Read more: 2024 3M Open Shaping Up For An Exciting Battle: Picks, Predictions, Field, Odds

As the PGA Tour's 2024 regular season heads into its final stretches, several notable stars find themselves on the bubble for qualifying for the lucrative FedEx Cup Playoffs. With only 70 spots available instead of the previous 125, the competition is tighter than ever to secure a spot in the postseason and retain fully exempt status for the following season. After carefully analyzing the current FedEx Cup points standings and form of those on the outside looking in, here are some of the biggest names facing uncertainty.

TIER 3: Not gonna happen

15. Tiger Woods (No. 222 in FedEx Cup)

He'll likely require something miraculous over the next two weeks, but multiple major champion Tiger Woods unfortunately finds himself well down the list at 222nd in the standings with no points earned since the Masters. 

14. Kevin Kisner (No. 211 in FedEx Cup)

Among those faces with an especially uncertain future is veteran Kevin Kisner. Plagued by inconsistency off the tee and with his approach play, Kisner has made just four cuts in 16 starts while languishing outside the top 170 in strokes gained in key categories. His best result was a modest T64, a far cry from the contending form we're used to seeing from Kisner on his best Sundays. 

13. Francesco Molinari (No. 203 in FedEx Cup)

Joining Woods on the outside is Italy’s Francesco Molinari. Francesco Molinari has also struggled to recapture the magic of recent years, making just four cuts while freefalling down the world rankings since his Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie in 2018.

12. Padraig Harrington (No. 177 in FedEx Cup)

At 52, Padraig Harrington continues to defy his age but sustained success has evaded the three-time major winner this season. He’ll need to lean on experience earned over a long career to break through.

TIER 2: So you’re saying there’s a chance…

11. Matt Kuchar (No. 155 in FedEx Cup)

Veteran Matt Kuchar had made 17 straight FedEx Cup Playoffs but that impressive streak is under threat with the American perched on the bubble in 155th. Consistency alone may not be enough this time.

10. Zach Johnson (No. 148 in FedEx Cup)

Fellow long-time Tour pro Zach Johnson sits just inside the cutoff line but as a past Masters champion, he will know quality results are required down the stretch.

9. Webb Simpson (No. 145 in FedEx Cup)

Webb Simpson’s world-class abilities have been intermittent in recent times; he’ll hope the pressurespurs one final hot streak from 145th.

8. Daniel Berger (No. 136 in FedEx Cup)

American Daniel Berger has proven himself highly capable of contending on the game's biggest stages in recent years, including a starring role for the International Team at the 2021 Ryder Cup. However, injuries have disrupted Berger's progression as he aimed to establish himself at the summit of the sport. This season, glimpses of his best have come through with a T13 at the Byron Nelson and a T21 at the U.S. Open, but more has been required to satisfy a talent of his caliber. Now down at 136th in the FedEx Cup, Berger knows bringing his complete game more consistently is his only route back into the postseason mix.

7. Joel Dahmen (No. 113 in FedEx Cup)

Joel Dahmen currently resides in a precarious 113th position in the FedEx Cup points rankings. There was concern for Dahmen after a slow start to the season saw him miss multiple cuts. However, the 36-year-old responded well by making eight consecutive weekends, a streak that included two top-20 finishes that pushed him back towards the bubble line.

6. Rickie Fowler (No. 100 in FedEx Cup)

Consistency keeps Rickie Fowler afloat but even his flawless cut record may not suffice from 100th place without overdue better finishes.

TIER 1: The bubble boys

5. Nicolai Hojgaard (No. 77 in FedEx Cup)

As one of the fresh young faces who lifted Europe to Ryder Cup glory last September, the 23-year-old Hojgaard carried high hopes entering this season. He began in blistering form too, with a sensational solo second at Torrey Pines followed by a commendable T16 showing on his Masters debut at Augusta National.

4. Keith Mitchell (No. 76 in FedEx Cup)

Keith Mitchell has shown flashes of top form this season, notching two T9s and a T10 amongst six other top 20s. However, the American sits outside the projected playoff ahead of this week's 3M Open. 

3. Lucas Glover (No. 71 in FedEx Cup)

Lucas Glover finds himself in a familiar position heading to the Wyndham Championship next week. Ranked 71st in the FedEx Cup, the veteran will look to defend his title from last year when he stole a playoff spot. Glover's improbable resurgence continued with a win at the St. Jude Classic. 

2. Davis Riley (No. 70 in FedEx Cup)

Despite claiming his first Tour title, Davis Riley finds himself on the fringes in 70th and in need of more top performances to feel comfortable.

1. Maverick McNealy (No. 67 in FedEx Cup)

Having started strongly with top 10s at WM Phoenix Open and the Players Championship, Maverick McNealy's season has cooled, leaving him inside the 67th playoff spot. Now the pressure is on over the year's closing fortnight, where McNealy will look to rekindle his early form to secure a postseason berth.

TIER 0 (bonus tier): Should be safe, unless…

5. Nick Dunlap (No. 64)

Amateur champion turned pro Nick Dunlap must prove his breakthrough win was no fluke if hoping to advance from 64th.

4. Mark Hubbard (No. 63)

Despite steady consistency making 41 cuts this season, Mark Hubbard finds himself clinging to the 63rd playoff spot. While fourth on tour in Round 2 scoring, 103rd/88th weekend averages have cost opportunities. Over the playoff push, Hubbard will aim to showcase his talents when they're needed most on moving weekend.

3. Taylor Moore (No. 62)

After flashing potential early on—top 20s at majors and a runner-up finish in Houston—Taylor Moore has cooled substantially, missing five cuts in his last seven starts. That leaves the 29-year-old clinging precariously to the projected 62nd playoff spot with everything on the line over the season's remaining days.

2. Jordan Spieth (No. 61)

Early form offered promise for Spieth, but just one top-20 since sees him scraping into the projected 61st playoff position. Over the year's closing stretch, the three-time Major champion will hunt to extend his season and build on flickers of his best.

1. Min Woo Lee (No. 60)

Min Woo Lee's cooking shows no signs of stopping, earning sizzling T2 finishes in Detroit and Detroit to keep him steaming towards the 60th playoff position. The rising star seemingly enjoys creating pots of gold on North American soil, and could surge further with flavorsome form still bubbling away.

With so much on the line, we can expect these stars will be leaving everything out on the course as they seek to finish their seasons on the hottest of notes. The tension will surely make for compelling viewing throughout the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship. For those currently outside looking in, it remains a case of go big or go home.

References: https://golf.com/news/15-pga-tour-stars-risk-missing-fedex-cup-playoffs/