How Do the FedEx Cup Playoffs Work? A Deep Dive

The FedEx Cup Playoffs are the thrilling culmination of the PGA TOUR season, a series of three high-stakes tournaments that determine the season’s overall champion and award a massive $25 million bonus pool. The Playoffs function as a progressive elimination tournament, where players accumulate points based on their performance throughout the regular season and the first two playoff events. Only the top players in the FedExCup standings advance from one event to the next, creating intense competition and dramatic finishes. Ultimately, the player who performs best at the Tour Championship, the final event, and thus tops the FedExCup standings, is crowned the FedExCup Champion. It’s a captivating blend of consistent excellence and peak performance under pressure.

Understanding the FedExCup Points System

Regular Season Points Allocation

Throughout the regular PGA TOUR season, players earn FedExCup points based on their finishing position in each tournament. A standard full-field event awards 500 points to the winner. The four major championships (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship) and THE PLAYERS Championship, regarded as the “fifth major,” award 600 points to the winner, reflecting their prestige and higher level of competition. These points accumulate throughout the season, determining a player’s ranking in the FedExCup standings and their eligibility for the playoffs.

Playoff Points Boost

The real drama begins with the playoffs. The points allocation significantly increases for these three crucial events. Winners of the first two playoff events, the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the BMW Championship, receive a massive 2,000 points, four times the standard regular season allocation. This dramatic boost in points amplifies the importance of performing well during the playoffs, as players can rapidly climb the standings with a strong finish.

The Tour Championship Reset

Before the Tour Championship, the final event at East Lake Golf Club, the FedExCup points are reset to ensure that the top players have the best chance to win the FedExCup. This “Starting Strokes” system awards players pre-determined strokes based on their FedExCup ranking heading into the Tour Championship. The player ranked #1 starts at -10 strokes, #2 at -8 strokes, #3 at -7 strokes, and so on, down to #30 starting at even par. This system guarantees that the FedExCup Champion is the player who plays the best golf at East Lake, effectively merging the season-long performance with a championship-caliber finish.

The Playoff Events: A Tournament-by-Tournament Breakdown

FedEx St. Jude Championship

The FedEx St. Jude Championship kicks off the playoffs, featuring the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this tournament is a crucial opportunity for players to solidify their position and advance to the next stage. After the event, the field is reduced to the top 50 players who then move on to the BMW Championship.

BMW Championship

The BMW Championship represents the second stage of the playoffs. Only the top 50 players remaining in the FedExCup standings are eligible to compete. The host venue for the BMW Championship rotates each year, adding a layer of complexity and requiring players to adapt to different course conditions. Following the BMW Championship, the field is further reduced to the top 30 players, who earn a coveted spot in the Tour Championship.

Tour Championship

The Tour Championship is the grand finale, held annually at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. This event showcases the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings, all vying for the coveted title of FedExCup Champion. As previously mentioned, the Starting Strokes system creates a unique dynamic, where players’ pre-determined starting positions reflect their regular season and playoff performance. The player with the lowest aggregate score, including the starting strokes, after four rounds at East Lake, is crowned the FedExCup Champion, solidifying their place in golf history and reaping the financial rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the FedExCup Playoffs

1. What happens if there is a tie at the Tour Championship?

In the event of a tie for the lowest aggregate score including starting strokes at the Tour Championship, a sudden-death playoff will determine the winner of the tournament. However, even if a player wins the Tour Championship but did not have the lowest overall score including starting strokes, the player with the lowest overall score will still be crowned the FedExCup Champion. This is because the FedExCup Champion is determined by the overall cumulative score including starting strokes, not solely the winner of the Tour Championship tournament itself.

2. Do players who miss the cut in a playoff event still earn FedExCup points?

No, players who miss the cut in any of the playoff events do not earn any FedExCup points for that event. This further emphasizes the importance of making the cut and finishing as high as possible in each tournament.

3. Can a player who didn’t win a tournament during the regular season still win the FedExCup?

Yes, it’s entirely possible. While winning tournaments significantly boosts a player’s FedExCup points, consistent top finishes throughout the regular season and strong performances in the playoffs can propel a player to the top of the standings. The resetting of points before the Tour Championship also provides an opportunity for players who may not have dominated the regular season to contend for the FedExCup title.

4. How is the field determined for each playoff event?

The field for the first playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, is determined by the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings at the end of the regular season. The field then shrinks to the top 50 players for the BMW Championship, and finally to the top 30 players for the Tour Championship.

5. What are the benefits of winning the FedExCup, besides the prize money?

Winning the FedExCup carries significant prestige and numerous benefits, including a five-year exemption on the PGA TOUR, exemptions into all four major championships for the next five years, and exemptions into THE PLAYERS Championship for the next five years. It also elevates the player’s status and marketability, leading to increased endorsement opportunities.

6. What happens if a player is eligible for the playoffs but chooses not to participate?

If a player is eligible for the playoffs but chooses not to participate, they will be removed from the FedExCup standings, and their points will not be redistributed to other players. This typically happens due to injury or personal reasons.

7. How does the FedExCup affect a player’s eligibility for future PGA TOUR events?

A strong performance in the FedExCup Playoffs can significantly improve a player’s eligibility for future PGA TOUR events, particularly for players who are not already exempt based on prior victories or other criteria. Finishing high in the FedExCup standings can secure a player’s spot in limited-field events and major championships.

8. Is there a minimum number of events a player must play in the regular season to be eligible for the FedExCup Playoffs?

No, there is no specific minimum number of events a player must play to be eligible for the FedExCup Playoffs. However, practically speaking, players need to participate in a sufficient number of events to accumulate enough FedExCup points to qualify within the top 70.

9. What is the significance of East Lake Golf Club as the permanent host of the Tour Championship?

East Lake Golf Club holds historical significance as the home course of legendary golfer Bobby Jones. Its challenging layout and demanding conditions provide a fitting test for the top 30 players vying for the FedExCup. Its permanence as the host venue creates a sense of tradition and familiarity for both players and fans.

10. How has the FedExCup system evolved since its inception?

The FedExCup system has undergone several modifications since its inception in 2007, primarily aimed at increasing excitement and ensuring that the FedExCup Champion is also the player who performs best at the Tour Championship. The introduction of the Starting Strokes system in 2019 was a significant change, designed to simplify the scoring and more directly reward season-long performance while still placing a premium on the final event.

11. How does the FedExCup impact the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team selections?

While the FedExCup standings do not directly determine Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team selections, a strong performance throughout the season, particularly in the playoffs, can significantly influence the captain’s picks. Players who demonstrate consistent excellence and the ability to perform under pressure are more likely to be selected for these prestigious international competitions.

12. What strategies do players employ to maximize their chances of winning the FedExCup?

Players employ a variety of strategies, including focusing on consistency throughout the regular season to accumulate a solid base of FedExCup points, peaking at the right time during the playoffs to capitalize on the increased points allocation, and meticulously preparing for the unique challenges of East Lake Golf Club. Strategic course management, mental fortitude, and clutch putting are all essential ingredients for success in the FedExCup Playoffs.

The FedExCup Playoffs provide a compelling narrative arc to the PGA TOUR season, culminating in a dramatic showdown for golf’s ultimate prize. The combination of season-long consistency, playoff heroics, and the pressure-cooker environment of the Tour Championship creates an unforgettable spectacle for players and fans alike.