Details Given on Points Structure, first PGA TOUR Playoffs, Record Bonus;BellSouth Classic Plays Important Role in New FedExCup Season
NEW YORK CITY – PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today revealed the points structure for the new FedExCup competition and PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, which debut in 2007 and will determine the TOUR’s season-long champion.
"The FedExCup and playoff system on the PGA TOUR truly usher in an exciting new era in golf, and establish a new measurement of success on the PGA TOUR," Finchem said. "We worked through countless points scenarios, spending considerable time with players and gathering input from many different constituents. We are enthusiastic about where we have come out, believing this competition will be fair, meaningful and provide excitement throughout the year. Moreover, the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup will bring the same pressure and compelling drama to the PGA TOUR that other sports have had for many years."
The BellSouth Classic, to be held May 14-20, 2007 will be part of the new FedExCup season. Every player in the field who makes the cut will earn valuable points in the season-long competition that will ultimately determine a player’s seeding going into the Playoffs.
"We are excited to be a part of the FedExCup and the positive impact it will have on the BellSouth Classic and the PGA TOUR as a whole," said tournament director, Dave Kaplan. "We like how the competition will connect every tournament and generate more interest in our event and the overall season. It will be interesting to track our winner and other top finishers in the FedExCup."
The annual FedExCup champion will be determined by points accumulated through the Regular Season of 33 weeks and, following a points reset based on final Regular Season standings, performance in the four tournaments that will comprise the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. The Playoff events, in sequence, will be the Barclays Classic in New York, Deutsche Bank Championship near Boston, BMW Championship in Chicago and THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola in Atlanta.
In addition to the title of FedExCup champion, the winner will receive $10 million, the largest single bonus awarded in professional sports.
"It’s an exciting time for golf," Tiger Woods said. "It’s certainly going to be more exciting for everyone, not just us as competitors who will be bucking heads against the best more often, but also for the fans."
"I think for the spectator watching on television or even coming to golf events, there is going to be a new buzz," Ernie Els said.
The FedExCup will offer $35 million in total bonus money, one of the highest totals in sports. Following the winner’s share of $10 million, second through fifth place will receive $3 million, $2 million, $1.5 million and $1 million, respectively.
"The FedExCup is setting a new standard for excellence for the PGA TOUR and ushers in a new era for professional golf," said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development and Corporate Communications at FedEx. "With our shared attributes of reliability, excellence and leadership, the FedExCup is the perfect addition to the FedEx sports marketing portfolio."
The Regular Season will begin with the Mercedes Championships in Hawaii (week of Jan. 1-7 in 2007) and continue through the Carolina Classic (Aug. 13-19, 2007). Most PGA TOUR events will offer 25,000 FedExCup points. The Masters Tournament, THE PLAYERS, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship will offer 27,500 points. The three
World Golf Championships events will award 26,250, while the four Additional events, i.e., events played the same week as the World Golf Championship events and the British Open, will award half at 12,500 points.
The points allocation in each tournament will put a premium on victories and high finishes. The top 70 players plus ties receive points. The Top-10 finishers in each category will receive the following FedEx Cup points:
Position PGA TOUR Events Masters, PLAYERS, US Open, British Open & PGA Champ. WGC
Events Additional Events
Total Points 25,000 27,500 26,250 12,500
1 4,500.0 4,950.0 4,725.0 2,250.0
2 2,700.0 2,970.0 2,835.0 1,350.0
3 1,700.0 1,870.0 1,785.0 850.0
4 1,200.0 1,320.0 1,260.0 600.0
5 1,000.0 1,100.0 1,050.0 500.0
6 900.0 990.0 945.0 450.0
7 837.5 921.3 879.4 418.8
8 775.0 852.5 813.8 387.5
9 725.0 797.5 761.3 362.5
10 675.0 742.5 708.8 337.5
A reset follows the Regular Season, with the top 144 players plus ties becoming eligible for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. A certain number of players will be mathematically eliminated each week.
"Four big events at the end of the year, everybody has to play and there’s a good reward at the end of it, as well," said Vijay Singh.
Each eligible player will be assigned a point total based on his regular-season finish. The leader will receive 100,000 points and second place 99,000. Then there are 500-point drops through No. 5, 250-point drops from 6-10, 150-point drops from 11-30 and 75-point drops thereafter.
The 144-plus qualifiers will compete in the first three playoff tournaments to determine the final 30 for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. Each Playoff tournament will offer 50,000 points.
Due to its limited field, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola will award more points per place. A comparison of the top-10 finishers:
PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup Points Distribution
Position First 3 Playoff Events THE TOUR Championship
Total Points 50,000 50,000
1 9,000 10,300
2 5,400 6,200
3 3,400 3,900
4 2,400 2,800
5 2,000 2,300
6 1,800 2,060
7 1,675 1,920
8 1,550 1,780
9 1,450 1,660
10 1,350 1,550
The player with the most points after the four Playoff events wins the FedExCup and will be crowned the season champion.
"As we worked through the scenarios, using comparisons to past seasons, this model provided the best possible combination of credibility, excitement and suspense," Finchem said. "There is a significant advantage to doing well during the regular season and having a higher seeding. But like other sports, it doesn’t end there; the FedExCup ultimately has to be won through strong play during the Playoffs."
In the end, top players believe the FedExCup will generate excitement for fans and benefit the tournaments and TOUR in general.
"It has the top players playing against each other, which is much more exciting product for the fans," Phil Mickelson said. "That’s what they want to see."
"I’m excited about it," said Stuart Appleby. "I think it’s a great format. The kickback can literally last a whole season from Week One at the Mercedes to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola."
"The fans are really going to enjoy it whether they are there in person or watching on TV," Woods added. "And all the sponsors are certainly going to enjoy the event more with a deeper and better field week to week. It’s a no brainer; we’re doing the right thing."
For more on the FedExCup, go to PGATOUR.com/FedExCup.
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2006, the three Tours will compete in nearly 120 events for approximately $325 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in eight countries outside the U.S. and in 38 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours reached the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions in late 2005. The PGA TOUR’s web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Contact:
Bob Combs, PGA TOUR
904/273-3500
bobcombs@pgatourhq.com
