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McIlroy skeptical about Tour Championship format
By: Mike Stiles - Thursday, August 22, 2019

Rory McIlroy (photo courtesy of The Telegraph)

(ATLANTA) – Rory McIlroy is among those who remain a bit skeptical about the PGA Tour's format for the season-ending Tour Championship that will determine the winner of the FedEx Cup. While saying Wednesday that he understands many of the reasons for the new format, he also said "come back to me Monday and I'll tell you whether it's worked or not.'' For the first time in its 13 year history, the FedEx Cup will be decided using a staggered-start scoring system that ranked players based on their finish in the standings through the BMW Championship. Justin Thomas will begin the Tour Championship on Thursday at 10 under par, with subsequent descending scores down to even par for the 30th player. McIlroy begins in fifth place, meaning he is 5 strokes back of Thomas. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stressed that the Tour Championship "is not a tournament,'' but a continuation of the playoffs that will conclude with a season-long FedEx Cup champion. A few oddities leave room for skepticism. Two major champions, Tiger Woods and Shane Lowry, did not qualify for the 30 player field. And there are 11 players in the field who did not win a tournament this season. McIlroy has two wins and 13 top-10 finishes, yet Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, who have one win apiece, are ahead of him. Brooke Koepka, who begins 2 shots back of Thomas, won a major and had top-5 finishes in the other three. McIlroy won the FedEx Cup in 2016 when he captured the Tour Championship as well as a playoff event in Boston. He began the playoffs in 36th position that year. He also suggested that perhaps major winners should earn more points for their victories. A regular win brings 500 points, with 550 for a World Golf Championship victory and 600 for a major win. But at the two playoff events, the points total is increased so that the winners get 2,000.

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