FedEx Cup Playoffs Preview: Breaking down the top ten contenders

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 13: Justin Thomas of the United States shakes hands with Hideki Matsuyama of Japan on the 18th green during the final round of the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on August 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 13: Justin Thomas of the United States shakes hands with Hideki Matsuyama of Japan on the 18th green during the final round of the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on August 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /
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FedEx Cup Playoffs Brian Harman
(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Brian Harman put together a pretty solid season in 2017, even if he only got significant attention one time.

It seems like it’s been forever, but just three months ago, Harman earned his only victory of the season at the Wells Fargo Championship. You remember the scene on the par-5 18th hole, don’t you? Harman needed to make a par to get into a playoff with Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez, and air-mailed the green on his second shot.

He took relief from a corporate tent, then duffed his chip to the point where it barely got to the green. At that point, a two-putt par would have been something to be proud of. But he only needed one.

Harman won that week in stunning fashion, and those 500 FedEx Cup points solidified his position in the top ten here at the end of the regular season. Consistency, however, hasn’t been Harman’s strong suit for much of this year.

Over these past three months, Harman has four top-ten finishes, and his follow-up performances have suffered. He enters these playoffs on a high note, after finishing tied for 13th at the PGA Championship, but will it transfer into the playoffs?

The pressure won’t hit right away, at least. Harman hasn’t qualified for the Tour Championship in any of his five years of Tour membership. He’ll most likely have a clear shot to Atlanta, but nothing else will come easy. If Harman can pick up a win in one of these next three events, though, he can ride that momentum all the way to the finish.