In a significant shift for professional golf, the PGA Tour has officially announced the elimination of the controversial “Starting Strokes” format at the Tour Championship. The PGA Tour will eliminate Starting Strokes from the season-ending Tour Championship as the Tour’s top players compete for a chance to win the ultimate prize, the FedExCup.
Players and stakeholders have welcomed the decision, which marks a return to a more traditional tournament structure where all 30 qualifying golfers will start at even par.
Controversial Starting Stroke Finally Removed
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan revealed in a statement that the decision to remove the Starting Strokes was driven by its broader “Fan Forward” initiative, which collects feedback from viewers, players, and stakeholders. Feedback indicated a strong preference for a more equitable and competitive tournament structure. As part of the changes, the PGA Tour also plans to implement a more demanding course setup at East Lake Golf Club, aiming to elevate the stakes and create more high-risk, high-reward moments.
“The Player Advisory Council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: the most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format,” Monahan said in a statement.
“Beginning this year, Starting Strokes will be eliminated from the TOUR Championship. @TOURChamp will be played as a 72-hole stroke-play event, with all players starting the tournament at even par. The best performer over the course of those four rounds will win the #FedExCup,” the PGA Tour said in a statement released on X.
The Starting Strokes format, introduced in 2019, awarded players a head start based on their position in the FedExCup standings. The leader entered the tournament at 10 under par, with descending advantages for those lower in the rankings. The system aimed to simplify the FedExCup Playoffs, ensuring a single winner of both the Tour Championship and the season-long title. However, the format has drawn plenty of criticism for being confusing and undermining the competitive integrity of the event.
Players React to Elimination of Starting Strokes
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who serves on the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council, has been one of the most vocal critics of the old system. Scheffler who had in the past described the starting strokes model as “silly” has applauded the new change.
“We want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy the most difficult to win,” Scheffler said. “Shifting the Tour Championship to a more straight-up format with a tougher course setup makes it easier for fans to follow and provides a more challenging test for players-which brings out the best competition,” he added
NBC Sports President, Rick Cordella has also voiced his support for the new change. “We applaud the PGA TOUR and their Player Advisory Council for listening to fans and are excited to collaborate on one of the premier events in golf.”
Although media outlets have not widely reported individual reactions from other top players such as Rory McIlroy, PGA Tour professionals have expressed overwhelmingly positive sentiment overall.
Main Photo Credit: © John David Mercer-Imagn Images
