Scottie Scheffler: Major Format Changes Coming to Tour Championship
Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1, has revealed that significant changes are coming to the PGA Tour's Tour Championship and FedEx Cup Playoffs format. As a member of the Player Advisory Council (PAC), Scheffler is directly involved in developing these changes.
The current playoff format has faced criticism from Scheffler, who argues that a season-long race shouldn't be decided by a single tournament. Under the existing system, the Tour Championship assigns starting scores based on FedEx Cup rankings, with the leader starting at 10 under par.
Despite winning the 2024 Tour Championship and its $25 million prize, plus an additional $8 million for leading the regular season, Scheffler maintains that the format needs improvement. He emphasizes the need for "purest forms of competition" and questions whether starting strokes is the best approach.
While specific details about the new format remain under wraps, Scheffler confirmed that multiple options are being considered. The PAC, which includes players at various career stages, is working to ensure the changes benefit the entire Tour.
Rory McIlroy, World No. 2, also weighed in on potential changes, suggesting a match play format for the Tour Championship. However, he acknowledged this might not be ideal for determining a season-long champion. McIlroy stressed that whatever format is chosen must be simple and easy for fans to understand.
The PAC continues to evaluate different formats, with changes expected to be implemented for the 2025 Tour Championship.
Current Tour Championship Format:
- Three playoff events
- Final event assigns starting scores based on FedEx Cup ranking
- Leader starts at 10 under par
- Critics say it diminishes season-long performance
- Winner receives $25 million prize
The Tour and its player representatives are focused on creating a format that better reflects the season-long nature of the FedEx Cup while maintaining competitive integrity and viewer engagement.