FedEx Cup Playoffs: Jordan Spieth playing for points and pride

Players will face increased pressure to keep their season alive and their reputation intact as the FedEx Cup Playoffs continue.

The second week of the FedEx Cup Playoffs brings the top 100 players to TPC Boston for the Dell Technologies Championship this weekend. With only 70 moving on to the BMW and time running out to move up in the standings, fans should expect some exciting golf.

The playoffs cultivate a lot of pressure. Algorithms crank out new data after every stroke, providing the entire world with real-time updates of a player’s professional fate. Imagine if they did this at your office. You send an email with a typo in the subject line and all of a sudden your name turns red on the job security leaderboard. Stressful, right?

Nothing can match a Tour pro maintaining his composure to sink a clutch birdie to keep his season alive, especially considering how us normal folk can’t handle a 3-foot knee-knocker with a $5 match on the line.

This Labor Day weekend dozens of golfers will make a desperate push to get into the top 70, but even more eyes will be on those positioning themselves to qualify for the Tour Championship.

Surviving the grind of the season and earning a coveted spot in the Tour Championship is more than a feather in one’s visor. The distinction results in exemptions for the coming season, including big money WGC events, majors and possibly incentive bonuses from sponsors.

More importantly, there’s the bragging rights and the sense of pride that comes with competing in the year’s final tournament. For some, having the opportunity just once or twice in their career will be a professional highlight. But for the biggest stars in the game, making the top 30 is an expectation.

Missing out is a blot on a star’s resume. Think of an MLB slugger who’s hit 30-plus home runs every season in his career. Let’s say it’s been a down year for this theoretical thumper and he doesn’t meet the standard. That number will stand out on the back of his baseball card, and could carry a psychological effect into the next season.

The same is true for a big name golfer. Take Jordan Spieth, winless in 2018 and currently outside the top 30 (No. 33). Jordan is supposed to be one of the best players in the world. He’s played 21 events this season. If both of those statements are true, then shouldn’t he be a lock for the Tour Championship field?

Spieth needs to perform if he wants us to continue to think of him as Jordan Spieth.

Given the way Jordan jarred those late round putts at the Northern Trust, I think he’s primed for a big weekend that will safely position him in the top 30 heading into the BMW. That’s one thing I’ll have my eye on at the Dell Technologies. Here are a few of the other high-profile stars looking to go low to keep their elite status:

• Xander Schauffele (34) – last year’s Tour Championship winner. It’ll be tough to repeat if he fails to qualify
• Brandt Snedeker (35) – Steady Sneddy is close, but there are no guarantees with the heavily weighted playoff format
• Adam Scott (40) – The former world #1 made a big move last week but needs more good golf in September
• Zach Johnson (53) – The multiple major winner could face a major disappointment
• Henrik Stenson (55) – The European players don’t play as many events, so this shouldn’t sting as bad. Without wins, it’s tough to to qualify on a limited schedule
• Hideki Matsuyama (58) – An off year in an otherwise incredible young career
• Matt Kuchar (74) – Nice guys finish last
• Jason Dufner (100) – He’s on the bubble to survive this week, but I doubt he looks nervous