Finally! PGA Tour’s controversial FedEx Cup format set for change

Adam Scott and the PGA Tour policy board want to make the season-ending Tour Championship ‘more like the Stanley Cup’…

For all the things the PGA Tour does right, the format for its FedEx Cup season-ending Tour Championship is not one of them.

The current system, similar to the Gundersen method, sees the final 30 tee up at East Lake with a handicap based on their position in the FedEx Cup standings. But it has proven unpopular with the fans since being introduced in 2019 as the PGA Tour attempted to eliminate the previous scenario where two winners were crowned at the end of the tournament.

Turns out the players don’t like it either.

Speaking to Golfweek, Adam Scott said he joined the PGA Tour’s policy board to “help turn the FedEx Cup into one of the biggest trophies in sports – like the Stanley Cup or Lombardi Trophy”.

“I thought I could give good perspective and help make it more straightforward, easy, and more respected throughout all sports,” he added.

The only problem is he’s been “sidetracked” by all the “PIF stuff”.

Another player director, Camilo Villegas, is also keen. “We’ve been running in circles talking about it. We want to make the right change.”

And it looks like it will happen this year, with changes to make the tournament “of more consequence”. Scott added that the next step involves making sure everyone involved – from TV rights holders to sponsors – “have a level of comfort” with the decision.

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So what’s likely to change?

Well the good news is it looks like the handicap system is out. The format sees the leading player going into the Tour Championship start on 10-under-par, the player in second start on 8-under-par, and so on. Scott told Golfweek he sees it as “gimmicky”, while Sam Burns added that it’s “confusing”.

But those – and there are a lot – who are hoping for a bracket-style match play playoff system are going to be disappointed. Scott said the idea was discussed “for months”, but ultimately explained that “it’s hard to wrap your head around you play one style all season and then your final event is an entirely different format”, and that “it seems compelling early in the week but when Nos. 1 and 2 lose early you’re in for a long weekend and there’s also not a lot of golf”.

Former board member turned NBC analyst Kevin Kisner, meanwhile, said last month: “I like the one that TV is pushing. There would be a cut to the Round of 16 on Friday, eight play Saturday, top four duke it out on Sunday and five to eight play for their [final] position.”  

“I’m biased. I like whatever TV likes. They’re our biggest money partner and I like playing for a lot of money.

“That was one of the ideas. I don’t know if that is still the direction. I think it will be a more traditional tournament with more consequence. I don’t want to spoil the surprise too much.”

One issue the PGA Tour has is that the 2025 FedEx Cup is almost halfway done, so Scott is asking for patience. “It might be impossible to change everything this year because we can’t change points and this, that and the other so hopefully this year will be a bridge to next year,” he added.

Whatever they decide to do, “it’s a tournament that, going forward, is going to be what everybody wants to win”, Burns explained. “It’s going to be a better tournament for the players, a better tournament for the sponsors, and really everyone involved.”