The Sanderson Farm Championship (formerly known as the Viking Classic) doesn’t have the same following as this week’s British Open, but it is a pivotal tournament for many PGA Tour players.

This week gives those who were unable to qualify for the year’s third major an opportunity to earn some valuable FedEx Cup points without some of the game’s more dominant players in the field.

Although the winner at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Miss., will only receive 300 FedExCup points compared to the usual 500, and a check closer to $500,000 instead of the usual $900,000-plus, the full two-year exemption will still be awarded — leaving these players with plenty of goodies on the table.

Charles Howell III comes into the week with the highest FedExCup ranking in the field after missing out on qualifying for The Open Championship by just 18 FedExCup points. Howell will undoubtedly be looking to use this week as a building block to power himself into a good position as we creep toward the 2013 Playoffs.

A player to watch this week is Mike Weir. Weir’s scrambling and putting skills make him a good dark horse pick. And this time of year seems to be one of promise each year for Canada’s most famous golfer, with his nation’s open (RBC Canadian Open) just a week away. Look for him to bring his “A” game both this week and next when the Tour makes its annual stop in Canada.

A golfer who could really use a win is Charlie Beljan. As the 2013 regular season begins to round down, Beljan is one of many players in the field in dire need of FedExCup points in order to extend his season all the way to the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Beljan is known for his energetic personality on the golf course, and will look to utilize his length this week as he looks for his second win in the past 10 months.

Annandale, a 7,157-yard, par-72 course, provides golfers with a tough challenge on No. 14. The 473-yard, par-4 hole has an out-of-bounds left that extends from tee to green, and punishing rough lurks down the right side of this long par 4 putting a premium on accuracy off the tee. Even after finding the fairway, players are left with a daunting approach as this two-tiered green is protected by a creek behind it and bunkers on either side.

On the other hand, the 522-yard, par-5 No. 5 proved to be the easiest hole in 2012. This relatively short par 5 will give even the shorter hitters an opportunity to attack the green in two. However, with water lurking short and bunkers guarding either side of the green players will be forced to be accurate if trying to get home in two.

The Sanderson Farms Championship will air on Golf Channel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET Thursday through Sunday.