Scottie Scheffler has surprised many this year, as his performance has been nothing short of extraordinary, closely rivaling his remarkable seven-win season from 2024, which earned him the FedEx Cup title. As the PGA Tour’s regular season comes to a close with the Wyndham Championship this week, Scheffler stands tall with four wins in 2025, including two major championships—the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and the Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl.
Heading into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Scheffler maintains a commanding lead in points, ahead of No. 2 Rory McIlroy. However, with changes to the points system announced earlier this year, the stakes are high as players gear up for three pivotal playoff events. The playoff schedule is as follows:
– FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, Memphis (Aug. 7-10)
– BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md. (Aug. 14-17)
– Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta (Aug. 21-24)
In the playoffs, the top 70 players based on the FedEx Cup eligibility points list will compete in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the top 50 from there will advance to the BMW Championship. Finally, the top 30 will qualify for the Tour Championship, where the winner will receive a $10 million bonus along with a five-year exemption on the tour.
The payout structure has also been modified. Instead of relying solely on the Tour Championship results, players now earn portions from the overall $100 million FedEx Cup prize fund based on their standings after certain events. Specifically, the top 10 after the Wyndham Championship will share $20 million, while the leading players after the BMW will split almost $23 million, resulting in significant potential earnings for those who perform well throughout the playoffs.
For instance, if a player enters the Tour Championship leading in points from the previous events—and goes on to win—they could clinch a total payout of $25 million, plus additional bonuses. Players who finish between 31st and 150th in the points standings will also benefit, as they will receive $17 million in deferred compensation for their retirement funds.
As the playoffs begin, Scottie Scheffler holds a commanding lead with 4,806 points, significantly ahead of Rory McIlroy at 3,444 points. Other top contenders include Sepp Straka, Russell Henley, and Justin Thomas, although none from the top five are in action at the Wyndham Championship.
Adding to the intrigue, Scheffler is the defending FedEx Cup champion, having dominated the Tour Championship last year. His continued success shines a light on a season that many are excited to see unfold, especially as he aims to secure his place among the greats, alongside multiple-time champions like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
With excitement in the air and the playoffs on the horizon, there are ample reasons for golf fans to tune in and see how this thrilling season wraps up. The potential for dramatic finishes and the emergence of new champions makes this period particularly captivating in the world of golf.