FootWedge
FootWedge Personal golf record
Instruction

What is the Fedex Cup?

9 min read - 283 views

Article

Full article

Cover image for What is the Fedex Cup?

9 min read - 283 views - Published 20 Aug 2026 - Updated 29 Aug 2026

What Is the FedExCup?

The FedExCup is the PGA Tour’s season-long points race.

Players earn FedExCup points throughout the regular PGA Tour season, then the best players qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs. The Playoffs decide the season champion across three events: the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship.

For UK golf fans, the easiest way to think about it is this:

The regular season gets players into position. The Playoffs cut the field down. The Tour Championship decides the champion.

The FedExCup is not just another trophy. It decides the PGA Tour season winner, playoff money, status and access to the biggest events.

How Does the FedExCup Work?

Every PGA Tour event awards FedExCup points.

The better a player finishes, the more points they earn. Bigger events award more points, so majors, The Players Championship, Signature Events and Playoff events carry extra weight.

By the end of the regular season, the standings decide who gets into the Playoffs.

The format is simple:

  • Top 70 qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship

  • Top 50 after that qualify for the BMW Championship

  • Top 30 after that qualify for the Tour Championship

That progressive cut is what makes the FedExCup Playoffs different from a normal run of tournaments. Players are not just trying to win the event. They are also trying to survive to the next week.

FedExCup Playoffs Format Explained

The FedExCup Playoffs are three tournaments over three weeks.

FedEx St. Jude Championship

This is the first Playoff event.

The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings qualify. In 2026, it was played at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

This is where the pressure starts. Players outside the top 50 after the week are eliminated from the Playoffs.

That means a player can have a good season, reach the Playoffs, then still have their year end after one poor week.

BMW Championship

The BMW Championship is the second Playoff event.

Only the top 50 players get in. There is no cut, but that does not mean the week is comfortable. The target is to finish inside the top 30 in the FedExCup standings and reach the Tour Championship.

In 2026, the BMW Championship is being played at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

This stage matters for two reasons. First, it decides who gets to East Lake. Second, finishing inside the top 50 can carry major benefits for the following PGA Tour season, including access to key limited-field events.

Tour Championship

The Tour Championship is the final event.

Only the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings qualify. It is played at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

This is where the FedExCup champion is decided.

The important change for 2026 is that all 30 players start the Tour Championship at even par. The old Starting Strokes system has gone. That means the final event is a straight 72-hole stroke-play tournament.

Win the Tour Championship and you win the FedExCup.

What Changed in 2026?

The 2026 FedExCup is different from older versions.

The biggest change is the Tour Championship format. Previously, players started the final event on different scores depending on their FedExCup position. The points leader started at 10-under, second started at 8-under and so on.

That made the leaderboard unusual. A player could begin the tournament already several shots behind before hitting a ball.

In 2026, that system has been removed. All 30 players start at level par, and the winner of the Tour Championship becomes the FedExCup champion.

That is much easier to understand.

The other major change is points. The winners of the FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship now receive 750 FedExCup points, down from the old 2,000-point Playoff winner allocation. That gives the regular season more weight and makes it harder for one hot week to completely rewrite the standings.

Why Do FedExCup Points Matter?

FedExCup points matter because they decide access.

They decide who reaches the Playoffs, who survives each stage and who gets to the Tour Championship.

They also affect status and future opportunities. Finishing inside the top 50 can be especially valuable because it can help secure access to the PGA Tour’s biggest limited-field events the following season.

So when a player is hovering around 48th, 50th or 52nd, it is not just leaderboard trivia. It can affect their schedule, earnings, ranking chances and opportunities for the next year.

That is why the FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship can be brutal. Players are not only chasing a trophy. Some are protecting their whole next season.

Why Is the Top 50 So Important?

The top 50 line is one of the biggest pressure points in the FedExCup.

After the FedEx St. Jude Championship, only the top 50 move on to the BMW Championship.

In 2026, Jordan Spieth finished 52nd in the standings and missed out. Shane Lowry, Max Homa, Harris English, Corey Conners and Brian Harman were also among the notable players who failed to advance.

That shows how tight the Playoffs can be. One round, one bad finish or one missed opportunity can end a season.

For fans, the top 50 bubble is often more interesting than the top of the leaderboard. The winner gets attention, but the players around 45th to 55th are usually fighting for something just as important.

Why Is the Top 30 So Important?

The top 30 is the final cut.

Only those players get to the Tour Championship at East Lake. Everyone else is out.

That makes the BMW Championship one of the most tense weeks of the PGA Tour season. A player can be 28th in the standings and feel under pressure all week. A player starting 37th knows they need a proper result. Someone already high in the standings may still be trying to improve position and win the event.

The top 30 is also a status symbol. It means a player has had one of the best PGA Tour seasons in the field.

