GOLF · 1 year ago

How the PGA FedExCup Playoffs Work: Complete Guide to BMW and Beyond

Sportsgrid Staff

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How the PGA FedExCup Playoffs Work: Complete Guide to BMW and Beyond

Understanding the PGA FedExCup Playoff Structure: A Detailed Walkthrough

The PGA FedExCup Playoffs stand as the ultimate test in professional golf, where the top PGA TOUR players compete fiercely for the prestigious title. This playoff series, divided into three rounds, is crafted to increase the tension and drama with each stage as the number of competitors dwindles. Here’s an in-depth look at how the FedExCup Playoffs unfold, starting from the first event and culminating in the crowning of the season’s champion.

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Last Week’s St. Jude Championship Shook the Standings

The journey to the FedExCup began with last week’s St. Jude Championship, the first of three playoff events. Last week’s tournament showcased the top 70 players from the FedExCup standings, all of whom had earned their spots based on the points they accumulated throughout the season. Unlike the usual PGA TOUR events, the St. Jude Championship did not implement a typical two-round cut. Instead, all players competed across four full rounds, with their overall performance and points-in-pocket determining their advancement.

By the tournament’s conclusion, the field was reduced to the top 50 players in the season standings. These golfers moved forward to the next stage, while the remaining 20 saw their playoff aspirations come to an end. This format created intense pressure, as each stroke could mean the difference between moving on or being eliminated.

Hideki Matsuyama emerged as the victor, securing a $3.6 million prize and earning 2000 FedExCup points. His impressive performance vaulted him from eighth to third in the season standings, solidifying his position among the top contenders in the playoffs.

The BMW Championship: The Pivotal Playoff Battle (Aug. 22)

The BMW Championship serves as the intense second stage of the FedExCup Playoffs. With the field narrowed down to just 50 elite players, the competition heats up as they vie for one of the 30 spots in the final playoff event. Like the St. Jude Championship, the BMW Championship features no cut, allowing all players to battle through four full rounds. However, only the top 30 in the FedExCup standings will advance.

BMW Championship Outright Winner	Top 5 Odds at FanDuel
Scottie Scheffler	+300
Xander Schauffele	+550
Rory McIlroy	+12o0
Collin Morikawa	+1400
Patrick Cantlay	+1800
Hideki Matsuyama	+1800
Viktor Hovland	+1800

Success at the BMW Championship is crucial, as the points accumulated here can significantly shift a player’s position in the standings. Securing a top-30 finish means earning a ticket to the TOUR Championship, where the FedExCup champion will be crowned.

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The TOUR Championship: The Ultimate Showdown (Aug. 29)

The TOUR Championship marks the culmination of the FedExCup Playoffs, showcasing the top 30 golfers who have excelled in the previous rounds. What sets this event apart is its distinctive starting strokes format, where each player’s starting score is determined by their FedExCup ranking:

The top-ranked player begins at 10-under par
The second-ranked golfer starts at 8-under par
The third-ranked competitor opens at 7-under par
The fourth-ranked player tees off at 6-under par
The fifth-ranked golfer begins at 5-under par
Players ranked 6th to 10th start at 4-under par
Those in positions 11th to 15th start at 3-under par
Players ranked 16th to 20th begin at 2-under par
Golfers ranked 21st to 25th start at 1-under par
The remaining players, ranked 26th to 30th, start at even par

This staggered scoring system rewards the season’s top performers while ensuring the competition remains fierce, giving all 30 participants a shot at claiming the FedExCup title.

What’s on the Line in the FedExCup Playoffs?

The FedExCup Playoffs conclude with a single player emerging as the FedExCup Champion, a title that carries immense prestige and a hefty financial prize. The stakes are high, with a staggering $25 million awarded to the ultimate victor. This playoff structure highlights the importance of consistency, where every shot, every round, and every tournament can be the difference in the pursuit of the FedExCup crown.

Top 10 PGA FedEx Cup Point Standings Before BMW Championship

This Week Rank	Last Week Rank	Player	Events	Points	Points Behind Lead	# of Wins	# of Top-10s
1	1	Scottie Scheffler	17	6,543	–	6	15
2	2	Xander Schauffele	19	5,037	1,496	2	13
3	8	Hideki Matsuyama	17	3,899	2,634	2	6
4	4	Collin Morikawa	19	2,596	3,937	–	7
5	3	Rory McIlroy	17	2,559	3,974	2	6
6	5	Wyndham Clark	18	2,504	4.029	1	7
7	6	Ludvig Åberg	17	2,146	4,387	–	7
8	7	Sahith Theegala	22	2,076	4,457	–	7
9	11	Patrick Cantlay	17	2,017	4,516	–	4
10	9	Sungjae Im	23	1,950	4,583	–	7

The FedExCup Playoffs bring an exhilarating and high-stakes finish to the PGA TOUR season. This structured elimination process whittles down the competition, ensuring that only the top-performing and most reliable players advance to the final stage. In the end, one golfer will rise above the rest to claim the coveted title of FedExCup champion.