The PGA Playoffs: A Wild Ride to Golf Glory (and Maybe a Few Bogeys) 

Strap on your golf shoes, grab your favorite beverage, and pack an extra sleeve of balls, because the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs are officially teeing off this week. Think of it like golf’s version of the Hunger Games, but instead of dodging arrows, these pros are dodging double bogeys and chasing a share of a $100 million prize pool. No pressure, right? Whether you’re here for the drama, the stats, or just need a reason to spend 5 hours on the couch this weekend, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know from history, format, favorites, dark horses, and enough one-liners to make your golf group chat jealous. Let’s get into it! 

A Quick History of the FedEx Cup 

Back in 2007, the PGA Tour decided the regular season needed a little spice. So, they introduced the FedEx Cup Playoffs which is a three-tournament sprint to crown the season champ and dish out boatloads of cash. The first winner? A guy named Tiger Woods. You might’ve heard of him. Since then, the format’s evolved. The points system got tweaked, the starting strokes got scrapped, and Rory McIlroy has taken home the cup a record three times. The playoffs have become the crown jewel of the Tour, with a serious purse and even more serious bragging rights. 

The 2025 FedEx Cup Playoff Schedule 

No cuts. No mulligans. Just raw, pressure-packed golf. 

How It Works: The Format Breakdown 

The FedEx Cup Playoffs are a three-event gauntlet. 1st event is the FedEx St. Jude Championship where Top 70 in the season-long standings tee it up. Everyone plays all four rounds. After that is the BMW Championship, Only the top 50 move on. Pressure? Sky high. Finally, we reach the Tour Championship, Final 30 players compete at East Lake with no starting strokes this year. Everyone starts at even par, and it’s a straight-up 72-hole shootout for $25 million. Every playoff win is worth 2,000 points—more than double a regular-season W. So even the long shots have a shot. 

The Favorites: Who’s Looking Like a Lock? 

Scottie Scheffler, The man. The myth. The walking ball-striking cheat code. Scheffler is the No. 1 seed with 4,806 points, multiple wins including the PGA Championship, and 11 straight top 10s. He also leads the Tour in strokes gained overall (+2.5). Basically, he’s playing a different game than the rest of the field. Then there is Rory McIlroy, Fresh off a Masters win and finally securing that career grand slam, Rory’s cruising into the playoffs at No. 2. He’s skipping Memphis, but thanks to the points reset, he’ll still be a threat in Atlanta. Oh, and he’s won Quail Hollow four times, the dude loves the big stage. Xander Schauffele, quietly one of the most consistent players on Tour, Xander won the PGA Championship and is hovering near the top of the leaderboard all year. Don’t be surprised if he goes full ninja and steals the FedEx Cup. 

Dark Horses & Long Shots (AKA the Cinderella Crew) 

Sepp Straka, Two wins this season, including the Truist Championship, and currently third in the standings. If this guy keeps up the heat, he could be the playoff spoiler no one saw coming. Harry Hall, the man’s made 14 straight cuts and snagged seven top 20s this year. At 75/1 odds, he’s a sleeper with serious upside. Patrick Reed, say what you will, but Reed lives for the spotlight. With seven top 10s in majors and a reputation for thriving in pressure, he’s the chaos agent we didn’t ask for but might get. Brian Harman & Justin Rose, Veterans with playoff experience and a couple of strong finishes recently, these guys could lurk in the weeds and leap into contention. 

Stats to Impress Your Buddies at the 19th Hole 

$100 million is up for grabs across the playoffs. $20 million purse at the St. Jude alone. $25 million to the Tour Championship winner. No more cuts, every player gets four rounds to make magic (or mess). Rory McIlroy has 4 wins at Quail Hollow and 3 FedEx Cups aka the playoff GOAT. Scottie Scheffler, 17 career PGA Tour wins, most in the field. 

Why Even Casual Fans Should Care 

We get it, golf isn’t always fast paced. But the FedEx Cup Playoffs bring the heat. No handicaps. No starting strokes. No second chances. Just the world’s best going full send with $25 million on the line. Whether you’re team Scheffler, riding the Rory redemption arc, or just here to root for chaos (Reed, anyone?), this is can’t miss golf. Plus, it’s a solid excuse to turn your living room into a clubhouse and yell “GET IN THE HOLE!” every time a 40-footer drops. 

Final Thoughts: Let the Madness Begin 

The next few weeks are going to be a rollercoaster. Will Scottie complete his domination tour? Can Rory reclaim his playoff throne? Or will someone totally unexpected steal the spotlight? Whatever happens, Bad Bogey Society will be watching with cold drinks, bad swings, and worse bets. Because whether you’re a scratch golfer or a Saturday slicer, we’re all in this bogey-filled journey together. 

Until next time—swing hard, aim left, and embrace the chaos. Follow Bad Bogey Society on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for memes, merch, swing breakdowns, and more bad-to-the-bone golf content. Let’s make the playoffs fun again.