Australian Scott in a safe spot for FedEx Cup playoffs

CARNOUSTIE: Three tournaments remain before the top eight players qualify for the US Ryder Cup team, including US$10mil (RM41mil) or more purses from the World Golf Championship at Firestone and the PGA Championship.

Another deadline quickly approaching is the FedEx Cup and Adam Scott (pic) did himself a big favour with his tie for 17th at the British Open.

Scott moved from No. 123 to No. 107 in the FedEx Cup standings.

He should be set, especially being guaranteed points in two weeks at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Scott, who has fallen to No. 73 in the world ranking, gets into Firestone because he played in the Presidents Cup last year.

“There’s good stuff in my game,” Scott said. “I didn’t hit it as well as I wanted this week but there was still plenty of good in that.

“My short game is really good, I thought. “So if I can just get the rhythm of the golf swing going a little better over the next couple weeks, I really feel like I can make a mark at the PGA and try to put a dent in the end of the season.” Others remain in a tough spot.

Sergio Garcia missed the cut at Carnoustie and fell to No. 132, which is why he decided to play the RBC Canadian Open this week for the first time since 2001.

Garcia has played only 11 events on the US PGA Tour this year. Bill Haas, who took time off from golf after being the passenger in a fatal car accident outside Riviera in February, is at No. 144.

Henrik Stenson banged the top part of his left arm on a door and it was sore enough that it nearly kept him out of the British Open.

He could use some quick healing with a schedule that is busier than usual.

A year ago, Stenson was at No. 75 in the FedEx Cup standings and in danger of not fulfilling his minimum 15 tournaments, so he entered the Wyndham Championship, which he won.

Now, the Swede has aWorld Golf Championship at Firestone and the PGA Championship and then the title defence at the Wyndham before the FedEx Cup playoffs start.

“That’s why I’m hoping the arm will clear up in a week or so and I can get back into playing without thinking about that and just working on my game,” Stenson said.

“If I’m going to play all that golf, I need to pace myself and not do too much.

“But at the same time, I’m not feeling like I’m firing golf-wise, so you still need to put the work in.

“So that’s a bit of a tough one.”

It’s tough in other aspects. The Nordea Masters in Sweden, which he has never won, was moved this year to the same week as the Wyndham Championship.

“So we’re disappointing a lot of people,” he said.