Do the math: FedEx Cup system works for PGA pros

Understanding the FedEx Cup playoff points system isn’t the easiest thing in the world to grasp for the average golf fan.

Heck, even many of the players on Tour are still struggling with the concept.

“Do you understand the point system?” Steve Stricker asked with a laugh and shake of the head Wednesday, while discussing the playoffs prior to today’s opening round of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill.

For most, the long answer is kind of. The shorter and more honest answer: not really.

Even former Northwestern star Luke Donald, who is fifth in the standings, had to defer when asked about the point differential between himself and Stricker (third) and how the U of I alum would remain ahead of him through a variety of scenarios this week.

“Well, I don’t know, I’m not a mathematician,” Donald said. “I’m just going to go out there and play as good as I can.”

But the good news is it really doesn’t matter if one is a number cruncher or not. What matters is, regardless of the point distribution system, the PGA’s postseason format of four playoff events culminating with The Tour Championship in Atlanta, seems to be working.

“It’s very hard to get a truly correct system,” Donald said. “You know, if you really want a playoff system that gives anyone a good chance of winning it, then I think they’re pretty right on with the system they have.

“Someone from 120 can have a great week, win and go to first at the beginning of the FedExCup. And that’s kind of a true playoff system, I suppose.”

While the scenarios are dizzying, what we do know heading into Thursday’s opening round is Matt Kuchar is atop the standings heading into the 70-player field this week, Charley Hoffman is on a roll after winning last week’s Deutsche Bank Championship and vaulting 57 spots to No. 2, and even a relative unknown such as Tom Gillis still has a chance to advance and be part of the final 30 players standing with a solid performance this week.

In other words, this thing is totally up for grabs.

“I think it’s exciting because it’s wide open,” Stricker said. “There are a number of guys that can win this. There isn’t one clearcut favorite. Tiger could win it still, Phil could win it still; anybody here in this field can still win it.

“And each week a different scenario plays out. So I think that’s what lends itself to some interest and to some excitement, not only for the fans but the players, as well. You’re sitting there watching where you’re projected to be at and all that stuff that’s going on throughout the week. So I think that’s what’s exciting about it all is that it’s just still wide open and anybody can win it.”

That includes the likes of youngsters such as Jason Day to veterans Ernie Els and Jim Furyk and even local players such as Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman.

It also includes Woods, the world’s No. 1 player, who enters the BMW Championship 51st in FedEx Cup points but feeling upbeat after tying for 11th last week.

“I’m headed in the right direction,” said Woods, who has won the BMW/Western Open five times. “(A win) obviously would be a good step in the right direction, but we’ve got four days and we just have to keep plodding along.”

And as for that points system?

“It is what it is,” Woods said. “Is it right? Who’s to say. I know we’ve changed how the points are structured, what three times now? There might be some tweaking going forward.”

But points aside, there’s still only one number that matters to Woods: the number 1.

“I’m in the event to win the tournament,” Woods said. “That’s the goal and it’s always been that way ever since I was very little.”