Now that Rory McIlroy is back in the winner's circle -- at least on the PGA Tour -- for the first time in more than a year, will that lead to bigger and better things for the Northern Irishman to close out the year?
And who did, or didn't, make a good impression on Davis Love III for a possible captain's pick for Team USA? Our panel goes into those topics and more in this week's edition of Four-Ball.
1. What does Rory McIlroy's win mean for his game, and for Team Europe, heading into the rest of the playoffs and the Ryder Cup?
SportsCenter anchor Jonathan Coachman: It means full steam ahead. When Rory gets on a roll and starts making every putt, he is like a runaway train. To me he looks as sharp as anyone playing right now and seems motivated. And there is a lot to be motivated by -- finishing the year at the top and leading the Ryder Cup team. Not good for Team USA.
ESPN.com senior golf analyst Michael Collins: Nothing. Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson all had a good week. What Rory's win means is the Ryder Cup is looking more and more like a dogfight, which is exactly what we fans were hoping for at the end of the month.
ESPN.com senior golf writer Bob Harig: Not sure it means much for the Ryder Cup at this point. Those putts won't be any easier to make at Hazeltine because he finally had a good putting week. But it has to give him confidence. McIlroy was 4 over par after three holes of the tournament with a three-putt and came back to win because he found some success on the greens. And now he heads to a course, Crooked Stick, where he's won previously.
ESPN.com senior golf editor Kevin Maguire: For Rory, it shows his putting is headed in the right direction. At TPC Boston, he said he was trying to get that aspect of his game in shape for the Masters. Well, it's well ahead of schedule, Mr. McIlroy. As for Team Europe and the Ryder Cup, the squad that putts best usually wins, so if Rory can keep some positive momentum from this week with the flatstick, well, it doesn't mean good things for Team USA.
2. Who made the best case at the Deutsche Bank Championship for being a Ryder Cup captain's pick?
Coachman: If Davis Love III really wants to put the hottest players on the team, he needs to take Ryan Moore. Moore is planning to play eight weeks in a row because he loves the courses and he has been red hot. His win at the John Deere was very dominant, and he has two top-10s so far in the FedEx Cup playoffs. But sitting at 20th in the Ryder Cup points standings? I don't know if Love will go down that far.
Collins: Russell Knox. Now how fast can he get U.S. citizenship?! No American players made a definitive push that should have impressed captain Love. With one week left, if someone can't handle the pressure of playing to impress for Team USA, how are they going to handle playing in the Ryder Cup?
Harig: Ryan Moore. He's got two top-10s in two playoff events, and if the idea behind waiting is to find a hot player, then Moore is doing what is required.
Maguire: Gary Woodland. He's finished top 15 in both playoff events so far, and he's one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. That should count for something, considering the Ryder Cup is being played at Hazeltine, which is a big ballpark. He's also on the younger side of the Ryder Cup curve, so a little experience could help Team USA down the road.
3. Jim Furyk -- on Team USA or not?
Coachman: No. I love that he shot a 58 and has been playing good golf, but not great golf. I want to start fresh with players who haven't been jaded by multiple Ryder Cup losses. So for me, it's a no.
Collins: Yes, but only as a vice captain. He's great in the team room, but his record can't be overlooked. I'd rather have a rookie who hasn't lost than a veteran with a losing record playing for this team.
Harig: Not. Furyk has become a popular talking point for a captain's pick, given his good play since June. He missed so much time that he couldn't earn enough points, but missing the BMW Championship is a tough blow. It's hard to pick a player at this point who won't compete in the last two FedEx Cup playoff events.
Maguire: Furyk will be at the Ryder Cup, just only as a vice captain. If he hadn't gotten injured and missed seven months, I definitely could have seen him making the team on points. But considering the Ryder Cup task force was devised to focus on the future, that should bleed over to the captain's picks, as well. Time to go a little younger and get those 20-somethings some experience, especially on home soil for a first Ryder Cup.
4. Halfway through the playoffs, which player's game is trending in the right direction to bring home the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus?
Coachman: I have to go with Rory. When he is on point, he is like the Usain Bolt of the PGA Tour. He is as close to Tiger Woods when it comes to momentum as we have ever seen. I can make a case against every other top player right now. But as we all know, it can all change by Sunday. That's the beauty of the playoffs and why I love them so much.
Collins: I love the way Patrick Reed is playing right now. Another top-5 finish at the BMW and he'll be my pick at East Lake. Remember in 2012 when Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank and BMW? He didn't win the FedEx Cup!
Harig: Patrick Reed. He followed up his victory at the Barclays with a tie for fifth at the Deutsche Bank and remains No. 1 in the points standings.
Maguire: Jordan Spieth. He hasn't done anything spectacular -- yet -- but is still right there at sixth in the rankings. In the 10th edition of the FedEx Cup playoffs, we just might get our first repeat winner.