Fall Series preview: Answers to the five biggest questions

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Sea Island's Seaside course is the home of the newest Fall Series event, the McGladrey Classic starting the week of Oct. 4.

PGATOUR.COM's Brian Wacker takes a look at five key questions as we head into the five-tournament Fall Series.

1. Will someone use the Fall Series as a springboard to success in 2011?

Enter Exhibit A, Matt Kuchar. A year ago, he didn't even qualify for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. This year, he led the PGA TOUR in top-10s with 11, which included a victory at The Barclays, and nearly won the FedExCup. And you could certainly argue that Kuchar's success this season carried over from a strong Fall Series last year with two top-10s, including a victory at the Turning Stone Resort Championship. Kuchar then opened the 2010 season with top-three finishes in two of his first three starts.

2. Who needs to play well in the Fall Series to secure a TOUR card for 2011?

Without a doubt the most intriguing name that's on the outside looking in entering the Fall Series is John Daly. He has no plans to go to q-school, which means if he wants to obtain a card for next season he'll have to play well over the next month. Daly has some serious work to do, though. He enters this week's Viking Classic 194th in money and with just one top-25 all year. Some other notable names in the same situation: Brett Quigley, Chris DiMarco and Rich Beem.

3. What's new in this year's Fall Series?

TEN WHO MUST SHINE: Ryan Smithson selects the 10 players who need to play well during the Fall Series. Story FROM A TO Z: Take the Fall Series. Now take the alphabet. Combine the two. Here's what you've got. List THE PRESSURE'S ON: For those outside the top 125 on the money list, it's time to make your move, writes Stan Awtrey. Story KODAK CHALLENGE: The $1 million prize is on the line. Here are the top contenders going into the Fall Series. Story TOP 100 MONEY LEADERS: Here's the list of top 100 money earners since 2007. List

There are five tournaments that make up the Fall Series, beginning with the Viking Classic and ending with the Children's Miracle Network Classic. New for this year is the inaugural McGladrey Classic, which will be played at Sea Island and therefore should boast a pretty formidable field (Davis Love III is the host). The other events include the Frys.com Open and the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open with the Turning Stone Resort Championship having moved to the FedExCup portion of the schedule. The Frys.Com Open, incidentally, will be played at a new course -- CordeValle in San Martin, Calif., which replaces Grayhawk. Thus, of the five Fall Series events, two will be played on courses unfamiliar to most of the field.

4. Who has performed the best during the Fall Series?

While there are no FedExCup points available, the money still spends the same and it's worked out pretty well for George McNeill, who tops the all-time career money list in Fall Series events at more than $2 million. McNeill has been pretty consistent in the Fall Series, earning at least $498,000 each of the last three years. There are also some other names you might not expect to see on the ist, including: Justin Leonard (4th; $1,846,525), Mike Weir (7th; $1,470,716), Davis Love III (8th; $1,419,689), Dustin Johnson (12th; $1,206,440) and Zach Johnson (17th; $1,045,790).

5. How much drama will unfold?

Last year, Rich Beem shot a final-round 68 at the Children's Miracle Network Classic to finish in tie for 24th. That was enough to keep him inside the top 125 on the money list (he finished No. 122), but he had to do some serious sweating. After Beem finished his round, he stood behind the 18th green watching a monitor with the projected money list. His name flip-flopped twice before he eventually had to walk away, unable to take the pressure. Meanwhile, Jimmy Walker and Nicholas Thompson played their way into the top 125 in the final week, while David Duval and Robert Garrigus missed the cut and missed out on securing full status. This week's Ryder Cup obviously will be intense, but while those guys play for their respective teams, many of the players in the Fall Series will be playing for their livelihoods.

In addition, there is also a $1 million prize on the line in the Kodak Challenge. Last year, Kevin Streelman made birdie on the 17th hole at the Children's Miracle Network Classic to secure the inaugural Kodak Challenge award. You can bet the players in contention this year will be aware of their status going into the final few events.