On Golf Channel, Kelly Tilghman just confirmed what one could probably predict mathematically if they were so inclined: any player entering Cog Hill in the top 15 in the FedEx Cup standings is already qualified for the Tour Championship.

So, since guys sixteen through 30 that get into Tour Championship have almost no chance to win the $10 million bonus, we pretty much know who has a shot at East Lake.

The only real kicker could be if one of the following two situations materialize this week:

1. Someone pulls a Heath Slocum and wins to go from the outside-lookin'-in to sitting pretty
2. A player already in the Tour Championship wins Cog Hill to place themselves in the top five, booting someone already there

If neither of those things happen, then are our five lads who have the best chance to become the next Publisher's Clearing House winner FedEx Cup champion:

1. Steve Stricker
2. Tiger Woods
3. Heath Slocum
4. Zach Johnson
5. Scott Verplank

In the interest of giving you some folks to root for this weekend along the redemption storyline that seems to be forming for East Lake, Kenny Perry and Padraig Harrington are within very close reach of getting into the top five.  If one or both find a way into the top five, then the Tour Championship could become inherently more exciting based on star power.