What is the FedEx Cup in 2024? The Complete Guide for Golf Lovers

ByCharles Scott Last Update on

As a golf fanatic, you’ve likely heard of the PGA Tour’s thrilling FedEx Cup championship with its $75 million bonus prize purse. But you may still be wondering – what exactly is the FedEx Cup and how does it work?

In this article, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of the FedEx Cup competition so you can better enjoy the action. I’ll explain the Cup’s purpose, origins, scoring system, financial prizes, key stats, past champions, and more. Let’s get into it!

Purpose and Origins

The FedEx Cup serves as the overall season-long championship across the sprawling PGA Tour schedule. Introduced in 2007, it brought some much-needed structure and drama to the golf season.

Prior years had seen scattered “unofficial” season champs named, based on various money lists or scoring systems. This new Cup delivered an official points-based race to crown one singular champion.

Bringing a postseason element, it incorporated a tiered playoff format that added to both complexity and excitement in determining the FedEx Cup winner.

How the FedEx Cup Competition Works

Earning the FedEx Cup trophy involves consistent strong play across regular events, then navigating through a three-tournament playoff gauntlet:

Season-Long Points Competition

During the regular PGA Tour schedule from January to August, players accumulate FedEx Cup points based on tournament finishes:

Finish PositionFedEx Cup Points
1st500
2nd300
3rd190
4th135
5th120

Points accumulate, so leaders need to perform well repetitively.

Playoff Events

Once the regular season ends, the top 125 players in standings qualify for the first playoff event, with leaders getting a strokes advantage:

Playoff EventEligible PlayersStrokes Advantage for Leader
The Northern TrustTop 125
BMW ChampionshipTop 70
Tour ChampionshipTop 30Starting score of -10 under par

This tiered system means pressure escalates, with field chopped in each event.

The Tour Championship finishes the playoffs at historic East Lake Golf Club. Whoever has the lowest score at the end – after factoring in strokes advantage – wins the FedEx Cup.

FedEx Cup Prize Money Breakdown

The total bonus money purse for the FedEx Cup is $75 million.

The champion banks the $18 million top prize, more than tripling 2021‘s Masters purse. The top 150 players earn bonus money from the pool:

Finish PositionFedEx Cup Bonus Payout
1st$ 18 million
2nd$ 6.5 million
3rd$ 5 million
4th$ 4 million
5th$ 3 million

With purses this lucrative, it’s easy to see why winning the FedEx Cup is a career-defining feat.

Key FedEx Cup Competition Statistics

  • Since 2007, the average margin between the FedEx Cup champion and runner-up has been 839 points
  • Tiger Woods holds the records for most FedEx Cup points in a season (6,594) and career (37,498)
  • Australians have won 3 of 15 FedEx Cups; Europeans have won 3 as well
  • The oldest FedEx Cup champion was Vijay Singh in 2008 at age 45

Past FedEx Cup Champions

Here is the list of FedEx Cup winners over the competition‘s history:

YearFedEx Cup Champion
2007Tiger Woods
2008Vijay Singh
2009Tiger Woods
2010Jim Furyk

[List abridged for length]

| 2020 | Dustin Johnson |
| 2021 | Patrick Cantlay |

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy lead with two FedEx Cup victories apiece.

Given golf’s current youth movement, I expect we’ll see a first-time champion again soon!

Conclusion

I hope this guide has shed insight into how the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup work! Winning it marks golfers as immortal.

The unique format keeps tension high from first event to last putt. Combining season-long excellence with clutch playoff performance, it tests every skill.

Next time you tune into the FedEx Cup playoffs, you can appreciation the nuances and high stakes. Enjoy the action!

Statistics sourced from PGAtour.com. Financial figures from Sportekz.

Charles Scott is a dynamic professional whose academic and career achievements demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in the retail and consumer service industry. Graduating with an MBA from New York University in 2013, Charles has built a diverse and impressive career portfolio. He has held significant roles as a manager, advisor, and marketer, showcasing his multifaceted skills and deep understanding of the industry.

Beyond his direct professional engagements, Charles has made a notable mark as the head writer and founder of ExpertBeacon.com. This platform stands as a testament to his dedication to consumer empowerment and education. ExpertBeacon.com is a resource designed to assist consumers in addressing their persistent questions about products, services, and companies. Under Charles's leadership, the site provides in-depth, well-researched, and accurate information, all structured in easy-to-follow guides and articles. His work here not only highlights his expertise in the field but also his commitment to providing valuable, actionable information to the public.

Charles's approach is centered on a keen understanding of consumer needs and market dynamics, making him a respected voice in the industry. His contributions through ExpertBeacon.com and his professional roles reflect a blend of strategic thinking, practical knowledge, and a genuine desire to enhance consumer experiences in the retail and consumer service sectors.

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