In simple terms:

  • Top 70 means you made the Playoffs

  • Top 50 means you survived the first cut

  • Top 30 means you reached the final

Is the FedExCup the Same as a Major?

No.

The FedExCup is not a major championship.

The four majors are The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Those are standalone events with their own history and status.

The FedExCup is different. It is a season-long competition that rewards performance across the PGA Tour season and then through the Playoffs.

A major is usually the bigger historical achievement. The FedExCup is more about season-long consistency, playoff performance and PGA Tour status.

Both matter, but they are not the same thing.

Why Do Players Care About the FedExCup?

Players care because the FedExCup carries money, status and prestige.

It also gives the PGA Tour season a clear finish. Without the FedExCup, the season could feel like a collection of separate events with no real ending.

The FedExCup gives players something to build towards after the majors.

It matters because:

  • It rewards consistent PGA Tour performance

  • It creates a clear season champion

  • It gives players access to major money

  • It affects future event eligibility

  • It keeps late-season golf relevant

  • It gives fans a playoff-style format to follow

For players just outside the top 70, top 50 or top 30, it can be career-shaping. For elite players, it is another major target after the majors are done.

Why Should UK Golf Fans Care?

UK golf fans may not follow the FedExCup as closely as the majors or Ryder Cup, but it still matters.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, Aaron Rai and other European players often have FedExCup storylines. Their playoff results can affect their schedules, confidence and standing going into future PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Ryder Cup seasons.

It is also one of the best ways to understand who is actually playing well late in the year.

A player who reaches the Tour Championship has had a serious PGA Tour season. A player who misses the top 50 may have questions to answer, even if they are a big name.

For UK viewers, the FedExCup is also useful because it gives late-summer golf a clearer shape after The Open.

Who Is in the 2026 FedExCup Playoffs?

The 2026 FedExCup Playoffs started with the top 70 players at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

After the first event, the field was cut to 50 for the BMW Championship. Notable players advancing included Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Ryan Fox, Robert MacIntyre and Aaron Rai.

Notable players eliminated after the first Playoff event included Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Shane Lowry, Harris English, Corey Conners and Brian Harman.

That is why the format works. Big names can still miss out.

What Is the FedExCup Fall?

The FedExCup Fall comes after the Playoffs.

It does not decide the FedExCup champion, but it still matters for players trying to secure status, improve priority, qualify for future events and keep their PGA Tour cards.

For top players, the season effectively peaks at the Tour Championship. For players lower down the standings, the autumn can be just as important because it affects their ability to play the following season.

That is another reason the FedExCup system can be confusing. The champion is crowned at the Tour Championship, but the wider PGA Tour status race continues afterwards.

FedExCup vs Race to Dubai

The FedExCup is the PGA Tour’s season-long race.

The Race to Dubai is the DP World Tour’s season-long race.

They are similar in broad idea but different in structure, schedule and identity. The Race to Dubai builds towards the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The FedExCup builds towards the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

For UK and European golf fans, the Race to Dubai may feel more familiar. But the FedExCup is the main season-long title on the PGA Tour and carries huge weight because of the strength of PGA Tour fields.

Simple FedExCup Glossary

FedExCup points

The points players earn in PGA Tour events across the season.

FedExCup standings

The ranking list that shows where each player sits in the season-long race.

FedExCup Playoffs

The three-event playoff series that decides the champion.

FedEx St. Jude Championship

The first Playoff event, featuring the top 70.

BMW Championship

The second Playoff event, featuring the top 50.

Tour Championship

The final Playoff event, featuring the top 30.

Top 70

The players who qualify for the Playoffs.

Top 50

The players who advance to the BMW Championship and gain important future-event benefits.

Top 30

The players who reach the Tour Championship.

The Easy Way to Follow It

The FedExCup can look complicated, but the basic version is simple.

Watch the cut lines:

  • Who is inside the top 70?

  • Who gets into the top 50?

  • Who reaches the top 30?

  • Who wins the Tour Championship?

That tells you most of what you need to know.

You do not need to track every point calculation. Just understand that every shot in the Playoffs can affect whether a player moves on or goes home.

The Bottom Line

The FedExCup is the PGA Tour’s season-long championship.

Players build points across the season, the top 70 reach the Playoffs, the field is cut to 50, then 30, and the Tour Championship decides the winner.

The 2026 format is easier to follow because the final event starts everyone at even par. No Starting Strokes. No built-in handicap. Just 30 players, 72 holes and one FedExCup champion.

For UK golf fans, it is worth following because it shapes the end of the PGA Tour season, affects major players, and gives late-summer golf a proper finish after The Open.

