PGA Tour makes decision on Tour Championship format

After months of speculation, the PGA Tour has made a decision on the future of the Tour Championship.

The season-ender at East Lake Golf Club, in Atlanta, is the final tournament in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Since 2019, it’s ensured that the winner is crowned the FedEx Cup champion, while a staggered start has given a huge advantage to the top finishing players.

Despite winning it – and comfortably – last year, world No.1 Scottie Scheffler blasted the controversial format.

“I think it’s silly,” he said. “You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament.

“Hypothetically, we get to East Lake and my neck flares up and it doesn’t heal the way it did at The Players, I finish 30th in the FedEx Cup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament?

“Is that really the season-long race? No. It is what it is.”

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But now, Scheffler’s prayers have been answered, as the PGA Tour has scrapped the starting strokes with immediate effect.

From August, all 30 players will start at even par.

“Our Fan Forward Initiative has helped us evaluate each part of the PGA Tour season and today’s announcement is an important first step in the evolution of our postseason,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement.

“The Player Advisory Council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: The most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format.”

Meanwhile, Scheffler added: “We want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy the most difficult to win.

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“Shifting the Tour Championship to a more straight-up format with a tougher course setup makes it easier for fans to follow and provides a more challenging test for players-which brings out the best competition.”

Despite no changes to field size this year, the PGA Tour insisted the Player Advisory Council is “studying the qualification system” for future years. That’s with the aim of ensuring it is the hardest tournament to qualify for.

The circuit’s rules committee is also trying to find ways to “encourage more risk/reward moments” for players at the Tour Championship.

The 2025 edition will take place from August 21-24.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.