We’ve made it, sportsfans! All the way to the other side! I’m very excited. It should be a real points explosion as you have 5/6 odds of scoring points this week with only 30 players in the field. I don’t need to do much of an introduction, but this is what we’ve all been waiting for.  For the winner, eternal glory, the choice of a brand new Nike driver of your choice, along with bragging rights spanning the internets.

This is the last event (!) of  The Playoffs for the NG Nation Fantasy Four and it’s definitely too late to join  For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below.

Big change this week: YOU DON’T HAVE TO PICK PAUL CASEY!
He’s the only NG Staffer and there’s only 30 guys to pick from, so let’s go out guns blazing.

The twitterati have been buzzing with rumours of bonus points and/or a points reset, but rules and rules and we play by them. Just like Dustin Johnson. No bonus points or reset!

Another important note, the Fantasy Four Power Couple reside in Georgia and I know that Chris will be at East Lake all week. They just try to get every advantage possible. Maybe they’ll check out some practice rounds before submitting their Fantasy Four.

To see the standings up to this point and how everyone picked last week, click here

NIKE GOLF: One to Watch  (doesn’t mean you have to pick him!)

Paul Casey (5)
PC has a legitimate chance to win this and I don’t care that he doesn’t have any history here. He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder and knows he’s an underdog going into this week. Honestly, I was going to put Casey in the “Four Who Are Hot” section, but oh well. Casey has 5 straight Top 25′s (2 Top 25, 2 Top 15′s and 1 Top 10) and if you discount the Canadian Open where he was drained from The Open (where he was T3) then he’s playing right up there with the best of them.

THE FIELD: Four Who are Hot

Dustin Johnson (2)
Recent starts – 1st at BMW, T57 at DB, T9 at Barclays, T5 at PGA, 15th at WGC-Bridgestone
People are rooting for him after his tough year…and he would be a great story. T27 at his only appearance at East Lake.

Matt Kuchar (1)
Recent starts –T3 at BMW, T11 at Deutsche Bank, 1st at Barclays,  T10 at PGA, T9 at WGC, T21 at Greenbrier, T4 at Canadian Open, T27 at The Open, T6 at US Open, T8 at Memorial
People still don’t realize this streak. He’s playing the best golf on the planet right now (maybe next to Kaymer). Rookie at East Lake.

Adam Scott (14)
Recent starts – T15 at BMW, T5 at Deutsche Bank, T9 at Barclays, T39 at PGA, T9 at at WGC-Bridgestone, T27 at The Open
Adam and Phil are the only two people in the Top 15 who have wins at East Lake. Also, given his current streak, he’s got to play well. He’s full of confidence and Mere couldn’t be happier that he’ll be in town this week.

Steve Stricker (4)
Recent starts – T8 at BMW, 9th at DBank, T3 at Barclays, T18 at PGA, T9 at WGC-Bridgestone
Of the Top 5, he has the most starts by far at East Lake with 4. His solo 6th last year with his other starts here make him the favourite to win in my books.

THE FIELD: Four Who Have History

Ernie Els (8)
Best finishes – 9 in ’09, T6 in ’08, T26 in ’07, T10 in ’06, T10 in ’04, T17 in ’03, T3 in ’00
Our season long leader has been quiet in the playoffs, but his last two finishes (30th then 13th) have him going in the right direction. He also has the history to back it up. Could be a big sleeper this week with a chance to win.

Jim Furyk (11)
Best finishes – T7 in ’09, T6 in ’08, 2 in ’06, T14 in ’05, T8 in ’03
A favourite to win almost every event this year got his playoffs off to a rocky start. However, if there’s a place for him to get his groove back, this is the place. T37 at DBank and T15 at the BMW has him going in the right direction. Another big sleeper this week.

Camilo Villegas (25)
Best finishes – 1st in ’08, T9 in ’07
Villegas has had a very quiet year for getting a big win. However, he’s an intense dude with a great history here. He should give a good show to end his year after not making it to East Lake last year.

Phil Mickelson (10)
Best finishes –1st in ’09, T3 in ’08, T20 in ’07, T19 in ’04, T5 in ’02, 1st in ’00
If the fans want DJ to win it all, they want Phil to finish 2nd, or win the event.  Phil is the only two-time winner in the field this week and is coming off of a T25 at the DBank and a T8 at the Barclays. Phil is looking good and know he needs some help even with a win. He still has a chance to win though.

FINAL FOUR: Camilo Villegas, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald and Paul Casey

This is it!

Check out the full field here >> The TOUR Championship Full Field

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below. Remember, pick ANY 4 golfers you want to!

Pick with your heart,

D.

*Editor’s Note: Hey everybody, I really hope you enjoyed playing the Fantasy Four this year. A big thank you and kudos to Damian for running this for us, he did a great job. We’re going to do a Fantasy Four for the PGA Tour Fall Series, for a yet-to-be-determined prize, so keep your eye out for that. It will start with next week’s first Fall Series event, The Viking Classic. Thanks again for playing everyone! Bob