World No. 1 Scotty Scheffler has questioned the “foolish” format of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and whether or not it’s the proper option to decide the PGA Tour’s season-long winner.
Solely the highest 70 within the season-long standings will qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the primary of three FedEx Cup Playoffs that may start reside Thursday. sky sports activities golfthe highest 50 will advance to subsequent week’s BMW Championship.
The highest 30 gamers then qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake, the place the FedEx Cup leaders begin the week at 10 below, with beginning scores used based mostly on a participant’s place within the standings. system.
Scheffler has topped the Tour Championship the previous two seasons however did not go on to win the FedEx Cup, dropping to Rory McIlroy on the ultimate day in 2022 and Viktor Hovland taking the highest spot final season.
“I believe it is silly,” Scheffler stated earlier than the FedEx St. Jude Championship. “You’ll be able to’t name it a season-long recreation after which boil it right down to a championship.
“Suppose we get to East Lake and my neck all of the sudden will get infected and it does not heal prefer it did at The Gamers Championship and I end thirtieth within the FedExCup as a result of I needed to pull out of the final event? That is actually a recreation that lasts the entire time. Season recreation?
“It is a enjoyable recreation. I do not see it as a recreation that lasts your complete season, as a lot as I believe it’s going to. However it’s a must to discover a option to be in a state of affairs the place it is a good TV product and it is nonetheless is an effective steadiness between TV merchandise.
“Now, I do not know what the rankings are like, or something like that, however I do know that in terms of a stroke play recreation, you may’t actually name it a season-long event. It is the identical golf course yearly. “
Scheffler heads into the playoffs forward of Xander Schauffele and McIlroy within the FedEx Cup standings, looking for a report fourth FedEx Cup title with six wins on the 2024 PGA Tour He additionally achieved dramatic success on the Olympics.
4 factors from the primary two playoff video games may change Scheffler’s place forward of the Tour Championship, with the reigning Masters champion insisting he’ll look again on the season positively even when he misses out on the FedEx Cup title for the third straight 12 months.
“I attempt to not suppose an excessive amount of concerning the final result of the sport, and if I do not win East Lake, I will not look again on my season any in a different way,” Scheffler added. “I will be there and do my finest.
“The previous two years I have been ranked No. 1 going into tournaments. In 2022, I had an important likelihood to win however could not make it occur and performed poorly nearly your complete week final 12 months.
“I’ve had shut calls there and I am trying ahead to the problem of getting again on the market and main once more. We’ll see what occurs. These guys will most likely catch me within the subsequent few weeks. However I”I Trying ahead to beating them off and heading into East Lake with a lead.
McIlroy sees positives in FedEx Cup format
McIlroy gained the 2016 FedEx Cup because the Tour Championship below the previous format, when the event and season-long standings have been two separate prizes, after which turned the primary champion below the brand new format in 2019. Then a report third FedEx Cup win in 2022.
“I like this format as a result of if it wasn’t for this format, then we would not have had an opportunity towards Scottie as a result of he was to date forward,” McIlroy stated. “I believe it makes the Tour Championship extra thrilling from a shopper perspective.
“Is that the fairest reflection of who’s the participant of the 12 months? In all probability not. However I believe at this level we’re not being fully honest, we’re there to entertain and attempt to put out the most effective product we presumably can.
“Yeah, it was the primary 12 months of beginning the Tour Championship in 2019 and I used to be capable of win that event after which win once more in ’22. I really like the format. It feels a bit of bit like within the common season not everyone seems to be in the identical place. On a degree taking part in subject, nevertheless it feels extra prefer it.
Watch the FedEx St Jude Championship reside on Thursday from 1.15pm on Sky Sports activities+ and 5pm on Sky Sports activities+ sky sports activities golf. Sky Sports activities+ Has been formally launched and shall be merged into sky tvStreaming providers Now and Sky Sports Appthis 12 months Sky Sports activities prospects can watch greater than 50% of reside sports activities occasions without spending a dime. Learn more here.