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FedEx Cup: The History of Golf’s Current Playoff System

By Matt Coles

RIDGEWOOD, NJ - AUGUST 23: FedEx Cup signage is displayed on the 15th hole during the first round of The Northern Trust on August 23, 2018 at the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
RIDGEWOOD, NJ - AUGUST 23: FedEx Cup signage is displayed on the 15th hole during the first round of The Northern Trust on August 23, 2018 at the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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ST SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 15: Jim Furyk of the United States lines up a putt on the sixth green during the first round of the RSM Classic at the Sea Island Golf Club Seaside Course on November 15, 2018 in St. Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2010-2012: American Domination

2010 – Jim Furyk

Coming into the 2010 FedEx Cup Playoffs,  any one of several had a chance at winning it all. Ernie Els led the way, but seven men were within just 400 points of the South African.

Justin Rose was the only non-American in the chasing pack, with the usual names of Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson, joined by Jeff Overton and Hunter Mahan.

The South African dropped out of contention, as he failed to make the top ten in the first three playoff events. Meanwhile, Steve Stricker finished inside the top ten in all three, putting himself in a great position once again.

It was Matt Kuchar who won the Barclays to move to the top of the rankings, with Charley Hoffman winning the Deutsche Bank to move up from 59th in the points standings to No.2.

Dustin Johnson then won the BMW Championship to put his name in the hat, but it would be Jim Furyk who eventually won it all, thanks to his victory at the Tour Championship helped him overhaul the competition.

The American managed to do so even after being disqualified at the first playoff event, and then not managing a top ten at either the DB or the BMW.

2011 – Bill Haas

The points standings at the end of the 2011 regular season were not good for any non-Americans, with only Luke Donald (ENG) and K.J. Choi (SKO) in the top ten.

Nick Watney led the way, with Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, David Toms, and Gary Woodland all within 500 points going into the Playoffs.

The shortened Barclays (due to Hurricane Irene) was won by Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson then winning the Deutsche Bank on a playoff to move top of the standings.

Justin Rose took victory at the BMW Championship to move to 3rd in the standings, behind the two previous winners, but it was Bill Haas, thanks to a playoff win at the Tour Championship over Hunter Mahan, who lifted the FedEx Cup.

The American overhauled compatriot Webb Simpson, who could only manage a 22nd place finish at East Lake, to lift the season-ending crown.

2012 – Brandt Snedeker

HAMILTON, ONTARIO – JUNE 07: Brandt Snedeker of the United States reacts on the seventh hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club on June 07, 2019 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ONTARIO – JUNE 07: Brandt Snedeker of the United States reacts on the seventh hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club on June 07, 2019 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

2012 saw the re-emergence of Tiger Woods. He led the points standings going into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with Jason Dufner, Rory McIlroy, and Zach Johnson all in close pursuit.

It would be Nick Watney, the regular-season leader from a year previous, who took the first playoff victory of the autumn, as he won the Barclays by three shots.

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy then won both the Deutsche Bank and the BMW Championship to hold the lead in the standings going into the season finale.

However, it would be Brandt Snedeker that would eventually taste glory, after he won the Tour Championship at East Lake by three shots, with McIlroy only managing to finish just inside the top ten.

‘Sneds’ had finished in 2nd at the Barclays and in 6th at the Deutsche Bank, but a T37 finish at the BMW Championship had seen him fall away slightly. His win at the Tour Championship saw him leap back up the standings to take the FedEx Cup by a comfortable 1,370 point margin in the end.

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