Ryan Palmer … As the 31-seed, it’d be surprising if he wasn’t included here by default, but Medinah sets up well for the long hitter who ranks 48th in greens in regulation. But the 42-year-old isn’t a two-trick pony. He’s held true to his profile as a scorer at 18th in putting: birdies-or-better. It’s yielded six top 10s this season, the most recent of which a T7 at the Barracuda Championship three weeks ago. Scott Piercy … Attempting to get back to East Lake for the first time since 2015 when he finished third at the BMW Championship and rose 24 spots to 20th in points, he’s also seeking some redemption. In 2016, he teed it up as the 35-seed at the BMW at Crooked Stick and placed T24, tumbling to 37th in the FedExCup. Lo and behold, he’s slotted 35th again this week on the strength of a career-best six top 10s among a career-high-tying 20 cuts made. He’s 33rd in total driving, 11th in greens hit and T4 in par-3 scoring. Kevin Tway … The last time he appeared on this page, he won the Safeway Open to launch into the season as the first top seed in the FedExCup. He’s since drifted to his current position of 40th, up one slot after a T24 at THE NORTHERN TRUST where he had the putts rolling true. If he can sustain that form with the flat stick while sticking to his game as an aggressor on approach, he could be headed toward another special week. And with the promise of 16 par 5s over four loops of Medinah, it doesn’t hurt that the 31-year-old ranks T34 in par-5 scoring. Ryan Moore … All things considered, it’s been a predictably solid season for the 36-year-old. While he’s recorded only two top 10s, both were podium finishes. He had five top 10s last year and settled for 71st in the FedExCup. Currently seeded 49th, he’ll need better than a T18 to advance, but that was the result in his last two starts (John Deere Classic, THE NORTHERN TRUST), so confidence and execution are on the upswing. After leading the field in fairways hit and ranking T5 in greens in regulation at TPC Deere Run, he checked up at sixth in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green at Liberty National. Byeong Hun An … Representing the chip-and-a-chair contingent at Medinah, the 61-seed descended without touching the ground after revealing during his T38 at THE NORTHERN TRUST that his wife is pregnant with their first child. Since the current FedExCup Playoffs points structure was introduced in 2015, the highest seed to advance from the BMW Championship was Roberto Castro in 2016. He entered what was then the third leg of the series at 53th in points, finished solo third at Crooked Stick, and climbed to 21st. Medinah will reward powerful ball-strikers, so An deserves attention at 23rd in distance of all drives and eighth in Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green. You also can’t rule out the early influence of the Nappy Factor.
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