Players on top-30 bubble at BMW Championship

The second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs begins Thursday at Wilmington Conutry Club in Wilmington, Delaware, at the BMW Championship. That means only the top-70 players from the PGA Tour FedEx Cup standings qualified and are shooting for the season-long prize, the FedEx Cup.

Only 68 players will tee it up, and from there, only the top 30 in the standings advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. The winner of the FedEx Cup Playoffs will take home $18 million and the FedEx Cup.

Cameron Smith, No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings and into next week’s field, won’t tee it up at the BMW Championship, withdrawing Monday.

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Here’s a closer look at some names in the FedEx Cup points standings, including those who are on the bubble and others who need a big week to make the Tour Championship.

J.J. Spaun

J.J. Spaun hits a tee shot at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. (Photo: David Yeazell/USA TODAY Sports)

J.J. Spaun, who won the Valero Texas Open in April, led or co-led after the first three rounds of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but a final-round 78 derailed his chances for a second win this season. He could’ve been locked into the Tour Championship, but now he’s No. 30 and the last person in heading into the BMW Championship.

Aaron Wise

Aaron Wise hits from the 18th fairway at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis. (Photo: Christine Tannous/The Commercial Appeal)

On the other side of the coin, Aaron Wise is the first person out of the top 30 cutoff, but is just two FedEx Cup points behind Spaun. He has made the cut in his past three starts, including a T-31 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and will need a minimum finish of 65th to advance.

Lucas Glover

Lucas Glover lines his shot at the 18th green during the third round of the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis. (Photo: Christine Tannous/The Commercial Appeal)

Lucas Glover was the biggest mover in the FedEx Cup standings during the first playoff event, jumping 87 spots from No. 121, barely making the field, to No. 34, on the cusp of the Tour Championship. He finished T-3, his best result this season. Yet there remains work to be done to make it to East Lake Golf Club, needing to finish at least 43rd.

Shane…