Questions and answers about '09 FedExCup changes
By PGA TOUR staff
The PGA TOUR has announced its latest changes concerning the points structure of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Here are answers to a few of the most pertinent questions:
Q: Has the value of the Regular Season been diminished, given that Playoff events are now worth five times a Regular Season event?
A: To the contrary, the Regular Season is vital to determining who will be in THE TOUR Championship. Because there is no reset until THE TOUR Championship, Regular Season points carry through, and we expect that as many as 20 or 25 of the top 30 seeds going into the Playoffs will make it through to THE TOUR Championship, joined by five to 10 players who have had great Playoffs performances.
Q: With Playoff events now worth five times a Regular Season event, a player with no top 10s all year could pass a player with three or four victories -- even majors victories. Is this fair?
A: Performance in the Playoffs will be critical to getting a good seed going into THE TOUR Championship. Top Regular Season performers such as majors winners or players winning multiple events will be rewarded in this structure by increasing the likelihood those players will reach THE TOUR Championship. But to maintain a high seed, even those players will need to perform well in the Playoffs.
Q: Has the value of the first three Playoff events been diminished, given that the Regular Season points will carry through up until THE TOUR Championship?
A: No. In fact, with quintuple points awarded in Playoff events, the Playoffs will be a critical factor in determining who is in best contention to win the FedExCup. Any player who wins a Playoff event will be in great position going into THE TOUR Championship, and other top finishers in the first three events will definitely make THE TOUR Championship field and have a chance to win the FedExCup in Atlanta.
Q: What is the incentive for top players to compete in early Playoff events, given that they are virtually assured of getting into THE TOUR Championship anyway?
A: Being a top seed going into THE TOUR Championship is obviously of tremendous value toward being in position to win the FedExCup. Because points are quintupled in each Playoff event, no Regular Season lead is truly safe -- the top points-getters in the Regular Season could certainly be passed by several players prior to THE TOUR Championship if they choose to skip an event.
More importantly, top players generally decide whether to play an event based largely on the significance of the event, the quality of the field, where it falls on their schedule and how well the course suits their game. The PGA TOUR has four important events with stellar fields on top quality golf courses, and we are working toward scheduling them with some breathing room relative to other big events. Given that, we don't anticipate losing very many -- or possibly any -- top golfers as long as those factors remain in place.
Q: Doesn't this structure mean someone could win multiple Regular Season and Playoff events, finish second or third in THE TOUR Championship, but still not win the FedExCup?
A: Yes. Clearly, there is increased emphasis on THE TOUR Championship as the deciding factor in the FedExCup. We believe that's appropriate, in the same way that the culminating event of playoffs in other sports decide the champion regardless of the dominance of one player or team in the Regular Season or previous playoff events.
That is balanced by the fact that only the top 30 performers through the Regular Season and Playoffs get into THE TOUR Championship field, and the top seeds going in have the best chance, so the winner of the FedExCup will be someone who put himself in position to win by virtue of great play in the Regular Season and Playoffs.
Q: What will these changes do to the volatility we saw in the Playoffs in 2008?
A: Players will not drop as precipitously as last year, particularly those highest in the points standings. However, because points are quintupled in the Playoffs, there will be volatility, particularly at the "elimination" lines in the first two events -- 100th and 70th. Moreover, top finishers in Playoff events will move up dramatically, putting themselves in good position to compete to win the FedExCup.
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