The halfway point of the FedExCup Fall is approaching, with three events already played and four more to come. This pivotal moment is crucial for many PGA TOUR players, as it determines their status for the upcoming season. Only the top 100 players in the FedExCup rankings, down from 125 in previous years, will secure full status for 2026. This means the next month will be a tense battle for position and career survival. With an off-week ahead, let's examine the players who are rising and falling in the FedExCup Fall and predict the stakes for the remaining events.
Rising Stars
Garrick Higgo
Garrick Higgo, a South African golfer, has been on a remarkable streak in the FedExCup Fall. He secured his 2026 status with a win at the Corales Puntacana Championship earlier this year, but his recent performances have set him up for a more significant breakthrough. Higgo has been the top golfer on TOUR in the three fall events, finishing tied for seventh at the Procore Championship, runner-up at the Sanderson Farms Championship, and tied for fourth at the Baycurrent Classic. This impressive run has elevated him from 99th to 57th in the FedExCup rankings, a notable improvement. Players finishing between 51st and 60th in the FedExCup Fall will earn entry into prestigious events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational. Higgo's unique position as the only golfer in the top-60 who wasn't there at the start of the fall makes him a strong contender for a breakthrough similar to Ludvig Åberg's (2023) or Maverick McNealy's (2024) career-changing seasons.
Steven Fisk
Steven Fisk, who bested Higgo at the Sanderson Farms, is another rising star. Fisk was initially well outside the top-100 bubble, ranked 135th, but his maiden victory at Jackson Country Club propelled him to 65th. While superstar golfers Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele won the other two fall events, Fisk's achievement is notable. Before his career-changing victory, Fisk had only one other top-10 finish in 22 events. He's now taking full advantage of the fall season, showcasing his potential.
Michael Thorbjornsen
Michael Thorbjornsen, a former world amateur No. 1, is finally finding his comfort zone at the perfect time. He finished tied for 13th at the Procore Championship and contended at the Baycurrent Classic, finishing solo-third. Thorbjornsen's consistent play has elevated him from 88th to 72nd in the FedExCup rankings, securing his card for another year. Since earning his TOUR card straight from college through PGA TOUR University, Thorbjornsen has shown glimpses of his elite talent, but it hasn't been consistent. However, he's now on a roll, missing just one cut since April, with four top-five finishes. The fall has proven to be an extension of his great play, and with his card secured, he's a strong candidate for a significant leap in the rankings.
Rico Hoey
Rico Hoey, a 30-year-old Filipino, has become one of the most impressive ball-strikers on the PGA TOUR. However, until this fall, his performances were underwhelming. Hoey's below-average putting was a significant issue, but a switch to a long putter before the Procore Championship has shown promising results. He finished tied for ninth at the Procore and tied for fourth at the Baycurrent, with a missed cut at the Sanderson Farms in between. This consistent play has pushed him to the other side of the crucial top-100 bubble, moving from 106th to 91st. While Hoey isn't completely safe with four events to play, his improved performance could secure another year on TOUR and potentially solve his putting issues for good.
Falling Stars
Joel Dahmen
Joel Dahmen, who narrowly avoided a stressful fall last year, is facing a challenging start this season. His status was on the line at the RSM Classic, but a series of heroics helped him make the cut and stay on the right side of the bubble. However, this fall, he's done the opposite, dropping from inside the top-100 to outside it. Dahmen began the fall at 93rd, but missed the cut in his first two events and finished 69th in the 78-man, no-cut Baycurrent. His struggles continued, and he's now 103rd in the FedExCup Fall. Dahmen has missed the cut in nine of his last 14 events dating back to April, indicating a decline in his performance.
Stephen Jaeger
Stephen Jaeger, who was inside the top-60 at the start of the fall, has unfortunately fallen out. Jaeger's only appearance this fall was a 44th-place finish at the Sanderson Farms, which has contributed to his decline. Despite this, Jaeger's overall performance hasn't worsened, so it's not as if his game has fallen off a cliff. However, if Jaeger doesn't prioritize his fall schedule, he could find himself on the outside looking in at the first few Signature Events of 2026.
Tom Kim
Tom Kim, a South Korean golfer, doesn't technically qualify as a faller based on the FedExCup Fall standings. However, he's not a riser either, which is a concern. Kim started the FedExCup at 94th and remains in the same position after three events. While he has played every event, his only notable finish was a 11th place at the Sanderson Farms. Kim's card is secure through 2026, so he doesn't have to worry about the top-100 bubble. However, he expected to use the fall to make a push for the top-60, which hasn't happened yet. Stagnation in this context is akin to falling, indicating a missed opportunity.
