The FedEx Cup Playoffs are now in their 18th year, becoming a longstanding tradition in the PGA Tour season. With a generation of tour pros now accustomed to ending their season with this postseason dash, the playoffs are accumulating interesting statistics. In this article, we will delve into some of the most notable numbers that highlight the history of the playoffs and offer insight into what we can expect over the next three weeks.
Rory McIlroy holds the record for the most money earned in tournament prize payouts and FedEx Cup bonuses in his career, surpassing Tiger Woods five years ago when he won his second of three FedEx Cup titles. Meanwhile, 18 tour pros have qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs every year since its inception. Matt Kuchar was the last holdout, making it the first 17 years. However, there were several notable players like Charley Hoffman, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson who missed out in 2022.
Tiger Woods is one of the few players who have been the No. 1 seed entering the FedEx Cup Playoffs and have gone on to win the FedEx Cup title. Woods achieved this feat in 2007 and 2009, while Jordan Spieth accomplished it during the 2015 season. Interestingly, Billy Horschel holds the record for starting the playoffs the farthest back on the FedEx Cup points list and going on to win the title, achieving this feat in 2014.
The FedEx Cup standings have seen dramatic shifts, with Heath Slocum making the biggest jump from 124th to third in 2009. Camilo Villegas has also played his way into the next FedEx Cup tournament the most times among all tour pros in FedEx Cup history. Additionally, Dustin Johnson holds the record for advancing to the Tour Championship the most seasons.
In terms of playoff event wins, Johnson leads the pack with the most victories, followed by McIlroy and Woods. Notable players like Rory Sabbatini, Padraig Harrington, and Dustin Johnson have finished in the top 10 in every playoff event in a single season. Jon Rahm holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive top-15 finishes in FedEx Cup playoff starts.
Since 2007, PGA Tour rookies have made it to the Tour Championship, with Xander Schauffele achieving the best finish by a rookie in 2017. In 2023, four players outside the top 30 in the FedEx Cup points list at the start of the playoffs moved into the top 30 and qualified for the Tour Championship, including Jordan Spieth, Sungjae Im, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Lucas Glover.
