The FedEx Cup dreams of a host of Australians as well as several PGA Tour stars are on the line this week as the regular season wraps up at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Only the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings at tournament’s end will advance to the first stage of the three-event playoff series that boasts a US$10 million (A$15.5m) prize for the winner of the Tour Championship, but there are subplots a plenty that are set to play out this week.
The field is the strongest it has been since the FedEx Cup era began in 2007 with 21 of the world’s top 50 confirmed starters.
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Americans and Europeans are chasing lucrative Ryder Cup points, while the likes of Ben Griffin and Keegan Bradley strive to protect their slice of the US$40 million shared among the top ten in the FedEx Cup standings at regular season’s end. A total of US$100m (A$155m) in bonuses are distributed in total.
Others endeavour to play their way into the top 50 to sure up a place in next year’s signature events, or simply retain their Tour card.
The caveats on offer are why late golf writer John Feinstein labelled the Wyndham Championship, which is full of tournaments within a tournament, “the last chance saloon”.
One such player whose destiny is in their own hands this week is Australia’s Adam Scott.
The 2013 Masters champion, who announced on Wednesday that he will be returning home this Australian summer for the Australian Open, the Australian PGA Championship and The Cathedral Invitational, will need to deliver something special this week to progress to the playoffs.
In fact, he will need to come in a two-way tie for third or better to jump into the top 70 as he currently ranks 85th in the standings off the back of going without a top ten finish this year.
“I actually think sometimes when it’s like a last chance thing, this will be my last chance to play on the PGA Tour potentially for some weeks, it’s do or die and that’s a fun way to play,” Scott said.
“Sometimes we, or I have fell in the trap of like there’s always next week if it doesn’t work out and that’s not the case here, so I think that’s not a pressure but more motivation.”
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Compatriot Cam Davis is sitting 67th and simply needs a solid week to hold his ground, while Australian PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips is two places above Scott, and needs a solo fourth finish or better.
Jason Day (36th) and Min Woo Lee (49th) will put their feet up this week as they are sitting pretty as Scott hopes to create a happy memory at a venue that has been the scene of many heartbreaks.
None more so than four years ago, when he missed a four-foot birdie putt for the win at the first hole of a six-player playoff, and went on to lose to Kevin Kisner.
It was a putt that Scott would love to take back.
“It really, it does sting,” Scott said.
“I was doing a little function last night and I talked about it, and if you asked me quickly, there are two putts that I really feel strongly about in my career and that’s one of them. The other one was at the British Open one year to make a playoff with Ernie (Els).
“Yeah, the two putts I wish I could have back, really. Thinking back to it at the time, it hurt then but it kind of almost hurts more now because I haven’t won since then either. It’s not easy to win out here. You really do have to take advantage of those opportunities on Tour because you just don’t know when the next one’s going to come.”
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Adam Scott of Australia reacts after missing a putt for birdie on the 18th green, the first-playoff hole in a six-way sudden-death playoff, during the final round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 15, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Two years ago, a tie for seventh was not enough to reach the playoffs, ending a 16-year run.
But if Scott can pull of a herculean effort this week, he will be buoyed his memories of last year’s return to the playoffs.
A tied 18th finish at the FedEx St Jude Championship protected his standing in the top 50, and then the now 45-year-old went on an incredible two-week run to finish tied second at the penultimate BMW Championship before coming tied fourth at the Tour Championship.
Despite a disappointing final round 79 to fall to tied 12th, Scott also gains confidence from making the final group at this year’s US Open.
“I need to be on the front foot a little bit, I can’t be sitting back waiting for it to happen,” he said.
“I’ve got a couple of days to put myself in contention for the weekend. I feel confident with my game that I can do that.
“It’s about executing. And anyone’s going to have to play well out here. The course is one of those old-style courses where you need to be in control of your golf ball.”
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Outside of the Australian contingent, Presidents Cup star Tom Kim and US Ryder Cup representative Max Homa are among the big names needing a stellar performance to reach the playoffs.
Kim, ranked 89th, won at Sedgefield in his last appearance three years ago, but after an underwhelming campaign, the Korean will need to finish solo third or better to advance.
Homa meanwhile, is ranked 106th and requires at least a two-way tie for second to progress, while wrestling with the stress of the chance his wife may give birth to their second child any day as she is due next week, but she gave her blessing for him to play.
For those that fall outside the top 70, the ‘Fall Series’ will be next on their schedule.
Seven events after the playoffs will give players outside the top 70 the chance to finish in the top 100, who retain full-exempt status for next season.
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 30: Max Homa of the United States walks the 14th hole prior to the Wyndham Championship 2025 at Sedgefield Country Club on July 30, 2025 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jared C. Tilton / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
That number has dropped from 125 in previous years to make the situation even more cut-throat.
For those inside the top 70, there is the chance to improve their standing as the top 50 advance from the first stage of the playoffs before only the top 30 take part in the Tour Championship.
That is why the likes of Jordan Spieth (50th), Tony Finau (60th) and Rickie Fowler (61st) are teeing it up this week.
“When I sat out, I moved from 38th all the way down to 48th essentially just by not playing,” Spieth, who missed several weeks due to injury and the birth of his third child, said.
“So it would be nice to have a huge boost this week and not have to worry about it next week, but I’m fully prepared to have some stress next week on that 50 number, and ideally a good start this week or next week really takes a lot of that off.”
