Field Study: The Barclays

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Kenny Perry, Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson make up the top three players in FedExCup points in the field this week.

Aug. 21, 2008
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

A field of 135 players will tee off Thursday at The Barclays, the first event of this year's PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Here's a scouting report on each player (in order of their FedExCup ranking)::

Field Study: The Barclays

Rk.	Name	Country	Barclays starts	Best Finish/Year
2	Kenny Perry	USA	9	T3 (2005)
His run came to an abrupt halt in Akron
3	Phil Mickelson	USA	6	T7 (2007)
The FedExCup could atone for a major-less season
4	Padraig Harrington	IRELAND	4	1st (2005)
A win would convince fence-sitting Player of the Year voters
5	Anthony Kim	USA	1	T17 (2007)
Young gun could have an impact
6	Stewart Cink	USA	8	T3 (2001)
Travelers Championship winner needs to get back on track
7	Vijay Singh	FIJI	15	1st (1993, 1995, 2006)
He has three missed cuts and a win in his last four starts
8	Justin Leonard	USA	5	T7 (2005)
The Texan has missed only one cut in a consistent season
9	Ryuji Imada	JAPAN	2	T15 (2006)
His fourth top-10 of the season was his first win but he's cooled off since
10	Geoff Ogilvy	AUSTRALIA	5	T4 (2007)
Talented Aussie thrives when the conditions are tough
11	Robert Allenby	AUSTRALIA	5	T8 (2001)
With seven top-10s this year, it's only a matter of time
12	Sergio Garcia	SPAIN	8	1st (2001, 2004)
First appearance since the PGA disappointment; how will he respond?
13	Carl Pettersson	SWEDEN	4	T30 (2003)
Shot 21 under in winning last week; he's definitely playing well
14	Boo Weekley	USA	1	T35 (2007)
Has been relatively quiet since his win and the birth of his second child
15	Jim Furyk	USA	13	2nd (2005, 1998)
With six top-10s -- five of 'em top fives -- finishes this year, it's hard to believe he hasn't won
16	Sean O'Hair	USA	3	T25 (2007)
Picked up his second win earlier this year and gained confidence after working with a new coach
17	K.J. Choi	SOUTH KOREA	4	2nd (2007)
Hasn't maintained the momentum after posting three top-10s, including a win, in his first eight starts
18	D.J. Trahan	USA	4	T60 (2007)
A win would certainly catch the attention of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger
19	Stuart Appleby	AUSTRALIA	7	T17 (1997)
He finished second in Akron and posted a solid tie for 15th at the PGA
20	Trevor Immelman	SOUTH AFRICA	2	T13 (2006)
Masters champ missed the cut at the PGA in his last start
21	Steve Stricker	USA	2	1st (2007)
This was where his run started last year; can he recapture the magic?
22	J.B. Holmes	USA	2	T41 (2007)
Needs two big weeks to have a chance to play the Ryder Cup in his home state
23	Chad Campbell	USA	4	MC
Had three top-14 finishes before missing the cut at the PGA
24	Adam Scott	AUSTRALIA	4	2nd (2006)
Hasn't done much since winning the EDS Byron Nelson Championship
25	Jeff Quinney	USA	1	MC (2007)
Four missed cuts and a DQ in his last five starts don't bode well
26	Andres Romero	ARGENTINA	0
Rookie showed moxie to come back after a 78 to tie for seventh at the PGA
27	Ben Curtis	USA	2	T66 (2003)
Top-10s at the British Open and PGA show he's playing well
28	Ernie Els	SOUTH AFRICA	11	1st (1996, 1997)
Still fine-tuning his swing with Butch Harmon's help
29	Briny Baird	USA	7	T30 (2003)
Four rounds in the 60s in Greensboro should give him a boost
30	Stephen Ames	CANADA	4	T9 (2002)
He's had five top-10s but has yet to really get in the hunt
31	Hunter Mahan	USA	3	T17 (2007)
Ryder Cup hopeful has gotten hot at the right time
32	Bart Bryant	USA	9	T23 (1991)
Looking for his first top-10 in more than three months
33	Rod Pampling	AUSTRALIA	3	T35 (2007)
Has played well on tough courses like Congressional and Colonial
34	Woody Austin	USA	12	T12 (2007)
Was bitterly disappointed when he missed the cut at the PGA; can he get momentum back?
