It’s getting to FedEx Cup season on the PGA Tour and while the excitement is there for everyone to see, the PGA Tour has been warned it’s actually causing them an issue.
The top 70 in the FedEx Cup get their chance to go through to the finale at the TOUR Championship in a few weeks’ time.
With Cameron Young winning the Wyndham Championship, the field is now finalised and it’s going to be a shootout over the next two weeks at the FedEx St Jude and the BMW to see who makes the final 30.
However, while the FedEx Cup offers players the chance to increase their bank balances and keep their careers going along nicely, the PGA Tour have been warned it’s actually having an adverse effect.
Indeed, former PGA Tour player John Peterson has suggested there could be some dramatic repercussions.
Why the FedEx Cup is a problem for the PGA Tour
While the idea of competing for a place in the top 70 seems fine on one hand, on the other, it’s also a big hindrance for players.
Yes, it doesn’t mean they lose their TOUR cards as the top 100 at the end of the season keep hold of theirs but according to former pro John Peterson, the system seems flawed.
Taking to social media to post his thoughts, Peterson has suggested that we could see players start to retire if they miss out.
Of course, Peterson’s initial comment wasn’t quite factually correct given the 100 PGA Tour cards on offer, but he offered further thoughts on what his past experience was like.
“Yeah those opposite field events that basically past champions and rookies only play won’t last much longer. The year also only counts as a “season” towards retirement if you play 15 events as a member in a season. Not many guys finishing outside 125 are getting 15 anymore. 10 years ago you could finish 149 and easily still get 15….extending careers,” Peterson added.
Does the PGA Tour need to rethink the FedEx Cup?
The FedEx Cup has been a bone of contention for years now.
The format doesn’t suit everyone and with players going into the TOUR Championship with shots in hand, it does seem a touch unfair on the rest.
Indeed, Scottie Scheffler called the format silly last year and if the world number one is having a problem with things, then something has to change.
Quite what it can be changed to remains open to debate. But right now, the PGA Tour know they have an issue and Peterson’s comments here give a fresh angle for discussion.
In a few weeks, we can expect the conversations around the FedEx Cup format to once again come to light.
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