Criticism That Playoffs Lack Thrilling Competition
All 30 Tour Championship Players to Start With Same Score
Every Participant Now a Title Contender, Heightening Excitement
The bonus stroke system will be abolished at the Tour Championship, the final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs (PO) on the PGA Tour.
On May 27 (local time), the PGA Tour announced that, starting this year, all 30 players in the Tour Championship will begin with the same score. Until last year, the Tour Championship started with players receiving bonus strokes based on their FedEx Cup ranking points. For example, Scottie Scheffler (USA), who was ranked No. 1 in FedEx Cup points last year, began the first round at 10-under par, while the No. 2 player started at 8-under par. This system, introduced in 2019, was designed to make it easier for the season-long points leader to win both the Tour Championship and the PO FedEx Cup title.
However, the bonus stroke system led to criticism that the Tour Championship had a predetermined outcome and lacked the thrilling competition expected of the Playoffs. With the elimination of bonus strokes, all 30 participants now become contenders for the title. Commissioner Jay Monahan stated, "It will be the most competitive golf in the world, on a stage with the highest rewards, and played in the most intuitive and immersive format."
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