Scottie Scheffler heads into the PGA Tour’s postseason as the number one seed by a significant margin, with the FedEx Cup and its $25 million prize still a distant goal. The FedEx Cup playoffs kick off at the St. Jude Championship, welcoming the top 70 players from the season standings. After this event, the top 50 will proceed to the BMW Championship, with the final 30 players advancing to the Tour Championship.
Despite an impressive season including victories at the Masters, an Olympic gold medal, The Players Championship, and four prestigious events against tough competition, Scheffler does not view the playoffs as a chance to emphasize his accomplishments. The FedEx Cup playoffs are known for their unpredictability, making it challenging for players to maintain their positions.
East Lake, the venue for the Tour Championship, has undergone renovations that might work in Scheffler’s favor, as he seeks to improve his previous performances at the event. The playoff format, in place since 2019, offers the top seed a two-shot advantage starting at 10-under par for the Tour Championship but has yet to see a top seed emerge victoriously.
Rory McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup champion, appreciates the current format for providing opportunities to contenders like himself, even if it might not always reflect the year’s best player accurately. The FedEx St. Jude Championship also holds importance for players aiming to secure a spot among the top 50 and access lucrative signature events.
Notably, the competition includes strong contenders like Xander Schauffele, the second seed, with an impressive record at East Lake. Schauffele, a winner of major championships and consistent top-10 finishes, views the upcoming weeks as pivotal to maintaining his position. The revamped East Lake adds an element of novelty for players familiar with the previous layout.
As players gear up for the FedEx Cup playoffs, the tournament promises excitement and challenges, setting the stage for an intense and competitive postseason journey.
