The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin Thursday at Ridgewood Country Club with 125 golfers beginning the four-tournament sprint to the $10 million top prize. Here are seven players suited to capture the first leg, the Northern Trust:
Top shots: Dustin Johnson (8/1), Justin Thomas (12/1) and Brooks Koepka (12/1) — The top three players in the world all look to be serious contenders. Johnson is the defending champ, though he won at a different course.
Contenders: Jason Day (14/1) and Jordan Spieth (18/1) — Day really appears to be the specialist here in the tournament and for this course. Spieth’s putting has improved quite a bit as of late.
Long shots: Hideki Matsuyama (50/1) and Zach Johnson (50/1) — Matsuyama is starting to heat up, and Johnson hasn’t finished worse than 19th in six straight starts, including three majors.