35	Chez Reavie	USA	0
One of the rookie's two top-10s was a win in Canada
36	Jerry Kelly	USA	10	T7 (2002)
A tie for ninth in Greensboro gave him some confidence
37	Billy Mayfair	USA	10	T7 (2005)
Has two runner-up finishes in 2008 but finished 78th last week
38	Steve Marino	USA	1	T69 (2007)
Hasn't missed a cut since the U.S. Open but a tie for third in Canada is his only top-10 in that stretch
39	Brian Gay	USA	9	T3 (2005)
Three top-10s since picking up his first TOUR win in Mexico
40	Daniel Chopra	SWEDEN	4	T42 (2004)
Looking to regain the form that enabled him to win at Kapalua
41	Steve Lowery	USA	11	9th (1998)
That win at Pebble Beach must seem like a long time ago
42	Camilo Villegas	COLOMBIA	1	T21 (007)
He was last year's big Playoff mover -- can he do it again?
43	Mike Weir	CANADA	6	T12 (2002)
Even without that beard and bodyguard, the Canadian could contend
45	Aaron Baddeley	USA	1	T25 (2007)
Has only broken 70 five times in his last 30 rounds
46	Fredrik Jacobson	SWEDEN	5	T5 (2006)
Swede has been solid since a missed cut at Torrey Pines with two top-10s
47	Nicholas Thompson	USA	0
Was playing the Nationwide Tour last year so a chance at the Playoffs is a plus
48	Tommy Armour III	USA	15	T10 (1988)
Veteran has had a feast or famine year
49	Brandt Snedeker	USA	2	MC (2007, 2004)
Has top-10s in two majors, but is battling to get that form back
51	Ken Duke	USA	2	MC (2004, 2007)
Quietly playing well with five top-10s in his last seven starts, including second in Milwaukee
52	Johnson Wagner	USA	1	T65 (2007)
His win in Houston is his only top 10 of the season
53	Heath Slocum	USA	4	T14 (2007)
Hasn't sustained the momentum of four top-10s in May and June
54	Parker McLachlin	USA	0
Legends Reno-Tahoe Open champ finds himself making his first Playoff appearance
55	Rory Sabbatini	SOUTH AFRICA	7	T2 (2004)
Sabbatini can't be pleased with no top-10s since January
56	Bubba Watson	USA	2	MC
Big hitter will need to find the tree-lined fairways here
57	Kevin Sutherland	USA	11	T7 (1998)
Needs a dose of confidence after struggling at generous Sedgefield last week
58	Retief Goosen	SOUTH AFRICA	4	T18 (2003)
Too bad this isn't a World Golf Championships event where he's had his two top-10s this year
59	Peter Lonard	AUSTRALIA	5	T9 (2002)
Hasn't finished higher than 68th in two starts since a tie for sixth in Akron
60	Tim Clark	SOUTH AFRICA	5	T9 (2004)
Can he follow his former roommate (Pettersson) into the winner's circle?
61	Rocco Mediate	USA	21	T14 (1987)
Regardless of how he plays, Rocco will have the fans on his side
62	Pat Perez	USA	6	T2 (2002)
Solid performer but hard on himself
63	Ian Poulter	ENGLAND	2	T9 (2006, 2007)
Needs two big weeks to impress European Ryder Cup Captain Nick Faldo
64	John Senden	AUSTRALIA	6	T7 (2005)
Third top-10 of the season came last week in Greensboro
65	Ben Crane	USA	3	T29 (2006)
Accurate driver who could prosper at Ridgewood
66	Charlie Wi	SOUTH KOREA	2	T57 (2005)
PGA Championship performer should give him confidence
67	Tom Pernice Jr.	USA	13	T5 (2006)
Another solid season for the veteran
68	Dudley Hart	USA	12	T12 (2005)
Veteran is making his Playoff debut
69	John Merrick	USA	1	MC (2007)
Only lasted one Playoff event last year but is in position to make at least three in 2008
70	Dean Wilson	USA	4	6th (2005)
Has shared third twice in his last six starts
71	Steve Elkington	AUSTRALIA	19	T2 (1996)
Can 46-year-old turn back the clock like another Aussie did at Royal Birkdale?
