FedExCup Playoffs Format
There has been a lot of discussion lately about Tiger Woods possibly missing the FedExCup Playoffs (FEC) for the third time since it started in 2007. Just recently it was announced that he wouldn’t receive a medical exemption to play and therefore must win at least one of the two remaining tournaments to qualify for the “postseason.” So the two-time FEC Champion may not even be playing in the playoffs this year. But what exactly is the FedExCup, how do players qualify, and how do they earn points from week to week?
Quite simply, the FEC Playoffs determine the season-long champion on the PGA Tour. There is also a little bit of money on the line for these players, specifically $67 million over the final four weeks of FEC Playoff competition ($32 million in prize money and $35 million in bonus money).
Over the course of the 39-week PGA Tour Season, players earn points based on their weekly finish, with emphasis placed on winning and high tournament finishes. At the end of week 39, the top 125 players advance to a 4-week playoff series that features a progressive cut. The four playoff events are listed below with the respective number of players that advance to each:
- The Barclays (The Ridgewood Country Club; Paramus, NJ) – 125 players
- Deutsche Bank Championship (TPC Boston; Norton, MA) – 100 players
- BMW Championship (Cherry Hills Country Club; Denver, CO) – 70 players
- Tour Championship by Coca-Cola (East Lake Golf Club; Atlanta, GA) – 30 players
Points are awarded at four different levels throughout the 39 week season:
- Official PGA Tour events played during the 39-week season beginning in early October award 500 FEC points to the winner.
- The Masters Tournament, The Players Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship 600 FEC points to the winner.
- World Golf Championship (WGC) events award 550 FEC points to the winner.
- Additional events (played the same week as other tournaments) award 300 FEC points to the winner.
Points Breakdown For The PGA Tour Season
| POSITION | PGA TOUR EVENT | WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENTS |
MASTERS, THE PLAYERS, U.S. OPEN, BRITISH OPEN & PGA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 500 | 550 | 600 |
| 2 | 300 | 315 | 330 |
| 3 | 190 | 200 | 210 |
| 4 | 135 | 140 | 150 |
View the full Season points breakdown here.
Point Distribution For The FedExCup Playoffs
Once the FEC Playoffs begin, the points received for high tournament finishes increases considerably – the winner receives 2,500 points.
| POSITION | POINTS | POSITION | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2500 | 5 | 550 |
| 2 | 1500 | 6 | 500 |
| 3 | 1000 | 7 | 450 |
| 4 | 750 | 8 | 425 |
View the full Playoff points breakdown here.
FedExCup Bonus Money Distribution
In addition to the weekly purse during the FEC Playoffs, the $35 million bonus money is distributed at the end of the playoffs. The Tour Champion takes home a daunting $10 million and everyone who finishes within the top 30 receives at least $175,000. Below is the FEC Bonus distribution for the top 30 players:
| Position | Amount | Position | Amount | Position | Amount |
| 1 | $10,000,000 | 11 | $300,000 | 21 | $220,000 |
| 2 | $3,000,000 | 12 | $290,000 | 22 | $215,000 |
| 3 | $2,000,000 | 13 | $280,000 | 23 | $210,000 |
| 4 | $1,500,000 | 14 | $270,000 | 24 | $205,000 |
| 5 | $1,100,000 | 15 | $250,000 | 25 | $200,000 |
| 6 | $800,000 | 16 | $245,000 | 26 | $195,000 |
| 7 | $700,000 | 17 | $240,000 | 27 | $190,000 |
| 8 | $600,000 | 18 | $235,000 | 28 | $185,000 |
| 9 | $550,000 | 19 | $230,000 | 29 | $180,000 |
| 10 | $500,000 | 20 | $225,000 | 30 | $175,000 |
It is going to be an exciting finish this season on tour and it’s possible the FedExCup Playoffs could be without its first year winner in Tiger Woods. Stay updated on the points leaders by visiting the PGA Tour and watch as the best players in the world compete for the honor of being Tour Champion!
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