How to add Footwedge to your home screen. Instruction - 5 min read - 165 views - Footwedge How to and why you should add Footwedge to your home screen. What is the Good Good ad causing so much upset? Opinion - 9 min read - 95 views Good Good and Callaway’s deleted driver ad sparked backlash after a staged shove was criticised as tone-deaf. Here’s what happened and why it mattered. Golf Rules Every UK Golfer Should Know Rules - 10 min read - 16 views Golf rules do not need to be confusing. Learn the key rules every UK golfer should know, from lost balls and provisionals to relief, bunkers and scorecards. PGA Tour Championship Field & Picks Opinion - 8 min read - 129 views PGA Tour Championship field and picks for East Lake, including the top 30 qualifiers, format, favourites, UK players and FootWedge predictions. What to Expect at The Tour Championship Opinion - 9 min read - 157 views The Tour Championship is the PGA Tour’s season finale. Here’s what to expect at East Lake, how the top 30 works and why the 2026 format is easier to follow. What Golf Balls Do Professionals Use? Equipment - 10 min read - 37 views What golf ball do professional golfers use? See the balls played by Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, Fleetwood, Tiger and more, plus how to choose your own. What is the Fedex Cup? Instruction - 9 min read - 283 views The FedExCup is the PGA Tour’s season-long race. Here’s how the Playoffs work, why the top 70, top 50 and top 30 matter, and what changed in 2026. Jon Rahm Leaves LIV Golf? What’s Next for Rahm, LIV and the Ryder Cup Opinion - 11 min read - 53 views Jon Rahm’s reported LIV Golf exit could reshape the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Ryder Cup picture and the future of LIV’s biggest stars. Best Golf Courses in Surrey Opinion - 12 min read - 31 views Explore the best golf courses in Surrey, from Walton Heath and Wentworth to St George’s Hill, Hankley Common, Woking and more classic heathland venues. 2026 Solheim Cup Team Europe: Who Made the Team? Opinion - 8 min read - 37 views Team Europe’s 2026 Solheim Cup side is confirmed. See the full line-up, qualification routes, captain’s picks, rookies and key players to watch. Best Golf Courses in North Yorkshire Opinion - 10 min read - 37 views Explore the best golf courses in North Yorkshire, from Ganton and Fulford to Whitby, Scarborough, Romanby, Bedale and more. Is Jon Rahm Leaving LIV Golf? What It Could Mean for Golf Opinion - 8 min read - 69 views Jon Rahm’s LIV future is under fresh scrutiny. Here’s what a possible exit could mean for LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, Team Europe and the Ryder Cup. What Is the 1893 Club? Opinion - 7 min read - 77 views Learn how this reciprocal golf network works, which clubs are involved and why it can add real value to membership. Blade vs Mallet Putter: What Should I Use Opinion - 5 min read - 142 views How to Break 100 in golf Instruction - 5 min read - 109 views Why are so many pros using the Taylormade Spider? Opinion - 6 min read - 163 views TaylorMade Spider putters are everywhere on tour, from Scottie Scheffler to Rory McIlroy. Here’s why so many pros trust the Spider shape, high-MOI stability, alignment help and forgiving mallet design. 10 Drills for the Driving Range Instruction - 5 min read - 139 views Improve your driving range sessions with 10 practical golf drills, clear how-tos and smarter practice notes using the FootWedge Range feature. Who was James Braid? Opinion - 10 min read - 126 views James Braid shaped some of Britain’s best-known traditional golf courses. Here’s why his design legacy still matters, how the James Braid course discounts work and which local FootWedge courses to explore first. How do I get my golf handicap? Instruction - 10 min read - 121 views Learn how to get a golf handicap in the UK, including WHS, iGolf, general play rounds and how FootWedge helps golfers track progress. Who is Dan Brown? Opinion - 10 min read - 140 views A clear profile of the English golfer, including his DP World Tour wins, Open record and four-under first round at the 2026 Open. Can Bryson Complete The Grand Slam of Missed Cuts? Opinion - 5 min read - 111 views Bryson DeChambeau heads to The Open after three straight missed major cuts. Can he survive Royal Birkdale or complete a grand slam of missed cuts? Ready Golf Explained Instruction - 5 min read - 116 views clearly for UK golfers, including how it works, when to use it and how it helps improve pace of play on the course. Bryson DeChambeau’s New TaylorMade Driver for the 2026 U.S. Open Explained Equipment - 15 min read - 194 views - Footwedge This is what we know about Bryson DeChambeau's new prototype Taylormade driver which is planned for the US Open. What Golf Ball Should Beginners Use? Equipment - 10 min read - 121 views - Footwedge What is a good handicap? Opinion - 15 min read - 110 views - Footwedge Golf is hard. This might answer your question on what makes a good handicap. Golf games to play with friends Opinion - 5 min read - 100 views - Footwedge These are some great golf games to play with or against friends.