72	Paul Goydos	USA	11	T11 (1996)
Earned lots of fans with playoff loss at THE PLAYERS
73	Ryan Moore	USA	2	T51 (2005)
Has been quiet since that playoff defeat in Dallas
74	Nick O'Hern	AUSTRALIA	2	T35 (2007)
Ranks 21st in driving accuracy which could serve him well
75	Cliff Kresge	USA	3	T34 (2003)
This is his first $1 million season -- can he win more?
76	Mathew Goggin	AUSTRALIA	5	T9 (2006)
Needs to right the ship after missing his last three cuts
77	Scott McCarron	USA	3	MC (1995, 1996, 2000)
Solo second at Greensboro moved him deep into the standings
79	Charles Howell III	USA	2	62nd (2006)
That 69 on Sunday at Oakland Hills gave him a boost
80	Mark Wilson	USA	3	MC (2003, 2005, 2007)
Coming off top-10s in his last two starts
81	Matt Kuchar	USA	4	T35 (2007)
He's probably safe for at least one event but has missed his last four cuts
82	John Rollins	USA	7	2nd (2003)
He tied for second at Reno earlier this month
83	Kevin Na	USA	3	MC (2004, 2005, 2007)
Couldn't build on a ties for eighth and 11th last week at the Wyndham Championship
84	Steve Flesch	USA	7	T10 (1999)
His only top-10s this year have come at the Masters and PGA
85	Jonathan Byrd	USA	4	T36 (2003)
Should be safe for two Playoff events but he needs to play well to get to St. Louis
86	Brian Davis	ENGLAND	1	T54 (2007)
With top-20s in three of his last four starts, he's playing well at the right time
87	Corey Pavin	USA	15	T9 (1996)
The 48-year-old ranks 32nd in fairways hit, which should help at Ridgewood
88	Michael Letzig	USA	0
Rookie comes into his first Playoff event after tying for ninth last week
89	Fred Couples	USA	20	T4 (2004)
Popular veteran is making his first Playoff appearance after five top-25 finishes
90	Paul Casey	ENGLAND	0
Looking forward to his inaugural Playoffs and the chance to impress Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo
92	John Mallinger	USA	1	T72 (2007)
Has cooled off after a solid start
93	Brad Adamonis	USA	2	T76 (2004)
Nearly won the John Deere Classic but has missed his last two cuts
94	Nathan Green	AUSTRALIA	2	T47 (2006)
Three missed cuts isn't the sendoff you want before the Playoffs
95	Lucas Glover	USA	4	T22 (2005)
A frustrating year could get better with a strong Playoff run
97	Troy Matteson	USA	2	T48 (2007)
That tie for sixth in Milwaukee was a bright spot but he's missed six of nine cuts this summer
98	Jay Williamson	USA	9	10th (2001)
His first Playoff appearance came courtesy of the John Deere Classic playoff loss
99	Eric Axley	USA	0
He finished 145th last year but now he gets his Playoff chance
100	Scott Verplank	USA	8	T11 (2003)
Vastly different Playoff start -- he was 11th last year
101	George McNeill	USA	1	MC (2007)
Steady sophomore season for the ex-Florida State golfer
102	Kevin Streelman	USA	0
Rookie picked up his first top-10 last week at Sedgefield
103	Greg Kraft	USA	11	T11 (1996)
That win in Puerto Rico gave him more than enough points to make the Playoffs
104	Mark Calcavecchia	USA	13	T4 (2007)
A year ago he entered the Playoffs 20th; now he's got to fight to survive another week
105	Charley Hoffman	USA	2	T48 (2007)
He hasn't had a top-10 finish since April
106	Matt Jones	AUSTRALIA	0
Young Aussie has missed three of his last four cuts entering his first Playoffs
107	Bill Haas	USA	1	T48 (2007)
He's had seven top-25 finishes this year to improve his Playoff start
108	Shane Bertsch	USA	3	T40 (1996)
