Golf: Scott's PGA season on brink

Caddie Steve Williams, left, and Adam Scott. File photo / AP

Mediocre year for former world No1 could still end in riches for 94th-ranked Aussie.

Former world No 1 Adam Scott and hopeful Presidents Cup teammate John Senden are in the hot seat in New Jersey this week, playing to continue their US PGA Tour seasons.

Scott is the lowest ranked of just six Australians to have qualified for the lucrative end-of-season playoffs - in 94th spot after a mediocre year by his lofty standards.

Without a top-three finish this season for the first time since 2002, Scott must perform under the pump at The Barclays at Plainfield Country Club this week if he is to make his sixth consecutive tour championship next month.

With 120 of the 125 qualifiers set to tee up it is mathematically possible Scott could advance to next week's Deutsche Bank Championship - only for the top 100 - with a missed cut, but it would be highly unlikely.

And just surviving is not what former Masters champion Scott is about.

A winner at The Barclays in 2013, the Queenslander still has designs on going all the way to claim the FedEx Cup and the US$10 million ($15.3 million) bonus.

"The good part about the playoffs when you are in this position is if you just get to The Barclays you can win the whole thing," Scott said.

"The playoffs is about how you play in these four weeks so I am a chance."

For Senden, at 88th on the points list, The Barclays is both a test for survival and an audition for a coveted Presidents Cup position.

The veteran has made no secret of his desire to make the International team for October's matches against the US and after being a mainstay inside the top 10 automatic qualification zone all year has slipped to 13th with just two weeks remaining.

He needs to play well this week to ensure another week of audition time - if he's unable to crack the top 10 he could still be picked as one of Nick Price's two captain's picks.

"I really want to make the team in the top 10 and earn my place rather than rely on a captain's pick," Senden said. "I know I have to play well to make the team and it just comes down to me ... getting it done."

Steven Bowditch, 22nd in the FedEx standings and 12th on the International team list, and Matt Jones, 55th in the FedEx and 16th in the International rankings, are in a similar spot to Senden when it comes to the Presidents Cup.

World No3 Jason Day will spearhead both the International team and the Australian playoff tilt as he enters the playoffs behind only world No1 Jordan Spieth on points.

Marc Leishman (50th) is a lock for the International side - in sixth spot in the rankings - and will also line up in New Jersey.

- AAP