These Three Big Names Still Need a Win to Get Into the FedExCup Playoffs

Last year, there was plenty of momentum with Tom Kim, the then-20-year-old who had special temporary membership on the PGA Tour but needed a win in the regular-season finale to reach the FedExCup playoffs.

Kim did just that, winning the Wyndham Championship in dramatic fashion (despite starting his tournament with a snowman).

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This year, there are several big-name golfers in same position—needing a win to reach the FedExCup playoffs. And this year, it’s more important than ever to get into the playoffs because those who qualify for the BMW Championship—the second leg of the playoffs—are automatically entered into all of the designated events in 2024.

Earlier this week, we talked about Justin Thomas, who needs a solo third to clinch a playoff spot. Let’s take a look at three more names who could use a walk-off win.

Shane Lowry

The 2019 Open Championship winner has come in the top 25 in more than half of the events he’s played in this season, but the FedExCup point system favors top-5 and top-10 finishes over placing in the top 25.

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Lowry only has one top-10 finish (fifth at The Honda Classic in February), so he stands at 76^th in the standings.

Only the top 70 will qualify for the #FedExCup Playoffs:

68. Ben Griffin
69. Cam Davis
70. Austin Eckroat
71. Ben Taylor
72. Garrick Higgo
73. K.H. Lee
76. Shane Lowry
79. Justin Thomas
81. Adam Scott

One of the tightest playoff pictures in history will unfold @WyndhamChamp 👀

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 1, 2023

Lowry doesn’t need a win since he only needs to just six spots, so if everyone ahead of him struggles, a top-25 finish will do the trick. But to guarantee a berth into the playoffs, he’ll have to finish solo third or better.

Billy Horschel

Now we’re getting closer to the win-and-in that Kim pulled off last year.

Horschel has been in steady decline since winning the Memorial in 2022. His last stroke-play top 10 came at the CJ Cup in October, but there were signs of life last week. Horschel spent most of the 3M Open in the top 10 before settling for 13^th.

This week, a win would guarantee a playoff spot for Horschel, but for him to even have a chance, he needs to at least tie for runner-up.

That’s three birdies in a row for Billy Horschel. 👀 pic.twitter.com/bbeub9nvwN

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 29, 2023

Akshay Bhatia

Wait, you say, didn’t Akshay Bhatia win a PGA Tour event? Yes, he sure did, but unlike Kim, the win didn’t erase his temporary member status.

That’s because the 22-year-old’s win at the Barracuda Championship was a joint event with the DP World Tour, and the rules of the event stated that non-members couldn’t earn FedExCup playoff points.

It’s an unfortunate loophole for Bhatia, but he did earn his PGA Tour card for 2024 with the win.

🚨#SECURING HIS CARD — Akshay Bhatia is now fully exempt and has full status on the PGA TOUR. Here was his putt on 18 to grab a share. Electric ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/iif1vkP2vj

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 24, 2023

For the rookie to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, he needs to come in solo second or better. A two-way tie for third could also do the trick if several other dominoes fall into place for him.

Cover Image via Twitter