How the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs work and why Rory McIlroy is skipping Week One

Khaleej Times

a day ago

The recent Wyndham Championship marked the end of the 2025 PGA Tour regular season, with the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup Rankings now advancing to the playoffs.
All but one of those 70 players have, so far, committed to this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of three playoff events. Notably, Rory McIlroy, currently ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings, is not in the field.
Following the FedEx St. Jude Championship, only the top 50 players will move on to the BMW Championship, and then the top 30 will qualify for the Tour Championship at East Lake.
This year, the $100 million FedEx Cup prize pool includes player position bonuses awarded after each of the first two playoff events. Additionally, both tournaments offer quadruple points compared to regular-season events, and feature no cuts.
Financially Driven Event
The FedEx Cup Playoffs are very much financially driven, rewarding top performers with lucrative incentives, including the Comcast Business Top 10 bonuses; a model seen across many sports leagues.
However, one notable change to the Tour Championship format could have influenced Rory's decision to skip week one, and it will be interesting to observe the impact.
Over the years, the Tour Championship has seen numerous format tweaks, all aimed at delivering a dramatic season finale. Most recently, it used a staggered-start, handicap-style system: the FedEx Cup leader would begin at 10-under-par; second place at 8-under; and so on, down to the fifth place at 5-under.
Standalone Tournament
This year, however, every player will start at level par, treating the Tour Championship as a standalone tournament.
Rory McIlroy, now 36 years old, has chosen to skip three of the eight Signature Events this season: The Sentry, RBC Heritage, and The Memorial Tournament. He's well known for being deliberate with his schedule, and has publicly stated he plans to play less in future, focusing on events that suit his game, schedule, and personal preferences.
McIlroy is committed to performing at his best year-round, across the world, and carefully selects tournaments where he traditionally plays well; a decision he's fully entitled to make.
Media Value to UAE
We're fortunate to regularly see Rory competing in the UAE, and his presence continues to bring enormous media value and global attention to events here; often referred to as the "Rory Factor."
From a promoter's perspective, attracting top players like Rory is one of the toughest jobs; vital not only for fans and sponsors but also for the long-term growth of tournaments.