FedEx Cup: The History of Golf’s Current Playoff System
By Matt Coles
2013-2015: Europe’s First Winner
2013 – Henrik Stenson
2013 saw the first European winner of the FedEx Cup, in its seventh year of the Playoff format. Henrik Stenson was the European to breakthrough, thanks to two playoff wins.
Going into the post-season, Tiger Woods held a commanding lead over the chasing pack, which included defending champion Brandt Snedeker and former champion Bill Haas, along with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, and Jordan Spieth.
Adam Scott took victory at the first event of the Playoffs, the Barclays, to move from 11th to 2nd in the points standings. A week later, and Stenson stamped his authority on proceedings.
The Swede finished the Deutsche Bank Championship at -22, a joint-record for the event, and placing himself atop the points standings.
Zach Johnson made it a four-way battle at East Lake, thanks to his win at the BMW Championship, with himself, Scott, Woods, and Stenson all looking for season-ending glory.
It was the Swede who succeeded though, thanks to a three-shot victory at the Tour Championship. He eventually took the FedEx Cup by more than 2,000 points.
2014 – Billy Horschel
Alas, the European trend did not last long, as Americans reigned supreme for the next two years. That was despite Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia being well placed in the points standings going into the Playoffs.
Hunter Mahan won the first event of the post-season, the Barclays, to move up from 62nd in the standings to lead the way with three to play.
Chris Kirk then overhauled his compatriot to take the top spot after winning the Deutsche Bank by two shots. A T5 finish for McIlroy saw him sit in 2nd in the race for the FedEx.
Despite not finishing inside the top 35 at the BMW Championship, Kirk had the points lead going into the final event of the year. A win for Billy Horschel at the BMW saw him catapult himself from 20th into 2nd place.
Horschel did the double a week later, as he won the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup victory. He won by three shots from McIlroy and Jim Furyk, with past leader Kirk finished in a tie for 4th at East Lake.
2015 – Jordan Spieth
From one American to another in 2015, and this time, to the newest kid on the block. 2015 was Jordan Spieth’s year, as he took the first two major victories of his fledgling career.
He followed up his maiden major win at the Masters, with his second in quick succession at the U.S. Open. Spieth finished his season off with the FedEx Cup trophy.
The two-time major champion led the points standings convincingly going into the Playoffs, with Jason Day, Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker the only men within 2,000 points of Spieth.
The Australian took the victory at the Barclays to lift himself into top spot in the standings, with Watson and Stenson finishing inside the top three to both give themselves a chance come to East Lake.
Rickie Fowler won the Deutsche Bank, with Stenson finish as runner-up for the second straight week, before Jason Day won his second Playoff event of the year at the BMW Championship.
The six-shot win at the BMW gave the Australian the points lead going into the season finale, but Spieth took a commanding victory at East Lake, winning by four shots to take home the trophy, and the FedEx Cup crown as well.