South Africa's Ernie Els is relieved to have qualified for Atlanta

The Big Easy squeezed into the event for the top-30 money winners with two up-and-downs on the final two holes at the Chrysler Championship in Tampa.

"Normally I just go in there like it's no big deal. But earning my spot this year was really hard work," admitted the South African.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be high-profile absentees in Atlanta.

Woods has ended his season a week early to "recharge his batteries" and misses the Tour Championship for the first time in his career.

I haven't had much to grab on to this year on the PGA Tour, so it's a bit of a relief Ernie Els

Mickelson packed away his clubs for the season after the USA's Ryder Cup defeat at the K Club in Ireland.

Els will take on a high-quality field of 27 at East Lake that features seven of the world's top-10 players.

"I think I'll be the happiest guy in the field this week," beamed Els: "Two great up-and-downs on 17 and 18 kept me in the top 30 and that means I tee it up this week in Atlanta.

"I haven't had much to grab on to this year on the PGA Tour, so it's a bit of a relief.

"Believe me, I'll remember those shots for a long time, without them I would have finished 31st on the money list by $852 and missed out by one spot - it was that close!"

Els has found titles hard to come by this season and has now gone two years without a win on the PGA Tour.