How Do FedEx Cup Points Work? A Deep Dive into the PGA TOUR’s Season-Long Race

The FedEx Cup is the PGA TOUR’s season-long points race that culminates in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a series of three high-stakes tournaments where the top players battle it out for the coveted FedEx Cup trophy and a hefty $18 million prize. FedEx Cup points are essentially your currency on the PGA TOUR, determining your eligibility for the Playoffs and your starting position in the season-ending TOUR Championship. They are awarded based on performance throughout the regular season and significantly increased during the Playoffs, ultimately leading to a staggered-strokes format at the TOUR Championship to determine the overall champion.

Understanding the Regular Season Point Distribution

The regular season is the foundation upon which the FedEx Cup is built. Players accumulate points based on their finishing position in each official PGA TOUR event. Here’s the breakdown:

Standard PGA TOUR Events

For most standard PGA TOUR events, including full-field events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational or the RBC Heritage, the winner receives 500 FedEx Cup points. Points are then awarded down the leaderboard, decreasing incrementally for each subsequent finishing position. The distribution is designed to reward consistently high finishes. Even players who consistently make the cut and finish inside the top 20 or top 30 will steadily accumulate a respectable points total.

Major Championships and THE PLAYERS Championship

Major Championships (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship) and THE PLAYERS Championship are considered more prestigious and offer a more significant points boost. Winners of these events receive 600 FedEx Cup points, reflecting the higher level of competition and the increased importance of these tournaments.

Alternate Field Events

During weeks when a Major Championship or World Golf Championship is held, alternate field events are staged. These tournaments offer fewer points (typically 300 to the winner) and provide opportunities for players outside the top tier to improve their standing and earn valuable FedEx Cup points.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs: Where the Stakes Skyrocket

The FedEx Cup Playoffs represent a dramatic escalation in the points awarded and the pressure on the players. The Playoffs consist of three events:

• FedEx St. Jude Championship: This is the first of the Playoff events, featuring the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings.
• BMW Championship: The top 50 players from the FedEx St. Jude Championship advance to the BMW Championship.
• TOUR Championship: Only the top 30 players from the BMW Championship qualify for the TOUR Championship.

Playoff Points Structure

Crucially, the points awarded during the Playoffs are quadrupled compared to the regular season. This means the winner of each Playoff event receives 2,000 FedEx Cup points, a substantial leap that can drastically alter a player’s position in the standings. This inflated points system emphasizes performance at the most critical juncture of the season and ensures that players playing well down the stretch have a legitimate chance to contend for the FedEx Cup.

The TOUR Championship: The Staggered Start

The TOUR Championship employs a unique staggered-strokes format. Based on their FedEx Cup points ranking entering the TOUR Championship, players start the tournament with a score adjusted accordingly. The player with the most FedEx Cup points entering the TOUR Championship starts at -10 under par. The player ranked second starts at -8 under par, and so on, with players ranked 26th to 30th starting at even par.

Ensuring a Clear Champion

This system guarantees that the player who wins the TOUR Championship also wins the FedEx Cup. It rewards regular season performance while ensuring a compelling final tournament where every stroke matters. The format aims to create a clear and decisive conclusion to the season-long race, eliminating any ambiguity about who is the true FedEx Cup champion.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into the FedEx Cup System

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of the FedEx Cup system:

1. What happens if there’s a tie for first place in a regular season event?

In the event of a tie, the FedEx Cup points for that position and the next position are added together and then divided equally among the players tied. For example, if two players tie for first place in a standard event, the points for first place (500) and second place (300) are added together (800) and divided by two, resulting in each player receiving 400 FedEx Cup points.

2. How does a player qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs?

To qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a player must finish within the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the regular season.

3. Do non-PGA TOUR members earn FedEx Cup points?

Non-members can earn FedEx Cup points if they finish high enough in an event. However, they are not eligible to compete in the FedEx Cup Playoffs unless they become members of the PGA TOUR before the start of the Playoffs.

4. What happens to FedEx Cup points earned by a player who becomes ineligible during the season?

If a player becomes ineligible for any reason (e.g., injury or suspension), their FedEx Cup points are removed, and the standings are adjusted accordingly.

5. Can a player who didn’t win a tournament during the regular season still win the FedEx Cup?

Yes, it’s entirely possible. While winning tournaments provides a significant advantage, consistent high finishes throughout the regular season and strong performances in the Playoffs can propel a player to the top of the FedEx Cup standings, even without a regular season victory.

6. Are there any other ways to earn FedEx Cup points besides finishing in tournaments?

No, the only way to earn FedEx Cup points is through performance in official PGA TOUR events.

7. What happens if a player wins multiple tournaments in a season?

Winning multiple tournaments significantly increases a player’s FedEx Cup points total, improving their chances of securing a high seed in the Playoffs and ultimately contending for the FedEx Cup.

8. How does the FedEx Cup affect a player’s eligibility for future PGA TOUR seasons?

Finishing within the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings generally guarantees a player’s PGA TOUR card for the following season. This is a crucial incentive for players to accumulate points and maintain their status on the TOUR.

9. Is there a minimum number of events a player must play to be eligible for the FedEx Cup Playoffs?

No, there is no minimum number of events required to be eligible for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. However, players who play in more events generally have a better opportunity to accumulate points.

10. What are the benefits of being a high seed entering the TOUR Championship?

A higher seed entering the TOUR Championship translates to starting the tournament with a lower score, providing a significant advantage over players with lower seeds. This head start makes it easier for top-ranked players to contend for the FedEx Cup title.

11. How does the staggered-strokes format at the TOUR Championship impact strategy?

The staggered-strokes format influences player strategy significantly. Players with a larger deficit need to play aggressively to close the gap, while those with a lead may adopt a more conservative approach.

12. Has anyone ever won the FedEx Cup from a low seed entering the TOUR Championship?

Yes, it’s happened. While difficult, players entering the TOUR Championship with a lower seed have overcome the deficit and won the FedEx Cup, demonstrating that anything is possible in golf and highlighting the importance of performing well at the season’s final event.

The FedEx Cup system is a complex but ultimately rewarding mechanism that adds another layer of excitement and competition to the PGA TOUR. It incentivizes consistent performance throughout the season, rewards success in the Playoffs, and culminates in a dramatic TOUR Championship where the ultimate champion is crowned. Understanding how the points system works is crucial for any golf fan seeking to fully appreciate the intricacies of the PGA TOUR.