Five players to watch at the BMW Championship

Steve Stricker

• FedEx Cup points: 106,200 (second)

The absence of Phil Mickelson could allow the University of Illinois grad to take first place in FedEx Cup points -- unbelievable, if you consider where he was just a few years ago. His playoff win at The Barclays was his first full-field victory since he won the Western Open in 1996.

Tiger Woods

• FedEx Cup points: 103,733 (third)

No surprise here. Dubs has been good to him over the years. He won the Western Open in 1997, '99 and 2003. His putting cost him a better finish in last week's Deutsche Bank Championship and could do the same this week if the course softens up.

K.J. Choi

• FedEx Cup points: 102,900 (fourth)

He withdrew from last week's playoff because of issues with his back but looks to be back at full strength this week. His grouping with Woods and Stricker for the first two rounds will be quite the opportunity. Choi has seven top-10 finishes this year.

Jerry Kelly

• FedEx Cup points: 94,554 (27th)

He also has seven top-10 finishes this year with a tie for ninth at The Barclays. The Wisconsin native always draws a big gallery in Chicago. He won the 2002 Western in dramatic fashion, 2 strokes ahead of Davis Love III.

Trevor Immelman

• FedEx Cup points: 93,146 (38th)

The defending champ had a shaky start to the season, but a tie for sixth at the PGA Championship seems to have rejuvenated him. Only 27, he has a lot of power in his driver and a lot of accuracy in his irons, which could be the recipe for a repeat.