The PGA Tour tournament which some players are saying they would rather qualify for than The Masters now

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For most professional golfers, the ultimate honour is being able to play in the Masters and try and put themselves among the many legends who have won a green jacket.

Augusta National still holds the mystique and the drive up Magnolia Lane remains one of the ultimate bucket list achievements for many.

The Masters is, of course, one of four majors in the calendar year and winning it guarantees a return to the competition for life.

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However, while many want to win the Masters – it is the one Rory McIlroy has not got – golf has also progressed in terms of ranking systems and FedEx Cup points.

Those rankings and points effectively open doors for future seasons which for the more middle of the pack golfer on the PGA Tour, is just as important as winning a major.

And according to the Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the attitude towards the Masters is actually changing among some on tour.

PGA Tour players admit they’d rather be top 50 in the FedEx Cup rather than play The Masters

Speaking on the latest episode of the Golf Channel podcast, Lewis got onto the subject of the signature events, the Masters and the ensuing FedEx Cup that follows.

And according to Lewis, he’s heard players say that they’d actually sacrifice the Masters if it meant being in the FedEx top 50 come the BMW Championship.

“These players that are not in signature events are at a disadvantage, there is no doubt about it. I have heard this said in locker rooms out on tour,” Lewis said.

“There is the PGA Tour and the PG-B Tour. For those players they are going to take advantage of every opportunity they can to play in events, accumulate as many FedEx Cup points as you have.

“Nick Taylor was in the first two signature events, Pebble Beach and the Genesis, because of his performance in the AON Next Ten – 51-60. But now he’s in all of them. That’s such a huge advantage. 700 FedEx Cup points to to winner, more money and more opportunity for you to get to the BMW Championship.

“It’s quite interesting, I asked a couple of players who will remain nameless – would you rather have an opportunity to play the Masters or would you rather finish in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings and go to the BMW Championship. They said I would rather go to the BMW Championship because that guarantees me opportunities for 2026.”

Does winning the Masters award FedEx Cup points?

The short answer here is yes. Winning the Masters does get you some FedEx points and quite a healthy amount.

A victory at Augusta will bring in 600 points for the winner, effectively putting them in automatic contention to to make the top 50.

For example, as of August last year, Justin Thomas was in 30th with just 1617 FedEx points. That was enough to see him into the TOUR Championship, so with the Masters awarding around 35% of the points needed for the BMW, winning the Masters is a big bonus.

Of course, as Lewis mentions, it’s getting into those signature events to ramp up the extra points that is a problem as well and it’s interesting to hear players actively discussing such issues.