Scottie Scheffler calls PGA Tour's playoff format 'silly' - ESPN

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler arrived at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, this week with a newly won Olympic gold medal around his neck.

But as the PGA Tour's three-event playoff starts Thursday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Scheffler was asked about the trophy that has eluded him so far in what has otherwise been a stellar career — the FedEx Cup.

Based on his season-long performance, Scheffler started each of the past two Tour Championships at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta at 10 under in starting strokes, at least two shots better than anyone else.

In 2022, Scheffler squandered a six-stroke lead by carding a 3-over 73 in the final round and lost to Rory McIlroy by one. Last year, Scheffler started at 10 under and went just 1 under over 72 holes on his own. He tied for sixth at 11 under, 16 strokes behind winner Viktor Hovland.

It's no wonder Scheffler, a two-time Masters champion, isn't particularly fond of the tour's playoff format.

«I talked about it the last few years, I think it's silly,» Scheffler said Wednesday during a news conference at TPC Southwind. «You can't call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament.

»Hypothetically, we get to East Lake and my neck flares up and it doesn't heal the way it did at The Players. I finish 30th in the FedEx Cup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament? Is that really the season-long race? No, it is what it is."

McIlroy, who has won the FedEx Cup a record three times, likes the format because it gives everyone else a chance to try to catch Scheffler over the next three weeks.

With six victories, including in four of the eight signature events that awarded elevated FedEx Cup points, Scheffler has 5,993 points. He has a nearly