The PGA Tour is set to commence its new season in the scenic Napa Valley, California, ending a brief offseason. The buzz of excitement surrounding the Tour’s return centers on Scottie Scheffler, who recently clinched a remarkable $25 million payout with his victory at the Tour Championship.
As the anticipation builds, the FedEx Cup Fall series comes into sharp focus. This crucial segment of the season features eight events and provides opportunities for players who finished outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings after the St. Jude Championship. Notably, top-tier players like Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland will be skipping this series.
Opportunities and Stakes in the Fall Series
The fall series presents significant opportunities for participants. Winners of these events gain a two-year PGA Tour exemption and secure their spot in The Players Championship. Noteworthy events in this series include the Procore Championship, Sanderson Farms Championship, and the newly introduced Black Desert Championship in Utah. The series will conclude with the RSM Classic, scheduled from November 21-24.
The Procore Championship already boasts an impressive lineup with golfers such as Wyndham Clark, Gary Woodland, Webb Simpson, Max Homa, Corey Conners, Harris English, Min Woo Lee, and Sahith Theegala set to compete. For players hovering near the cutoff mark—like Zac Blair (No. 113), Kevin Tway (No. 122), and Sam Ryder (No. 125)—the stakes are particularly high, as their performance in the fall series could determine their future on the PGA Tour.
Maintaining PGA Tour Membership
For numerous players, the fall series is a pivotal period to retain their PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season. The top 125 players will secure their status, emphasizing the importance of every tournament and every shot. This competitive pressure is underscored by the current FedEx Cup standings, where Tom Kim leads with 1,079 points, closely followed by Mackenzie Hughes with 1,048 points, and Maverick McNealy with 1,045 points. Players such as Patrick Rodgers, Justin Rose, and Seamus Power are also in contention, making the competition even fiercer.
Perks and Rewards
The FedEx Cup points from the 2024 regular season will carry over into the fall series, adding another layer of excitement and strategy for the players. An added incentive is the provision for players ranked Nos. 51-60 after the fall series, who will earn exemptions to two of the first three signature events of 2025. These prestigious events include The Sentry, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Genesis Invitational.
As the PGA Tour embarks on this new season, the combination of fresh challenges and lucrative rewards promises to deliver thrilling golf action. Each event in the fall series will serve not only as a battleground for immediate victories but also as a stepping stone for future opportunities. Golf enthusiasts can look forward to a dynamic and competitive season ahead.