MIAMI: The PGA TOUR has aimed at enhancing fan engagement across the globe for the game of golf by announcing a series of structural changes it has decided to bring into the championship on Tuesday.
Starting from the 2019 season, the PGA TOUR has introduced a much simplified scoring system called ‘FedEx Cup Starting Strokes’, a strokes-based bonus system which is related to the FedExCup standing. Players will start the opening round with scores between 10 under to even par. It has been created in consultation with an MIT expert in simulation modeling and operations research to validate the approach used to develop the new system.
It looks to solve the issue of the TOUR Championship winner not necessarily emerging as the FedEx Cup champion. Since 2009, FedEx Cup points have been reset going into the season-ending championship at East Lake, Atlanta which resulted in two separate leaderboards.
With the new addition, it becomes a level playing field with only one champion to be decided. The player with the lowest total score will be the FedExCup Champion and be credited with an official victory in the TOUR Championship competition.
In PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan’s words: “Win the TOUR Championship and you are the FedExCup champion. It’s that simple.”
“We have no doubt it will create a compelling, dramatic conclusion for the TOUR’s ultimate prize. We think this is a significant step forward for the PGA TOUR.”
“The changes were the end result after extensive research and feedback was received from the PGA TOUR members, media partners and the TOUR’s 5,000-member fan council – an ‘important sounding board’.
“The 16-member Player Advisory Council and four player-directors were then instrumental in helping the TOUR officials shape the end result, with a format that was collectively agreed on.”, Monahan added.
The bonus program will provide additional drama to the regular season finale and also place a greater premium on full-season performance, thus elevating the significance of each tournament on the schedule. Top players such as Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Dustin Thomas have backed the changes.
“It makes it a lot less complicated, that’s for sure.
“It’s very different, but I think it has simplified things, not only for the players but certainly for the fans.”, Woods, the FedExCup’s only two-time champion said.
Monahan also announced that the total FedExCup bonus pool money has been doubled from the current $35 million to $70 million starting next season. The FedExCup winner’s share will have the largest increase, from $10 million to $15 million.
Amongst that $70 million will be a $10 million regular season bonus pool, sponsored by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, tied to the final regular-season FedExCup standings. The new Wyndham Rewards Top 10 $10 million bonus will recognize the top 10 players who earn the most FedExCup points through the Wyndham Championship, the final event of the regular season. The leader will earn $2 million, followed by $1.5 million for the runner-up with the 10th-place finisher earning $500,000.
These players will get a chance to enjoy Wyndham’s exclusive Diamond level rewards, unlocking all the travel perks and unique benefits that go along with it.
“These changes wouldn’t have been possible without the full support of the TOUR Championship’s outstanding proud partners – Coca-Cola and Southern Company – as well as longtime partner FedEx and an enhanced partnership with Wyndham Rewards.
“They shared our vision for how we can challenge ourselves to raise level of excitement and fan engagement throughout the season up until the moment our FedExCup Champion is determined.”, Monahan signed off.
