This week, the Top 50 are in Colorado for the BMW Championship, the second FedEx Cup playoff event. They are back at Castle Pines Golf Club to take on the 8,100-yard track at 6,500 feet above sea level.
Only three new players emerged into the Top 50 after the FedEx St. Jude Championship, so there was little movement in those standings.
However, this week’s goal is to get inside the Top 30 so they can make it to the Tour Championship in Atlanta for the playoff finale. Plenty of competitive juices will flow this week in Colorado as they all want a shot at the massive purse at the Tour Championship.
This track should produce a birdie fest for these guys and will be about who can keep up. With that said, there are 10 guys ranked below that should have really good weeks. A few of them are outside the Top 30, so they will be extra fired up to do something special.
Here is a power ranking for the 10 PGA Tour players that could win this week at the BMW Championship.
10. Rory McIlroy
Last week was rough for Rory McIlroy, and many were shocked to see him play that poorly. He redeems himself this week with a strong performance in Colorado.
McIlroy dropped a few spots with Hideki Matsuyama winning in Memphis, but he is safely making it to Atlanta. Regardless, he is too competitive to let what happened last week occur two weeks in a row. Look for him to find his form and go low.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 5
9. Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark is in his hometown this week. He has a lot of confidence coming off the Olympics and a T-7 last week in Memphis. Is his moxy returning at the right time to make a run?
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 6
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Photo by James Gilbert/PGA TOUR via Getty Images 8. Ludvig Åberg
The young Swedish phenom was another player who quietly took on Memphis. Ludvig Åberg did not have his best week with a T-40 finish. He struggled to hit fairways, and his short game was not up to his usual standards. However, much like McIlroy, he is too talented to do that two weeks in a row.
Åberg should have a field day on this track, and if he can get his putter hot, it will be a strong week for him.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 7
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Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images 7. Nick Dunlap
Nick Dunlap is in great form and plays well at high altitudes. He won the Barracuda Championship earlier this season, another event in similar conditions.
He looked so strong last week and had a shot until Sunday. Dunlap finished T-5 and squeaked his way into the Top 50. The rookie wants to get to Atlanta in his first year on Tour to distinguish himself among the elite.
Dunlap won his U.S. Am last year at Cherry Hills, just down the road from Castle Rocks, so he has success in this area. He is one of the guys who could make the Top 30.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 48
6. Tony Finau
Tony Finau is long overdue for something good; this week could be his time. A T-16 in Memphis is not bad, but he must put things into overdrive if he wants to impress. He is in the field for Atlanta, but it would not hurt to see him do something big the week before.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 14
5. Taylor Pendrith
Taylor Pendrith is one of the wildcards this week. When he played on the Korn Ferry Tour, he took on Castle Pines and was successful. He can use that experience to his advantage this week and move up the standings. Look for him to take a top-10 finish.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 27
4. Collin Morikawa
Another player who could win at any moment is Collin Morikawa. He has seven top 10s in 2024 and could add another this week.
This track sets up nicely for his ball-striking abilities. If he can get the putter to cooperate, Morikawa may take home the BMW Championship.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 4
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images 3. Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland reminded people who he was last week. While he came up short, his confidence grew a few sizes with a T-2 finish.
He is becoming more consistent, which should scare the rest of the field. Hovland could go on a similar run to last year and win the BMW Championship. He made the biggest move last week from outside the Top 50 to inside the Top 30.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 16
2. Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele is one of the most confident players on the PGA Tour. He surged up the leaderboard on Sunday and finished T-2 with Hovland. Schauffele could win it all if he continues to play at this level. It will be hard to find someone who can stop him.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 2
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Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images 1. Scottie Scheffler
The man of the hour, Scottie Scheffler, is No. 1 on this list. He did not have his best stuff in Memphis, but he still recorded a solo fourth-place finish. It is mind-boggling to see him contend almost every single week.
If Scheffler gets his putting sorted out, he will likely win this event — he could run away with it.
FedEx Cup ranking: No. 1
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
