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PGA Tour Ends Starting-Strokes System, Restores Traditional 72-Hole Tour Championship

The PGA Tour cited feedback from players alongside fan surveys in reverting to a stroke-play finale where all 30 entrants start at level par.

Overview

  • Beginning Aug. 21–24 at East Lake Golf Club, all competitors will tee off at even par and compete over four rounds with the FedExCup awarded to the tournament winner.
  • The PGA Tour Rules Committee will tighten hole locations and adjust fairway widths to foster more risk-and-reward opportunities across each round.
  • FedExCup bonus payouts will be redistributed more evenly to reflect equal winning chances for all 30 players.
  • The Tour Championship field remains at 30 for 2025 while the Player Advisory Council reviews future FedExCup qualification criteria.
  • Top players including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy had criticized the previous staggered-start format as confusing and uncompetitive.