Slocum sneaks into top 125, makes playoffs

• By Ryan Lavner
• Aug 20, 2012 12:34 PM ET

It wasn’t easy – rarely is, when the opportunity to compete for $10 million is on the line – but Heath Slocum managed to sneak into the top 125 and qualify for the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.

Starting the week at No. 128 in the FedEx Cup standings, Slocum tied for 31^st at the Wyndham Championship to finish 124^th in points and become the only player to move from outside to inside the FedEx Cup bubble during the regular-season finale.

Though Slocum played his final six holes Monday in 4 over par, it was enough to advance to The Barclays at Bethpage Black, which begins Thursday.

Interestingly, Slocum has been in this exact position before. In 2009, he was 124^th in FedEx points after the regular season ended, but won the following week at The Barclays and eventually finished eighth.

“I think what I did last time (in 2009) kind of frees you up,” Slocum told reporters Monday. “You really have nothing to lose. I remember I went into that week just completely free, no expectations. I just went and played golf.

“It’s a lesson to be learned from. If I can execute, obviously a ‘W’ would be fantastic. But at this point, I’m just trying to get things back on track and get to playing the golf that I’ve been playing in my career and that I expected from myself.”

Not so fortunate was Jhonattan Vegas, who slipped from No. 124 to No. 126 – two points behind bubble-boy Jason Bohn – after missing the cut in Greensboro. Nos. 127-130, respectively: Y.E. Yang, Tim Herron, Bobby Gates and Brendan Steele.

Other notables who will miss the FedEx Cup playoffs: No. 131 Retief Goosen, No. 134 Gary Woodland, No. 135 Chris DiMarco, No. 137 Erik Compton, No. 139 Stewart Cink, No. 140 John Daly, No. 147 Justin Leonard and No. 148 Camilo Villegas.

Rounding out Nos. 120-125, respectively: Colt Knost, Harrison Frazar, Jerry Kelly, Boo Weekley, Slocum and Jason Bohn.