Just this week and next remain to be in the top-125 in FedExCup points and qualify for the rich end of year series but the game within the game is to make the top-30.

Also on the line are several end of season awards, the most intriguing for Rookie Of The Year in one of the more interesting seasons in that regard in memory.

Will Zalatoris, Sahith Theegala and Open runner-up Cameron Young are all in that race and all in the field this week.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Cam Davis claimed his maiden PGA Tour title in what can only be described as typically Cam Davis fashion.

An eagle-birdie finish got him into a play-off with Joaquin Niemann and Troy Merritt which he went on to win on the fifth extra hole.

Davis’ quiet demeanour has always meant he flies under the radar and even after this performance last year that remains the case.

RIGHT: Aussie Cam Davis claimed his first PGA Tour title here last year in a five hole play-off. PHOTO: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.

COURSE: Detroit Golf Club is among the oldest in America and boasts two 18 hole Donald Ross courses.

The North Course is used for the tournament but while the legendary designer’s name is attached to the layout much of his work had been lost over time.

Critics point out major changes to the green complexes and cross bunkering in particular with the course also now playing much narrower than historically thanks to tree encroachment.

Not only is the test less interesting than perhaps it once was but it has done little to curb scoring with only the 2021 event not reaching beyond 20-under-par to crown a champion.

As Davis showed last year, the finish can be particularly exciting here with the prospect of an eagle two at the long 17th meaning only the biggest of leads can be considered safe late Sunday.

PRIZEMONEY: US$8,400,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The defending champion will bring some confidence into this week after a good run in the lead up.

Back-to-back top-10 finishes at the start of July and a decent showing at last week’s 3M Open (T16) suggest all parts of the Sydneysider’s game are in good order.

Davis doesn’t generate the attention of many of his peers, but he is quietly going about building a fabulous career on the PGA Tour.

Detroit Golf Club's North Course is quite a different proposition to what Donald Ross originally laid out here. PHOTO: Leon Halip/Getty Images.

He also knows how to win and isn’t afraid of big moments so it would be no surprise if he was in the mix again this week.

Three players who will definitely not be flying under the radar this week are the rookie of the Year contenders Will Zalatoris, Cameron Young and Sahith Theegala.

Zalatoris has been a favourite on social media for the best part of two years and rightly so with a game that (putting aside) is purpose built for tournament golf.

He has contended in two majors in his rookie season and while yet to win on Tour, it seems like a formality that he will, and soon.

Young was extremely impressive at St. Andrews, particularly on Sunday when the pressure was at its greatest.

His final round 65 was bettered only by the eventual champion and under the circumstances was as fine a round of golf as you are likely to see.

Importantly, it will have done wonders for Young’s confidence and that could well show up this week with a first Tour title.

Theegala hasn’t performed as well as the other two in the majors but his week-to-week play has been excellent.

28 starts with just six missed cuts and five top-10 finishes is superb golf for a rookie and while he missed the cut last week that is more of a blip than a pattern.

72-HOLE RECORD: 263 (-25, Nate Lashley, 2019)

18-HOLE RECORD: 63 (Nate Lashley, J.T. Poston, Davis Thompson) 

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Cam Davis (2021)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Brett Drewitt, Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy, Cam Davis, Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 3:30am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides