And Now for Playoff Battle #2

The Dell Technologies Championship -- previously the Deutsche Bank Championship -- is the second FedExCup Playoff event, being held at TPC Boston in Norton MA.



While 100 players were slated to tee it up, only 96 (at this point) will actually do so. Missing will be:

• Henrik Stenson (right knee)
• Brandt Snedeker (sternum joint)
• J.B. Holmes (no reason given)
• Scott Piercy (shoulder)

Stenson is currently 22nd on the points list so he should make it to the next round without difficulty. The other players are likely done as only Sneds is ranked better than 70th, but at 68 he's probably done as well. (Given how many events he's missed over the last couple of months, it's probably better for his health anyway.)

Also, bear in mind that this is the last event with a 36-hole cut. And players who make it into the 70-player field at the BMW Championship will have a one-week break to get ready.

It's hard to believe that anybody but Dustin Johnson will be the favorite this week, after his performance at Glen Oaks. Spieth, Thomas, Rahm and Matsuyama would be the next tier, based on their play over the last few months. Still, if DJ has truly healed up from his back injury -- and last week's performance would tend to indicate that he has -- he's going to be a tough one to beat.

I suppose the biggest thing you need to remember this week is that the Dell has a Labor Day finish (Monday), so the event doesn't start until Friday at 2:30pm ET on GC. And with CBS coverage done for the season, the 3rd and 4th rounds (Sunday and Monday) will be on NBC.