,866