Jim McCabe takes his picks...
To win
Geoff Ogilvy
2008 season: 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top 10s, 6 missed cuts
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. 