Rory McIlroy's Choice Highlights Golf's Unique Playoff Format

Owings Mills (US), Aug 13 (AP) — Rory McIlroy's decision to skip the first FedEx Cup playoff event without losing his ranking shouldn't spark outrage or concern; rather it serves as a reminder that golf is uniquely different from other sports.

Unlike team sports with definitive playoff systems, golf has always lacked a defining season finale, and perhaps it always will.

The FedEx Cup has tried to institute a season-ending climax, but the essence of this tour is to incentivize top players to continue competing post-majors. In that regard, it has been a success, McIlroy's absence notwithstanding.

McIlroy's absence garners attention primarily because skipping a postseason event (without being injured) is rare, last happening five years ago when Webb Simpson opted out of the BMW Championship while ranked No. 3, aiming to stay fresh for the finale at East Lake.

In June, McIlroy asserted he’s earned the prerogative to sit out, even from a $20 million tournament, as he did thrice this year, including the first round of the so-called "playoffs," yet he stays locked at No. 2 in rankings.

He's not the only one; in 2007, Tiger Woods skipped the first playoff event but still clinched the FedEx Cup. Likewise, Phil Mickelson missed the BMW Championship in the same year. Even Sergio Garcia opted out of seven playoff events while eligible, taking time off for personal relaxation.

Recently, McIlroy completed nine holes of practice at Caves Valley as other players were en route to the BMW Championship after a taxing week in Memphis. Thanks to the sweltering conditions, McIlroy is likely refreshed.

Last year, his participation at Memphis left him questioning the rationale as he slipped just two places. He remains unfazed by missing this year’s opener.

Similarly, Scottie Scheffler could have sat out too. TPC Southwind was where he last missed a cut in 2022, and it served as a career-launching site with a sponsor exemption when he was 17. Yet, he continues participating, indicating personal choice over policy.

For the FedEx Cup, clarity in language might have rendered better understanding and appreciation of its unique format. Introduced as a “championship series” during the 2006 Tour Championship by then-Commissioner Tim Finchem, it was mistakenly marketed as "playoffs," a term borrowed from other sports and plastered across visually-attractive hills at Westchester Country Club. The misnomer somehow stuck.

The initial bloated format — with 144 participants, exceeding even those securing their tour cards — had legends like Jim Furyk questioning the conceptual alignment with other sports’ playoff systems.

Despite these quirks, the concept is functioning. The PGA Tour's remodeling brings top players into competition for three consecutive weeks, contending for an increasingly prestigious trophy. Although it doesn’t hold the gravitas of the majors or maybe even The Players Championship, the stature is ascending.

After five format revisions, the Tour seeks an elusive perfect system. The recently-devised “starting strokes” drew critiques; the top-ranked starting at 10-under par was unpopular, even among players like Scheffler, yet it rewarded consistent annual performance.

Come this week’s BMW Championship, 30 players advance with equal footing at East Lake, hunting the low score for the final prize, which could crown a maiden-season winner as the “season-long champion.”

In essence, the FedEx Cup trophy diverges from the old Tour Championship trophy primarily through enriched prize money and guaranteed attendance — a win compared to past shows. (AP) UNG

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