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The final stage of the 2012 FedEx Cup Playoffs begins on Thursday when the Tour Championship kicks off from East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. Having won three of his past four tournaments, Rory McIlroy is expected win the Cup and its $10 million prize.
Among the big names vying to challenge McIlroy at East Lake will be Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and players with local ties such as Northwestern grad Luke Donald. McIlroy, Woods and Mickelson all finished in the top-5 at the BMW Championship a couple weeks ago, so they've all been in good form recently.
McIlroy leads all players in PGA wins this season with four, but Woods could tie him by winning the Tour Championship. Rory is the only one of the two to win a major championship this year, though.
For more on the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup Playoffs, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago and check out SB Nation's golf hub.