It would take a monumental collapse by Tiger Woods for anyone but the world No 1 to claim the 10-million-dollar first place prize in the inaugural FedEx Cup.
Before the start of the 2007 Tour Championship there were only a five others who had a chance of finishing ahead of Woods in the final standings.
Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson were two and three in the points standings after last week's BMW Championship in Chicago. Aaron Baddeley, Rory Sabbatini, KJ Choi also had outside shots at the 10 million dollar annuity payment.
But that was before Woods seized command of the lead at the East Lake course by firing a seven-under 63 on Friday and following it up with a 64 Saturday to move to 19-under 191 after 54 holes.
Woods said Saturday that his priority right now is winning the Tour Championship and not thinking about the FedEx Cup race.
"You can't look at it that way," said Woods, who would also pocket 1.26 million dollars for winning the Tour Championship. "You don't start off the year thinking I'm going to try and get the player of the year award and the money title.
"If you win golf tournaments it takes care of everything. I am in a position to get another (win). That's the way I have always look at it."
Heading into the Tour Championship, Stricker was second in points standings. Stricker is tied for 22nd, a mammoth 16 strokes back of Woods. He needs to finish second and have Woods finish fourth or worse on Sunday.
Mickelson is tied for 14th at six-under 204, a hefty 13 shots behind Woods. Also an unlikely scenario.
Mickelson could win the tournament and Woods finish second and Woods would still claim the FedEx Cup.
Adding to the equation is the fact Woods is 40 of 43 when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead.
But if Stricker and Mickelson are looking for straws to grab at they could point out that Woods' last two no-wins after leading through 54 came at this East Lake Golf Club in 2000 and 2004.
Sabbatini is in 13th while Baddeley and KJ Choi are in a group of seven tied for 22nd.
