Jim McCabe takes his picks...

Some larger-than-life figures will be on hand for this weekend's Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)

To win

Geoff Ogilvy

2008 season: 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top 10s, 6 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 32d

Money list: 10th

DBC: 3 starts, 2 top 10s, 1 missed cut

Rounds: 10

Scoring average: 68.86

Bottom line: Needs strong performance to solidify chances for Tour Championship.

Top contenders

Anthony Kim

2008 season: 19 starts, 2 wins, 6 top 10s, 3 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: Sixth

Money list: Sixth

DBC: Missed the cut in his debut a year ago

Rounds: 2

Scoring average: 72.00

Bottom line: Brilliant talent, he hasn't missed a cut since April, and has emerged as one of the rare sure things in the game.

Sergio Garcia

2008 season: 16 starts, 1 win, 4 top 10s, 1 missed cut

FedEx Cup: Second

Money list: Eighth

DBC: T-17 last year, his only previous appearance

Rounds: 4

Scoring average: 69.50

Bottom line: Consistently puts himself in position to win; if only he can stop finding a way to lose.

Vijay Singh

2008 season: 20 starts, 2 wins, 7 top 10s, 5 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: First

Money list: Second

DBC: 4 starts, 1 win, 3 top fives, hasn't missed a cut

Rounds: 16

Scoring average: 67.69

Bottom line: Think he has a handle for TPC Boston? Ten of his 16 rounds have been in the 60s.

Sean O'Hair

2008 season: 21 starts, 1 win, 3 top 10s, 7 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 39th

Money list: 23d

DBC: Has made cut in all three starts, with one top 10 and two top 20s

Rounds: 12

Scoring average: 70.33

Bottom line: Played minitour golf in New England, won Vermont Open, and his on-course demeanor is great to watch.

Phil Mickelson

2008 season: 18 starts, 2 wins, 7 top 10s, 1 missed cut

FedEx Cup: Fourth

Money list: Third

DBC: Won last year, his only appearance

Rounds: 4

Scoring average: 67.00

Bottom line: Needed just one pro-am round last year to decide the course fit his style.

Hunter Mahan

2008 season: 23 starts, 4 top 10s, 8 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 25th

Money list: 32d

DBC: All of 'em, but best is T-22, and he's missed cut three times

Rounds: 14

Scoring average: 72.36

Bottom line: Hasn't shined here, but with Tour Championship and possible Ryder Cup on line, he could step up.

Padraig Harrington

2008 season: 13 starts, 2 wins, 6 top 10s, 2 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 23d

Money list: Fifth

DBC: Missed cut in his debut last year

Rounds: 2

Scoring average: 72.00

Bottom line: Arguably the fiercest competitor on the scene, he's eager to get back into the thick of the FedEx Cup.

Bill Haas

2008 season: 25 starts, 1 top 10, 11 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 81st

Money list: 107th

DBC: 2 starts, made both cuts, 1 top 10

Rounds: 8

Scoring average: 69.75

Bottom line: What would the playoffs be without a surprise? Why not someone who has shown he can play the course?

Ernie Els

2008 season: 13 starts, 1 win, 3 top 10s, 5 missed cuts

FedEx Cup: 52d

Money list: 30th

DBC: First appearance

Bottom line: Historically as consistent as they come, he's been helter-skelter and needs to play well to even get to next week.