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The TOUR Championship 2012 Preview: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods Enter As Favorites To Capture FedExCup

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods enter the TOUR Championship as favorites to capture the 2012 FedExCup.

By Brendan Porath
Sep 7, 2012; Carmel, IN, USA; Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy (right) walk down the 8th fairway during the second round of the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
Sep 7, 2012; Carmel, IN, USA; Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy (right) walk down the 8th fairway during the second round of the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The 2012 FedExCup Playoffs conclude this weekend with the final leg of the four-stop elimination series. The top 30 in the standings descend on East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for the TOUR Championship, with the big $10 million prize on the line. Five of the biggest names in the golf world enter the week controlling their own destiny. Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney and Brandt Snedeker can all win the Playoffs if they capture the TOUR Championsip.

McIlroy, of course, has the best odds to capture the $10 million pot after his incredible streak of back-to-back wins in Boston and Indianapolis. The Northern Irishman started his surge in Norton, and could finish in second-to-last place at 29th and still have a mathematical shot to win the playoffs. Woods, who has been on the first page of the leaderboard for past month, also has a good shot of winning the Cup if he's in the top five.

But the veteran lefty Mickelson might be the choice here at the home of the legendary Bobby Jones. Mickelson has won the TOUR Championship twice, and has always played well on the East Lake track. Four of the top five will be a part of this month's Ryder Cup, with Watney the only player missing out on Medinah. But the young California has had some of the best form of late.

All 30 have a chance, and with the biggest names in the mix, it should be a fantastic weekend in the Atlanta area.

Stay with this StoryStream for more on the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Visit SB Nation Golf for all your FedExCup and Ryder Cup news and analysis.