This Year's FedEx Cup Playoffs Have Added Intrigue

Posted by zz Dan Hauser

Updated on September 23rd, 2015

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Published in Golf

The concept of the FedEx Cup Playoffs isn't an exact science, but then again, very few things in life and sports are. The playoff system has had its issues in its young existence and for the most part, changes have been made to improve the system. 

When the FedEx Cup was first implemented in 2007, the points system was set up in a way where golfers routinely had the FedEx Cup locked up before the playoffs were even over. In 2007, the first year of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Tiger Woods won the Cup by 12,578 points.

As a result, in 2008 the PGA Tour made rules changes to help make the playoffs more exciting. In February 2008, changes were made to allow more golfers a chance to improve their positions on the points list as the playoffs progress. The changes involved a tightening of the playoff reset points and awarding more points to playoff participants. In addition, in November, a new rule was put in place a winner couldn't be dertermined until after the Tour Championship in order to ensure that all golfers had to play in the season’s final event.

While these changes were ultimately made to make the FedEx Cup playoffs more competitive, it made the concept of a season long race flawed. It wasn't about who had the best season anymore. Instead, it rewarded the golfer that got hot over the final few months. In 2013, Tiger won 3 times, yet Henrik Stenson won the FedEx Cup. Last year, it was no question that Palm Beach Gardens resident Rory Mcllroy was the best player of the 2014 season. He won 3 times, including 2 majors and a WGC event. Billy Horschel got hot late in the playoffs and won the FedEx Cup. 

While those two years you could ultimately justify the winners, this year could prove to be the most flawed year yet and could ultimately result in sweeping changes to the FedEx Cup system by Camp Ponte Vedra. 

It's no question that Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler have been the three best golfers of 2015. The three have combined to win 11 events, including 3 majors and all 3 of the playoff events heading into this week's finale. Yet, there are plenty of scenarios where none of the three of them leave East Lake with the FedEx Cup title.

Due to the points reset that now takes place before the Tour Championship, giving the top 5 a chance to control their own destiny, Henrik Stenson could win the Tour Championship sitting at #4 and win his second FedEx Cup despite not winning an event on the PGA Tour during the 2014-2015 season. 

Now, Jason, Jordan, or Rickie could win on Sunday and make this whole point mute. However, the fact that this is even a discussion, shows how flawed the system still is.