You hear the commentators buzzing about it every August, see the logo on every broadcast, and know it’s a big deal, but you've probably wondered, What exactly *are* the golf playoffs? Unlike a single, standalone major championship, the playoffs are a season-long chase that culminates in a nail-biting, dramatic finish. This guide will walk you through exactly what the FedExCup Playoffs are, how players get there, and what they’re competing for.
Think of the FedExCup Playoffs as the postseason for professional golf on the PGA TOUR. Just like the NFL or NBA playoffs, it’s not really about who was the best in a single game but who can survive and advance through a high-pressure, multi-stage finale to be crowned the ultimate champion of the season. It’s a series of three tournaments that take place after the "regular season" wraps up, designed to identify the single best player for that entire year.
Before the playoff system was introduced in 2007, the season-long champion was often determined by the money list, which could sometimes feel anti-climactic. The FedExCup was created to generate a clear, exciting finish to the season. It adds a layer of consequence and drama that keeps fans and players locked in until the very last putt drops. A player can have a great year, but if they falter in the playoffs, they can get bounced. Similarly, a player who heats up at the right time can make a run and cash in on a historic payday and a career-defining title.
The journey to the playoffs begins the previous fall. Throughout the PGA TOUR's regular season, from October to August, players are on a nonstop quest to accumulate FedExCup points. Practically every official event offers these points, and performance dictates the reward.
Not all tournaments are created equal, however. The biggest events have inflated point values. The four major championships (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship) along with THE PLAYERS Championship offer more points, making performance in those a massive factor in sorting out the final standings.
The entire season builds toward one cutoff point. At the conclusion of the final regular-season event, the top 70 players on the FedExCup points list earn their spot in the first playoff tournament. For those on the edge, this creates incredible late-season drama. You'll often see players on "the bubble" – sitting around 70th place – grinding to make one more cut or secure one more top-25 finish just to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Once the top 70 players are set, the playoffs begin - a progressive, three-event sprint that culls the field each week. A player’s regular-season points carry over, but things are reset slightly to ensure the finals remain competitive. What truly shakes things up is that points are quadrupled during the first two playoff events, meaning a hot streak can dramatically alter the standings.
The final event, the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club, is where things get really unique. The top 30 survivors face off not just for a tournament title, but for the FedExCup itself. To make the finale as easy to follow as possible, tournament officials introduced a staggered-start system in 2019.
Before this, it was possible for one player to win the TOUR Championship tournament itself, while another player with a better overall point total could win the FedExCup. It was confusing. The staggered start, known as the "Starting Strokes" format, solves this problem entirely.
The player's FedExCup standing coming into the week determines their starting score for the tournament. Think of it as a head start based on their performance all year long and through the first two playoff events. Here’s how it works:
With this system, the traditional tournament leaderboard is everything. The player who posts the lowest total score over four days - their 72-hole score combined with their starting strokes - is crowned both the TOUR Champion and the FedExCup Champion. It's a "winner-take-all" format that provides ultimate clarity and excitement.
Why do players grind all season and battle through the immense pressure of the playoffs? The rewards are monumental and extend far beyond a single tournament win.
First and foremost, there's the money. The total bonus pool for the playoffs is in the tens of millions, with the FedExCup champion taking home a staggering $18 million first-place prize. This kind of payout can change the lives of players and their families forever.
Beyond the purse is the prestige. Winning the FedExCup places a player in the pantheon of golf's greats. Their name is etched on the trophy alongside legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth. It validates an entire season of excellence and solidifies their legacy as one of the best in the game.
Finally, there are the invaluable perks. Just making it to the TOUR Championship is a huge career achievement. The top 30 finishers secure exemptions into the most sought-after tournaments for the following season, including guaranteed spots in all four major championships. This frees them from the stress of qualifying for the biggest events, allowing them to map out their schedule and focus squarely on peak performance.
The FedExCup Playoffs transformed the end of the PGA TOUR season from a gentle wind-down into a roaring, high-stakes conclusion. It's a brutal-yet-thrilling three-week sprint where players' entire seasons are defined, fortunes are made, and one ultimate champion is crowned.
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