Scottie Scheffler criticizes the FedEx Cup’s season-ending format: “I think it’s silly”

Scottie Scheffleropenly expressed his discontent with the current format of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He aired his critics during a recent interview ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship and labeled the format “silly” and suggesting that it does not adequately reflect a season-long race.

Scheffler’s remarks come at a time when discussions about the fairness and structure of the FedEx Cup have intensified among both players and fans.

Scottie Scheffler’s dissatisfaction with the FedEx Cup format stems from his recent experiences. In both 2022 and 2023, Scheffler arrived at the Tour Championship as the top-ranked player, only to lose the coveted FedEx Cup title.

The tournament employs a ‘Starting Strokes Format,’ which provides players with a strokes advantage based on their performance throughout the season. However, even with a two-shot lead at the start of the tournament, Scheffler was unable to secure the championship.

Scottie Scheffler Criticizes the FedEx Cup Format

“I think it’s silly,” Scheffler stated during the interview. “You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament.” His frustration lies in the fact that despite his consistent excellence throughout the season, the FedEx Cup Playoffs format reduces the significance of his achievements to just a few rounds at East Lake.

Scottie Scheffler highlighted the inherent flaw in the system by pointing out the hypothetical scenario of an injury:

“Hypothetically, we get to East Lake, and my neck flares up, and it doesn’t heal the way it did at The Players. I finished 30th in the FedExCup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament. Is that really the season-long race? No,” he explained.

To better grasp Scottie Scheffler’s concerns, it’s essential to understand how the FedEx Cup Playoffs differ from regular PGA Tour events. The FedEx Cup playoffs consist of three events: the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship. Players earn points throughout the season, and their standings determine their starting position at the Tour Championship.

At the Tour Championship, the leader begins with a score of 10-under par, while others start with progressively fewer strokes. This ‘Starting Strokes Format’ was designed to reward season-long performance, but as Scheffler’s experience shows, it may not always achieve that goal.

Scottie Scheffler’s criticism brings attention to a fundamental question: does the FedEx Cup Playoffs format truly identify the best player of the year? Or does it place too much emphasis on a single tournament, diminishing the importance of consistent performance over the season?

Scheffler’s comments have sparked a heated debate within the golfing community. While many players and fans share his concerns, others defend the format, arguing that it adds excitement to the season’s conclusion.

Rory McIlroy, for example, acknowledged the format’s flaws but emphasized its entertainment value:

“I love this format because if it wasn’t this format, then none of us would have a chance against Scottie because he’s so far ahead,” McIlroy said.

However, some critics of Scottie Scheffler’s stance suggest that his frustration stems from his inability to win the FedEx Cup despite his strong performances throughout the season.

“I’d say the same thing if I’ve never won it,” one fan remarked, echoing the sentiment that Scheffler’s comments might be driven by his personal disappointments.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs format inevitably draws comparisons to the LIV Golf format, which many see as a more balanced system. LIV Golf, with its cumulative points system and fewer events, is seen by some as a fairer way to determine the best player over a season.

Scottie Scheffler’s declarations about the FedEx Cup format have brought attention to the ongoing debate about how to best determine the season’s top golfer. While the current format offers excitement and drama, it may not always reflect the efforts of players who have excelled throughout the year.

Scheffler’s candid remarks may prompt the PGA Tour to reevaluate the structure of the playoffs, seeking a balance between entertainment and fairness. For now, the golf world will watch closely as the FedEx Cup Playoffs unfold, wondering if the format will once again overshadow a season of brilliance.