Deutsche Bank Championship

The Deutsche Bank Championship tees off on Friday at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., and wraps up with a Labor Day finish on Monday. The second round of the FedExCup Playoffs features a field of 120 — compared to last week’s 144 players at The Barclays — and after this week, only 70 golfers will remain in contention to win the FedExCup title along with the $10 million winner’s check.

Last week’s action lived up to the PGA Tour’s playoff hype, with Vijay Singh defeating Sergio Garcia in a dramatic playoff at The Barclays. On the first playoff hole, Garcia knocked in a 27-foot putt — only to be matched by Singh, who curled in a 26-footer to extend the playoff to a second hole and, ultimately, claim a victory for Vijay.

“I think he was surprised to make his,” said Singh. “I was surprised to see it go in and he was even more surprised to see mine go in.”

The laid back Fijian enters the Deutsche Bank Championship riding a wave of momentum and returning to the site of one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2004, Singh took over the No. 1 spot in the World Golf Rankings, after defeating Tiger Woods head-to-head at TPC Boston — effectively ending Tiger’s five-year run at the top.

Now, Singh has taken Woods’ No. 1 ranking in the FedExCup standings, albeit in much less dramatic fashion due to Tiger’s injured knee.

Top 15, FedExCup standings:

1. Vijay Singh, Fiji
2. Sergio Garcia, Spain
3. Kevin Sutherland, USA
4. Phil Mickelson, USA
5. Justin Leonard, USA
6. Anthony Kim, USA
7. Kenny Perry, USA
8. Ben Curtis, USA
9. Stewart Cink, USA
10. Jim Furyk, USA
11. K.J. Choi, South Korea
12. Robert Allenby, Australia
13. Stuart Appleby, Australia
14. Carl Pettersson, Sweden
15. Tiger Woods, USA

Last year’s Deutsche Bank Championship was also the site of a heavyweight fight between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The two went head-to-head on Labor Day, with Lefty hanging on to win with a 16-under 268.

“For 10 years I’ve struggled against Tiger, this sure feels great to go head-to-head,” said Mickelson, following an impressive performance.

While in the New England area, Mickelson was also able to tee off with former President George H.W. Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, as well as catch a no-hitter by Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz. So, it was an eventful week to say the least.

There may or may not be a no-hitter thrown at Fenway Park this weekend (although the White Sox are in town), but with a $7 million total purse, a $1.26 million winner’s share and another step closer to the FedExCup title on the line, there should be plenty of excitement at the 7,207-yard, Par-71 TPC Boston.

The Deutsche Bank Championship will be televised by GOLF Channel (3:00-6:00 p.m. ET) on Friday and Saturday, before NBC (2:00-6:00 p.m. ET) takes over coverage on Sunday and Monday.