The PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs begin on Aug. 7 with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at the TPC Southwind in Memphis. Except No. 2 Rory McIlroy, all of the players among the top 70 on the points list are present and ready to go. Cameron Young's victory last week in the Wyndham Championship capped the regular season.

The captain told Sports Illustrated that the event in Napa, Calif., will help prepare players for Bethpage, two years after second-guessing around the Americans’ readiness for Rome.

Simpson's one of several players who has passed on FedEx Cup Playoffs events in the past for more rest. Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are among those who have without penalty.