Garrigus has challenge ahead as he vies for top 125 finish

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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In his dreams, Robert Garrigus knows exactly how things would play out.

He plays well during the first three events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup and works his way into the top 30 in the standings. He goes home to Phoenix during the off week to be with his wife as she gives birth to their first child, a son, and then heads to Atlanta for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

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Another 59 in works?

"That would be a good scenario for me," Garrigus said. "That would mean I'm in the Masters and all the fun stuff next year."

First, though, he has to finish in the top 125 in the FedExCup standings so he makes the field for The Barclays. And since Garrigus enters this week's Wyndham Championship at No. 122 that's hardly a sure bet.

After all, five players on the outside looking in played their way into the top 125 last year at Sedgefield Country Club. The Wyndham Championship is the final event of the regular season and as such, the last chance to earn points towards the Playoffs.

The thresholds after The Barclays get even smaller. Only the top 100 advance to the Deutsche Bank Championship, the top 70 into the BMW Championship and the top 30 into THE TOUR Championship where the winner of the $10 million bonus is determined. So any points gained this week are big since the reset doesn't happen until the final survivors get to East Lake.

"The FedExCup is a huge deal for us," Garrigus said. "There's a lot of retirement money, there's a lot of money in the tournaments. ... When I was a rookie, when everybody is saying there's going to be a playoff system next year and they're going to go throwing there's a lot of money around, FedEx stepped in and they really helped us out.

"It means a lot to us. It's pretty much like four majors. The next four weeks, the money is big, it's big for next year, for me, with my PGA TOUR card, not having to go to q-school, all kinds of stuff like that."

This week, though, it's first-things-first for Garrigus. He would have had an additional 255 points had he not triple bogeyed the 72nd hole and lost in a playoff at the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew. He would have ranked 56th, not 122nd and the pressure wouldn't be as keen.

"It's really all mental," Garrigus said. "It's hard to keep from doing it but if I concentrate on every shot, not on, 'Oh my gosh, I'm on the bubble of the FedExCup' (I should be okay). I've been here before. ... I feel like I'm playing well and I'm having fun, the caddy and I are having a good time. ... I'm really stroking it well and I've been hitting it good.

"I'm not going to worry about it. Like I said, I get to play golf for a living. Even if I miss the cut and 'Oh, my gosh, I'm not in the FedExCup.' I'm going to be home with my wife and be able to help her and I'll be able to be there for the baby's birth. It's really a win-win."

According to calculations by PGA TOUR officials, only players ranked 96th or higher are guaranteed to be compeing at Ridgewood Country Club, although players currently 97th-120th are probable. The six players ranked between 120-125 are in Greensboro, including the bubble boy, Michael Letzig.

And there are 67 ranked from Nos. 126-200 who could all jump into the top 125 with a win of a big finish. That's what Kevin Stadler did last year when he lost in a playoff at the Wyndham Championship -- but vaulted from 133rd to 76th as a consolation prize.

Immelman

Among the players ranked below 125th in the field this week are some big names, too. Take former Masters champions Mike Weir, who is No. 126, and Trevor Immelman, who clocks in at 154th, as well as No. 133 Henrik Stenson, who won the 2009 PLAYERS Championship.

"Obviously I want to be there," said Immelman, who has battled several health issues over the last two years. "There's no doubt about it. It's something that every player on the PGA TOUR is trying to make sure that he's a part of, plain and simple, and so from that aspect, I want to be there for sure. ...

"Absolutely I would love to be there next week but if it doesn't work out, I'll take those weeks off and try and prepare well for the Fall Series ... because for me right now everything to make sure that by the time January 1st comes, I'm able to come out here and play a full schedule next year and play the way I know I can."

Just as Immelman is motivated to make the Playoffs, there are 36 players safely ranked above No. 96 in the field who would like to improve their positions. Carl Pettersson, who won the Wyndham Championship in 2008, and the defending champion Ryan Moore are ranked Nos. 20 and 35, respectively.

"Obviously, I'm excited to be back," Moore said. "This is my first time with a chance to defend the title and, you know, really is one of my favorite tournaments of the year. ... And beyond that I'm in a good position right now. Obviously I'd love to move up a little bit going into the playoffs over the next few weeks.

"This is a great tournament to give me a good boost and kind of get myself in the top 20 after this week."