Before the FedEx Cup Championship, Scottie Scheffler also joined the ranks of disgruntled fans who disagreed with the FedEx Cup format.Number one, Scottie Scheffler. Several players are not fond of the FedEx Cup Tour Championship layout, including the world’
Atlanta – The world’s number one player, Scottie Scheffler, does not appreciate the setup of the Tour Championship. It’s a bit of an odd format, said Scheffler. I feel like I’ve joked about being number one, you don’t get any extra strokes, and then I show up this week, and I get some extra strokes. So, it’s a bit weird, but it should be a fun week.
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Since he was number one in FedEx Cup points after the BMW Championship, he will start the tournament at 10-under. However, Scheffler also doesn’t have confidence in determining the champion in this format.
He said after his practice round on Wednesday, “I wouldn’t say this is the best format to identify the best golfer of the year.”
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“I get it. It’s made for TV… is what they’re saying… as far as identifying the best player throughout the year, I don’t think this is the best format.”
Scheffler had a lead last year as well. However, he couldn’t make it count in the end, with Rory McIlroy chasing him down to win his third FedEx Cup title in the Tour Championship’s final round.
What’s interesting is that since the introduction of this format in 2019, only two players who started at 10-under with a two-shot lead have won: Dustin Johnson in 2020 and Patrick Cantlay in 2021.
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Before 2019, the Tour Championship winner could separate from the FedEx Cup champion. An example of this was in 2018 when Tiger Woods won the tournament, but Justin Rose was crowned the FedEx Cup champion. Calculations for the FedEx Cup champion are complex, which is why changes have been made in the new format.
However, starting with a two-shot lead in the new staggered stroke format doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best golfer of the year.
Although Scheffler won the Jack Nicklaus PGA Tour Player of the Year award in 2022 and has a chance to win it again this year, it doesn’t follow that he will take home the FedEx Cup.
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This model clearly gives players who do well during the season a stroke advantage, but it also penalizes them if they lose.
Rahm—who could also win the Nicklaus award this year—doesn’t like this format either.
Rahm said on Tuesday before the Tour Championship, “I don’t think this is the best. I believe we can come up with a better solution.” Scheffler will also be part of that plan. It remains to be seen whether the Tour makes changes for the 2024 Tour Championship or not.
Golf is covered by Savannah Leh Richardson, an ESPN staff writer.