The Barclays preview

Matt Kuchar defends

published 24 August 2011

Lowdown: The 2011 FedEx Cup playoffs get underway this week with The Barclays at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey. Matt Kuchar defends the title while Jim Furyk defends the FedEx Cup itself.

The top 125 players from the FedEx Cup standings through the regular PGA Tour season are eligible to take part in The Barclays and they'll all be looking to make it into the top 100 in order to progress to the second playoff event next week - the Deutsche Bank Championship.

It may measure less than 7,000 yards but this is a track that demands precise and accurate play. There's been quite a bit of rain in the area recently so the rough could be punishing. The course has drained well though and the greens and fairways should be firm this week.

Player Watch: Steve Stricker - A playoff specialist, Stricker won this tournament in 2007 and finished runner-up in 2009. He's one of the most consistent players in the world and he has 10 top 10 finishes in the 16 FedEx Cup playoff events that have been played to date.

Luke Donald - The World Number 1 has enjoyed an amazing season and he'll be looking to cap it with FedEx Cup victory. He has a good record in the playoffs and currently leads the PGA Tour in adjusted scoring. Key hole: 18th. The green may be elevated but at 285 yards, this hole will be driveable for most of the field all four days. It's an unusual finishing hole and it could witness some dramatic swings right at the death. Perhaps an eagle two to win the tournament?

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?