The PGA Tour’s postseason is here, launching a three-week chase for one of golf’s richest prizes.
During the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, the top 70 players in the season-long standings competed for a share of a $100 million bonus pool. The field has now shrunk to 50 after this first event, and will shrink further to 30 for the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where the winner takes home $10 million.
For players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, it’s a shot at history; for those near the qualification bubble, it’s a high-stakes fight to keep their seasons alive. This sprint combines elite competition, massive payouts, and Ryder Cup implications, making August the most intense month on the golf calendar.
Understanding the FedExCup Format
The FedExCup is a season-long points race, introduced in 2007 to add a playoff system to the PGA Tour. Players earn points at every tournament, with higher finishes bringing more points.
After the regular season ends, the top 70 players advance to the playoffs. Each event serves as a cut-down stage:
- 70 players competed at the FedEx St. Jude Championship,
- The top 50 move on to the BMW Championship,
- The final 30 qualify for the Tour Championship.
For fans tracking the action and those checking the latest PGA odds each round, the outcome at each of these championships can dramatically alter a player’s fortunes. The ultimate champion earns not only the trophy but also a life-changing payout, positioning this as one of sports’ most lucrative postseason formats.
Stage One: FedEx St. Jude Championship
This year’s playoffs took place from August 7 to 10 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. The par-70 course, recently renovated with 18 new greens and resurfaced tee boxes, demanded precision ball-striking. Scottie Scheffler entered as the world No. 1 and defending FedExCup champion, while Rory McIlroy, second in the standings, chose to skip this event.
In a surprising turn, veteran Justin Rose, 45, birdied four of his final five holes to force a playoff, then defeated J.J. Spaun on the third extra hole to claim his 12th PGA Tour title and $3.6 million from the $20 million purse.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler tied for third alongside Tommy Fleetwood, while Min Woo Lee’s rapid closing round left him outside the top 50, ending his playoff run. Akshay Bhatia delivered a standout week, finishing tied for sixth at 10-under. He jumped from 45th to 29th in the FedExCup standings and comfortably booked his spot in the BMW Championship.
Stage Two: BMW Championship
From August 14 to 17, the BMW Championship, hosted at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, features the top 50 players.
Known for its dramatic 2021 edition, where Patrick Cantlay outdueled Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff, Caves Valley rewards aggressive scoring. Seven players reached 20-under or better in that tournament, and conditions could again yield low scores.
Reaching this stage guarantees players entry into all eight signature PGA Tour events in 2026, adding a long-term incentive. With only 30 advancing to Atlanta, even established stars must perform in the coming days.
The BMW’s $20 million purse matches the first playoff event, and its position as the semifinal round makes it a pivotal battleground for both the FedExCup and Ryder Cup team selection.
Stage Three: Tour Championship
The Tour Championship, taking place from August 21 to 24 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, will crown the FedExCup winner. This year, the PGA Tour abandons its starting-strokes format, meaning all 30 finalists will start at even par. The shift levels the playing field, allowing any contender to claim the $10 million top prize.
Last year, Scheffler won with a 30-under total when starting at -10, but the new format ensures a pure 72-hole test. Beyond the winner’s purse, payouts remain substantial: $5 million for second, $3.7 million for third, and $355,000 even for last place. The combination of tradition, prestige, and financial reward makes East Lake a fitting stage for the season’s conclusion.
Ryder Cup Stakes in the Playoffs
The FedExCup postseason doubles as a proving ground for Ryder Cup hopefuls. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, 10th in the standings, will closely watch performances before making six captain’s picks after the Tour Championship.
Scottie Scheffler has already qualified for Team USA, with Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau, and Harris English in strong positions. Justin Thomas sits seventh in Ryder Cup points and aims to lock in automatic qualification.
On the European side, Rory McIlroy leads a group that includes Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Shane Lowry. For those on the bubble, such as Cameron Young and Sam Burns, strong playoff finishes could secure spots on golf’s most prestigious team competition.
Players to Watch and Storylines
Scheffler’s bid for back-to-back FedExCup titles headlines the playoffs, a feat no player has achieved. McIlroy, despite skipping Memphis, seeks a record-tying fourth championship.
Veterans like Schauffele, Rose and Finau aim to maintain their streaks of Tour Championship appearances, while younger rising talents such as Akshay Bhatia have positioned themselves to potentially break through on the sport’s biggest stage.
Course changes at TPC Southwind, including firmer greens and penal rough, could influence early results. Add in the summer heat of Memphis and pressure-packed leaderboards, and the playoffs promise a blend of skill, strategy, and endurance unlike any other stretch on the PGA Tour.
A Thrilling Three-Week Stretch
The FedExCup Playoffs condense a season’s worth of competition into a high-intensity, three-event finale. For fans, it offers consecutive weeks of elite golf, unfolding narratives, and dramatic leaderboard swings. For players, the stakes combine financial security, career-defining titles, and national team selection.
The new Tour Championship format adds unpredictability, while course-specific challenges ensure no two weeks play alike. Whether a dominant champion emerges or the trophy changes hands late in Atlanta, the postseason delivers clarity: only those who adapt under pressure will lift the FedExCup.
Content reflects information available as of 08/14/25; subject to change.
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