Takes confidence from a tie for ninth at Sedgefield into his first Playoff appearance
109	Joe Ogilvie	USA	7	T16 (2004)
Coming off a consistent stretch with no missed cuts and two top 10s in 10 starts
110	TimW ilkinson	NEW ZEALAND	0
Aussie makes his first Playoff and Barclays start
111	Nick Watney	USA	3	T25 (2006, 2007)
Started last year's Playoffs in better position, tied for 35th
112	Zach Johnson	USA	2	T23 (2004)
Johnson wants desperately to impress Azinger so he'll need to play well
113	Vaughn Taylor	USA	3	T60 (2007)
Can build on two top-20s in his last four starts
114	Rich Beem	USA	6	T7 (2007)
That third in Greensboro got last year's Cinderfella back into the Playoffs
115	Charles Warren	USA	3	MC (2005, 2006, 2007)
Needs to play well to make it to Boston
116	Bo Van Pelt	USA	6	T9 (2004)
A tie for second in Puerto Rico is his only top-10 this year
117	Dustin Johnson	USA	0
The rookie has cooled off after a solid start to the season
118	Brett Quigley	USA	11	T3 (2006)
Oddly, he starts the Playoffs in the same spot as last year, but with a healthy knee
120	Patrick Sheehan	USA	4	T63 (2005)
This time last year he was playing on the Nationwide Tour
121	David Toms	USA	8	T12 (2002)
This veteran needs to play well to make it to Boston next week
122	Richard S. Johnson	SWEDEN	2	T54 (2003)
The Swede earned his first Playoff appearance with his first TOUR win
123	James Driscoll	USA	2	MC (2005, 2006)
This University of Virginia product needs a confidence boost after five missed cuts in his last eight starts
125	Tom Lehman	USA	14	T2 (1996)
Seven months away from his 50th birthday, Lehman is in the Playoff mix
126	Tim Petrovic	USA	7	T21 (2007)
He made a big jump last year with a tie for second in Greensboro and needs another this week to survive
127	Jason Day	AUSTRALIA	0
Rookie has cooled off of late
128	Martin Laird	SCOTLAND	0
Played his way into the Playoffs at Greensboro; can he keep the momentum?
129	Joe Durant	USA	9	T42 (2000)
Didn't make it past The Barclays last year; needs to play well to avoid similar fate
130	Jason Gore	USA	4	T56 (2001)
Ties for eighth and 11th in his last four starts have Gore on the right path
131	Angel Cabrera	ARGENTINA	3	T33 (2002)
He hasn't been able to build on last year's U.S. Open success
132	Ryan Palmer	USA	2	T53 (2006)
Enters The Barclays one spot higher than last year and still with work to do
133	Tim Herron	USA	3	T9 (1996)
Still looking for his first top-10 of the season
134	Michael Allen	USA	11	T22 (2005)
He's making his first Playoff appearance and needs to play well to remain
135	J.J. Henry	USA	8	T16 (2004)
Played his way in Sunday; then home to see his second child born
136	Frank Lickliter II	USA	6	T41 (2007)
Needs a good finish to extend his stay
137	Jon Mills	CANADA	0
Canadian is still looking for his first top-10
138	Chris DiMarco	USA	8	T9 (2004)
A forgettable year could become memorable with a win
139	Jesper Parnevik	SWEDEN	8	T5 (2000)
Tie for 15th in Greensboro punched his Playoff ticket
141	Justin Bolli	USA	1	MC (2005)
Starts the Playoffs one spot behind last year with work to do
142	Jeff Overton	USA	2	T29 (2006)
A year ago he reached the second Playoff event but this year he's got work to do
143	Glen Day	USA	4	T24 (1996)
Has made eight straight cuts but must play well
144	Lee Janzen	USA	15	1st (1994)
In 2007 he was three spots out of the Playoffs; this year he made it on the number