PGATOUR.com Coordinating Producer
One down, three to go.
Or is that 24 down, 119 to go?
For the next four weeks, the biggest movers could also be termed "the biggest survivors." You may move up, but if you don't move up enough, you could still be eliminated.
Incidentally, you won't see Doug LaBelle II on this week's list, but let it be said that he was a big mover, even if he only moved up one spot. You see, that one spot was into 120th, the final spot in next week's field for the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Last week: The Barclays
This week: Deutsche Bank Championship
Biggest mover: Rich Beem
He moved: 21 spots, from 134th to 113th
Because: He finished T7 at The Barclays
Speaking of guys who played their way into the Deutsche Bank Championship, Beem was nothing short of spectacular through most of last weekend's pressure cooker in Westchester, particularly in Thursday's opening round, when he posted a 64.
Beem's T7 finish is his best of the season, bettering a T9 effort way back in January at the Buick Invitational. Beem is also well-versed in dealing with pressure in the big events. He won the PGA Championship in 2002.
Still, Beem will have to improve his record at the Deutsche Bank Championship if this run is to continue. Beem missed the cut there last season.
Welcome to the top 70: Ian Poulter
He moved: 18 spots, from 77th to 59th
Because: He finished T9 at The Barclays
This is significant because the Playoff field gets trimmed to 70 after the Deutsche Bank Championship, so now instead of having to climb into the field, Poulter must merely maintain this week in Boston.
At The Barclays, Poulter got his third T9 finish of the season, highlighted by a Sunday 67. Poulter has also made the cut in each of his past five TOUR starts dating back to the U.S. Open back in June. In 16 events, Poulter has made the cut 13 times.
Poulter is still searching for a first career TOUR win, but he has seven international wins. As Steve Stricker proved Sunday, just because you haven't won in a little while doesn't mean you can't win soon.
Welcome to the top 100: Robert Garrigus
He moved: 16 spots, from 108th to 92nd
Because: He finished T9 at The Barclays
A 68 on Saturday followed by a 66 on Sunday helped Garrigus stave off elimination at The Barclays. Still, he'll have some work to do again this week in Boston if he wants to keep his Playoff run going.
There is reason to suggest that Garrigus is up to the challenge. He has made the cut in five of his last six events. In that time span, he's gained more than 1,700 FedExCup points. History is also kind to Garrigus when it comes to TPC Boston. He made the cut there last season in his only other appearance, finishing T57.
Garrigus is also likely to have the galleries behind him there -- he's fourth on TOUR in driving distance at 311.2 yards.
Welcome to the bubble: Steve Flesch
He moved: 11 spots, from 81st to 70th
Because: He finished T12 at The Barclays
There may not be a guy in the field with more pressure on him at the Deutsche Bank Championship than Steve Flesch, who sits in the all-important 70th position.
Still, he may be well-equipped. He's made five consecutive cuts, including a win at the Reno-Tahoe Open and a top-five at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. What's more, with his finish at The Barclays, Flesch crossed the $1 million mark in season earnings.
Flesch has a solid history at the Deutsche Bank Championship. In four appearances there, he's made three cuts, including a T7 in 2003 that featured four rounds in the 60s.
Welcome to the lead: Steve Stricker
He moved: 11 spots, from 12th to first
Because: He won The Barclays
Stricker said after is win in Westchester on Sunday that his thoughts were on breaking his six-year TOUR winless streak. Now that he's done that, one would have to wonder what will come next for the likeable and emotional 40-year-old.
Before Sunday, he was the highest-ranked FedExCup contender without a victory. Digest these stats: Three top-10 finishes in his past five events including Sunday's win and a runner-up finish at the AT&T National, seven top-10s, 11 top-25s, sixth on TOUR in money earned and seventh in scoring average.
Oh, and as he proved Sunday, he can put a little. What do they say you putt for?
