Scottie Scheffler gets his wish as PGA Tour make expected announcement

The PGA Tour have unveiled a new format for the season finale at East Lake. 

In news that will be welcomed by runaway World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, the North American circuit have confirmed they are dropping the controversial 'starting strokes' system that has been in place since 2019. 

Scheffler complained the previous format - which gave all 30 players in the field a chance to win the FedEx Cup just by winning the Tour Championship - made little sense. 

The three-time major winner described it as 'silly', adding: "You can't call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament."

Scheffler wasn't the only high-profile player to voice his displeasure and, after several months of discussing how to proceed, the policy board confirmed on Tuesday before the Memorial they will scrap the system entirely. 

The 2025 Tour Championship will be a regular 72-hole tournament featuring the 30 players that advance through the FedEx Cup playoffs.

In a statement released by the PGA Tour's official communications department, Scheffler said: "We want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy the most difficult to win,.

"Shifting the Tour Championship to a more straight-up format with a tougher course setup makes it easier for fans to follow and provides a more challenging test for players—which brings out the best competition."

Commissioner Jay Monahan added the announcement was an 'important step in the evolution of our postseason'. 

"The player advisory council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: the most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format," he said. 

The FedEx Cup playoffs consist of three events in August. 

The top 70 players in the rankings will head to TPC Southwind over 7-10 August for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. 

The top 50 players after the conclusion of the tournament will play in the BMW Championship over 14-17 August before the field is cut further for the Tour Championship over 21-24 August. 

Once again, the Tour Championship will carry a $75m prize purse, with the winner receiving a mind-boggling $25m. 

What was the previous format?

Under the previous system, the FedEx Cup leader would begin the Tour Championship at 10-under par. 

The player in second place would begin the tournament at 8-under, the third player at 7-under, the fourth at 6-under and the fifth at 5-under. 

The rest of the 30-man field would be slotted between 4-under and even par.

The FedEx Cup would be awarded to the winner of the Tour Championship. 

Scheffler complained this would make little sense given he could've been forced out of the finale through an injury despite being the dominant player across the season. 

The American's 2024 season was extraordinary, with the golfer winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship, The Masters, RBC Heritage, Travelers Championship and the Tour Championship. 

He also won an Olympic gold medal in Paris. 

Why was it deemed controversial?

Because so many players and fans thought it was unfair and confusing. 

Critics argued it gave the top players too much of a head start. 

Others argued it compromised the integrity of a traditional 72-hole tournament.