Rickie Fowler, PGA Tour players lurking for survival, spot in playoffs

With just seven events left until the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the race to secure a spot in the Top 70 is heating up. The schedule includes six regular events, a major championship, and the Olympics before the FedEx St. Jude Championship from August 15-18. Only the top 70 players will advance to this first playoff event, where they will compete to move on to the next stages.

**Key Players on the Bubble**

Last season, the PGA Tour revised its playoff qualification criteria, reducing the number of eligible players from 125 to 70 for the initial event. From there, only the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship, and finally, the top 30 will compete in the Tour Championship in Atlanta for the FedEx Cup title.

Let’s take an early look at some notable players currently outside the Top 70 who need strong finishes to secure their playoff spots:

1. **Nicolai Højgaard (No. 74)**: Højgaard, a former Ryder Cup participant, has had a mixed season with a runner-up finish, one top 10, and two top 25s. Despite these achievements, he has missed five cuts and hasn’t placed in the top 20 since the Masters, where he finished T16. His best recent performance was a T35 at the RBC Canadian Open.

2. **Justin Rose (No. 75)**: The English golfer has struggled this season, with only one top 10 finish and two top 25s. Rose’s standout performance was a T6 at the PGA Championship, but he missed the cut at the U.S. Open. He needs to build momentum to secure a playoff spot.

3. **Keith Mitchell (No. 76)**: Mitchell has been close but still needs a strong push in the coming weeks to secure his place in the playoffs.

4. **Nick Dunlap (No. 87)**: Dunlap is another player who must step up his game to climb into the Top 70 and ensure a spot in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

5. **Rickie Fowler (No. 93)**: Fowler’s season has been inconsistent, with only two top 25 finishes and five missed cuts in 18 starts. His best finish was a T18 at the RBC Heritage, and he finished T31 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Fowler needs a solid run in the upcoming events to avoid missing the playoffs.

6. **Joel Dahmen (No. 103)**: Dahmen, currently ranked 103rd, faces a tough challenge to break into the Top 70 but still has time to turn things around.

7. **Daniel Berger (No. 123)**: Berger has had a challenging season and needs a significant improvement to make the playoff cut.

8. **Webb Simpson (No. 131)**: Simpson is far behind the playoff line and requires an exceptional performance in the remaining events to qualify.

9. **Matt Kuchar (No. 140)**: Kuchar, a veteran player, is also outside the Top 70 and needs a substantial effort to advance.

**Time is Ticking**

While there are still opportunities to earn vital FedEx Cup points, the clock is ticking for these players. The road to Memphis and beyond is challenging, but a strong finish to the regular season could change their fortunes and secure a playoff berth. The next few weeks will be crucial as they strive to earn their spot in the coveted FedEx Cup Playoffs.