This should be a classic weekend as all 30 players have a shot at winning the Fed Ex Cup and the $10m bonus that goes with it. Any of the top five, Rory, Tiger, Nick Watney, Phil or Brandt Snedeker can win it with a victory this weekend. The other 25 have a shot if they win, but they’ll need some help. Now that the PGA resets the points after the BMW Championship it gives everyone a shot. A guy from the PGA told me that when Vijay won it in 2008, he had already clinched the cup before the Tour Championship. The PGA rep compared it to the Braves winning a seven-game playoff series in five and then playing the last two games out. It takes the fun and drama out of it.
Rory was around three thousand points ahead of Tiger in the rankings after the BMW and you think, wow, Rory deserves it. That’s an interesting debate. But this makes it much more thrilling and gives everyone in the field a shot. I guess you could say you have to earn it in the playoffs throughout. Rory still in position to win it if he gets a second and another guy out of the top five wins it, so he does have the edge there.

Next week is just as big if not bigger with the Ryder Cup going to Medinah Country Club, one of the famed golf courses in the country which has hosted quite a few majors. That’s when the players are competing for their countries without any money involved; just national pride. It’s going to be terrific theater.

Here are five guys whom I like to get it done this weekend with the winner at the bottom.

1. Tiger Woods:

Driving the ball very well, playing wel in general. If he can putt well, has a very good chance to capture his third Fed Ex Cup after winning in 2007 and 2009.

2. Rory McIlroy:

This is a given. Won three of the last four events he’s played in, including the PGA and the Deutsche Bank and BMW. Rory could be one of the all-time greats before he’s through. Everything is working in his game. Long, accurate, terrific iron player, and an excellent putter when he’s got the flat stick going. Very well could win this thing.

3.Phil:

Playing tremendous golf. T-2 at BMW. That claw grip he’s using now with his putter is really working for him. Phil is hitting his driver pretty solidly. This seems to be an important driving course, so if he’s on with his driver, three-wood and whatever else he uses off the tee, he could be in the winner’s circle on Sunday. Feel good about his putting. His chipping has always been exceptional.

4. Brandt Snedeker:

Brandt leads the tour in strokes gained putting, and that is a very significant stat in this tournament. Three out of the last four winners have been in the top five in strokes gained putting. Bill Haas, who won the Tour Championship and the Cup last year, led the field in that category. Brandt is an exceptional putter, so if he can drive  the ball well, and give himself opportunities with his approaches, I like his chances.

5. Louis Oosthuizen:

He drives it so well and putts well, too. Very solid player, who can get hot and really go low. He doesn’t practice a lot, which may hurt him in these big tournaments. Says his family and his farm are more important to him. If he really focused on his game he could be a multiple major winner. Always like the South Africans. They’ve become the new Asians in mental toughness. Louis hits it a ton and is accurate. It’ll come down to the greens like it will for everybody else.

Two others who have a good shot:

1. Dustin Johnson:

His game is in great shape and he’s been in the hunt throughout these playoffs. Has all the tools for greatness. Just needs to finish the job once he’s in the mix.

2.Jason Dufner:

Tremendously accurate off the tee. He’s not terrific with the putter always, but when he is, he’s elite. Certainly in the conversation.

Should be an awesome weekend. It’ll be hard to do it all as far as watching the Tout Champ and football, but will certainly be tuned in all weekend. Alabama plays at 5 PM ET/4/CT and Auburn plays at 7 PMET/6 CT, so it’ll work out for plenty of viewing of this tremendous event. Sunday will be glued in what should be riveting golf with lots of drama and excitement.

The winner:

Philip Alfred Mickelson:

Just like where Phil is with his game right now. Playing so well. Likes playing in Georgia. Won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 to go along with his PGA in 2005. Phillip likes the big stage. Raises his game in these big events, and this event is similar to a major with what’s at stake. See Phil taking home the Cup and the extremely generous bonus money that goes along with it before setting out to help the U.S. regain the Cup from the Europeans, who won it in 2010. This promises to be  scintillating. Can’t wait for this tournament to start. East Lake will be electric.

TV times:

Golf Channel: today and Friday, 12-6 PM CT.

Saturday: Golf Channel, 11AM-1PM CT; NBC, 1-5 PM CT.

Sunday: Golf Channel, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM CT.: NBC, 12:30-5 PM CT.

There will be replays on the Golf Channel at night. Check pgatour.com for all TV times.