Scottie Scheffler joins followers disagreeing with Tour Championship format

ATLANTA — World primary Scottie Scheffler doesn’t admire the setup of the Tour Championship.

“It’s a little bit of an odd format,” Scheffler mentioned. “I really feel like I’ve joked a good quantity about being primary, you don’t get any further strokes, after which I present up this week, I do get some further strokes. So it’s a bit unusual, however it must be a enjoyable week.”

Since he was primary in FedEx Cup factors after the BMW Championship, he’ll begin the match at 10-under par.

However even Scheffler is just not a believer on this format figuring out a champion.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s the finest format to determine the very best golfer for the yr,” he mentioned after his observe spherical Wednesday.

“I get it. It’s made for TV … With that being mentioned … so far as figuring out the very best participant all year long, I don’t suppose it’s the very best format.”

Scheffler held the benefit final yr as properly.

But, the two-shot lead he needed to begin the match didn’t assist in the long run. Rory McIlroy chased him down within the remaining spherical of the 2022 Tour Championship to win his third FedEx Cup title.

Apparently, for the reason that debut of this format in 2019, solely two gamers who began at 10-under with the two-shot benefit went on to win: Dustin Johnson in 2020 and Patrick Cantlay in 2021.

In 2019, Justin Thomas entered the week ranked first, however McIlroy raced by him to win his second FedEx Cup title.

Previous to 2019, the winner of the Tour Championship might have been totally different than the FedEx Cup champion. This occasion occurred in 2018, as Tiger Woods gained the match, however Justin Rose was topped FedEx Cup champion. The statistics concerned in calculating the FedEx Cup champion difficult issues, therefore the change to the brand new format.

However the newly adopted beginning strokes format doesn’t essentially crown the very best golfer of the yr.

Scheffler gained the Jack Nicklaus PGA Tour Participant of the Yr award in 2022 and really properly might once more this yr, however that doesn’t imply he’ll win the FedEx Cup.

Picture by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR through Getty Photos

Certain, the format rewards strokes to gamers who’ve executed properly all season, however it additionally appears to punish them if they don’t win.

Rahm—who might additionally win the Nicklaus Award this yr—doesn’t like this format too.

“I don’t suppose it’s the very best,” Rahm mentioned Tuesday earlier than the Tour Championship. “I believe we are able to provide you with one thing higher.”

Scheffler would get on board with that plan too. Whether or not the Tour adopts adjustments in 2024 for the Tour Championship stays to be seen.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You possibly can observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.