Golf Special Report: FedEx point system is pointless
Criticism hits the point system of making the cut to the FedEx playoffs. It should be based on par not the points.
The PGA tour has jerked off the criticism regarding the point system of the FedEx playoffs. The criticism was meant for reducing the number of points of the four playoff events, which are worth 2,500 points each, five times what a normal season tour event is worth. The four major championships are each worth 600 points, which means that if a player wins the grand slam, he gets 2,400 points, which are statically 100 points lesser than what Matt Kuchar got for winning.
Ironically, this point system is baseless. As a player like Charley Hoffman, who has not made a cut in any of the four majors in a season is standing at the No. 3 in points; hereby heading into the Tour Championship. Moreover, Kevin Streelman is 67th on the money list; even then, he will be seen at the East Lake in Atlanta and Martin laird is 44th but he is in the Ryder cup team.
According to the critics, the PGA Tour manipulates the points system every season, however, there is no use of it as the real problem won’t be addressed. The points don't relate to anything real. They’re just arbitrary numbers, and no degree of manipulation will change that fact. Moreover, they get changed every now then, therefore it is literally not possible to keep a track of it. However, the only probability of making the FedEx Cup standings compelling to the fans and the media is to score in terms of something which could be narrated easily. Therefore, the critics have presented the notion of tracking the cumulative scores during the four playoff tournaments. Thus making it understandable for the general public, that is why a certain player despite being at the end of the money list is making a cut in the follow up event.
Moreover to simplify it, there would be two leader boards; One for that event and the other for the FedEx Cup. Thereby a clear comparison could be done between the players, their rank in the event and it’s relation to the Fed Ex cup standings. This can be the only way for a player to arrive at the 72nd hole in Atlanta and know what he has to do to win the FedEx Cup, and the only way any player will ever stand over a putt knowing it's worth $10 million.
Quite likely, this is how the FedEx Cup standings would look after using the aggregate par system. Five points will be added to score of the winner. For instance, Matt Kuchar will get an aggregate of 17 under, after five points will added to his score of 12 under, at the Barclays. Therefore, his FedEx Cup score will be adjusted to 17 under. The same will follow for Hoffman and Dustin Johnson as they were the winners of the playoffs.
However, few things will stand out in these new standings. For instance, Tiger Woods will make the cut in the Tour Championship with an aggregate three-week score of 18 under. Although, as per the current point system, he finished 42nd and didn't advance to the next level.
This is it for the news that states that the PGA tour has been facing constant criticism from the critics regarding the point system used in the FedEx playoffs. There is no change in the system. Although, the authorities should give the matter a little attention as there has to be logic in this system. That is why criticism is arising.
According to the experts, the Cumulative par may be an obvious alternative, and it doesn't reflect how well a player performed during the regular year, but that is considerable. Once the playoffs start, it doesn't matter how many games the Yankees won in the regular season, either.
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