From the courtroom to the course, everything you need to know about the FedEx Cup playoffs

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Rickie Fowler closed with four straight birdies for a 6-under 65 on Friday, taking a one-shot lead over Justin Thomas into the weekend at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Fowler’s birdie run started at the par-5 15th and ended with his 8-foot putt on the par-4 18th, putting him at 13-under 129 through two rounds. Thomas, his roommate for the week, was bogey-free until he pulled his approach on the long par-4 14th and couldn’t get up-and-down. He responded with a two-putt birdie on 15 and closed with four straight pars. Branden Grace aced the 193-yard seventh hole and was tied with Trey Mullinax at 11 under. Each shot 64. Playing in his 30th Waste Management Phoenix Open, Phil Mickelson shot 75 and finished 1 over to miss the cut. MUST READS: Round 2, Waste Management Phoenix Open Hadley drains 81-foot putt after putting ball in water the day before Grace credits Presidents Cup for his ability to handle crowds at TPC Scottsdale Alice Dye, wife of famed golf course architect Pete Dye, dies at age 91

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The Open Championship returns this year after being cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020. It was the first time since World War II the major was not played. Shane Lowry, who captured his first major championship at The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019, will return the Claret Jug after his extended title defense ends. FIELD NOTES: The top two golfers in the FedExCup standings – Patrick Cantlay and Harris English – will both look for their first major championship wins at The Open… Shane Lowry returns to defend his 2019 Open Championship title. Lowry is looking to become the first golfer since Padraig Harrington (2007, 2008) to go back-to-back… Each of the other major winners this season (Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson, and Jon Rahm) will all look to add to their major trophy cases at Royal St. George’s… A slot remains for the John Deere Classic’s highest top-5 finisher who hasn’t yet qualified… Some of the world’s top golfers, including former PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im, have decided to pass on The Open this year citing a variety of reasons (including travel). For Im, he’s decided he wanted to keep his focus on winning an Olympic medal… All of the top 30 golfers in the world will tee it up at The Open with Im (at No. 27) being the only absence. FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 600 FedExCup points. COURSE: Royal St. George’s GC, par 70, 7,211 yards (yardage subject to change). Royal St. George’s was the first golf course in England to host The Open (1894) and this year will mark the 15th time for the storied course. The last Open Championship contested there was in 2011 (won by Darren Clarke at age 42) and prior to that it was Ben Curtis’ surprising victory in 2003. The course is known for its rumpled and undulating terrain which often produces unpredictable bounces, plus dunes and deep bunkering. It’s set over beautiful seaside land. STORYLINES: Jon Rahm will look to become only the seventh golfer to ever win the U.S. Open and Open Championship in the same year… Louis Oosthuizen is trying to avoid becoming the first golfer since 2000 to finish runner-up in three straight majors… A major winner already, Bryson DeChambeau will debut his new caddie, Brian Zeigler, at Royal St. George’s… Can Phil Mickelson keep his major mojo going? After winning the PGA Championship earlier this year, it should be noted Mickelson finished runner-up to Darren Clarke in the 2011 Open, contested at Royal St. George’s… The Open Championship will be contested at St. Andrews in 2022, Royal Liverpool in 2023, and Royal Troon in 2024. 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Henrik Stenson (2016 at Royal Troon). 18-HOLE RECORD: 62, Branden Grace (3rd round, 2017 at Royal Birkdale). LAST TIME: Shane Lowry had the support of a nation as he captured his first-career major championship title. The quick-with-a-smile Irishman won the 2019 Open Championship by six shots. He shot a blistering 63 (a course record) on Saturday at Royal Portrush – the first time the magical links of Northern Ireland had hosted The Open since the 1951 – and despite a 1-over 72 it was his title for the taking. After leading by four through 54 holes, there were no challenges on Sunday to speak of from the chasers, as Tommy Fleetwood, who finished runner up, shot 3-over 74 in the final round. Tony Finau finished third while Lee Westwood and Brooks Koepka were tied for fourth. Koepka’s top-five finish put him in some serious company. He was the fifth player to finish in the top five in all four majors in a single season joining Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. HOW TO FOLLOW (All times ET) Television: Thursday-Friday, 1:30 a.m.-4 a.m. (Peacock), 4 a.m.-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-4 p.m. (Peacock). Saturday, 5 a.m.-7 a.m. (Golf Channel), 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (NBC). Sunday, 4 a.m.-7 a.m. (Golf Channel), 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (NBC) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 2 a.m.-3 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday, 4 a.m.-2 p.m (SiriusXM 92)

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