Prize money is the only thing that separates the pros from the amateurs, and it’s the most objective indicator of a competition’s quality. It’s almost always true that the bigger the prize pool, the more prestigious the competition.
In this regard, the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the final round of the U.S. Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour, is arguably the best golf tournament in the world. That’s because the combined prize pool for all three events is $115 million. That’s $10 million more than last year. The maximum prize money a player can take home ($25.2 million) is more than the total prize money of most major tournaments.
In the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship ($20 million in prize money), Kim Joo-hyung (21) started the “War of the Chuns” with a solo second place finish.
Kim carded seven birdies and one bogey for a 6-under 64 in the first round at TPC Southwind (par 70, 7243 yards) in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, on Monday (Nov. 11). He is tied for second place, one shot behind leader Jordan Spieth (30-USA).
Kim Joo-hyung to win first Korean title
The FedExCup playoffs, which have undergone several changes since their inception in 2007, have been held since 2019, with the eventual winner going on to win the Tour Championship. However, even if you win the first and second rounds, which are qualifiers, you will be recognized as a ‘PGA victory’. Each tournament also has its own prize fund.
However, the FedEx Cup Playoffs have never been won by a Korean player. Even on the PGA Tour, where the world’s best players are gathered, only the top-ranked players appear, making it more difficult to win than other tournaments.
The PGA Tour reduced the number of players in the first round this year from 125 last year to 70 this year, so only four South Koreans made the cut: Kim Joo-hyung, Lim Sung-jae (25), Kim Si-woo (28), and Ahn Byung-hoon (32).
The best result by a Korean player to date was a runner-up finish at the Tour Championship last year. At the time, Lim finished in a tie for second place, one stroke behind winner Rory McIlroy (34-Northern Ireland), who shot a final total of 20-under par. He earned $5.75 million for his runner-up finish.
Hopes are also high for the first ever Korean winner as Kim Joo-hyung began the first round in sole possession of second place. Kim, who injured his ankle in the opening round two weeks ago and was unable to defend his Wyndham Championship title last week, looked fully recovered on the day. Starting on the 10th (par-4), he made four shots in the first half to move into a share of the lead. In the second half, he made three straight birdies on Nos. 2-4. It was on the seventh (par-4) that he dropped a stroke when his tee shot went into the right rough.
If Kim takes the top spot in the first round, the second and third rounds will be easy. It’s worth 2,000 FedExCup points to win the tournament, compared to just 500 points in the regular season. Kim, who started the day 14th in the FedExCup points standings, will need 2,000 points to mathematically overtake current leader Yon Ram (29-Spain).
If he does well in the second round, he will enter the final round with a “bonus shot,” which will be awarded on a sliding scale based on the FedExCup standings. The FedExCup points leader at the end of the second round will start the Tour Championship at 10-under par.
Rarely seen ‘Big 3’ staggered
The resurgence of Jordan Spieth (30, USA), who will be looking to reclaim his first FedExCup Playoff victory in eight years, will also be a key factor. Spieth had a chance to win the first round when he eagled a chip shot from outside the green on the par-5 16th hole of the day. Spieth, 31st in the FedExCup points standings, would instantly move into the “top three” if he wins this event. 메이저사이트
Men’s golf’s “Big Three,” McIlroy, Scott Schauffler (27-USA) and Rahm, were split on day one. McIlroy and Schauffler both shot 3-under-par 67s on the day and are tied for 15th, while Rahm shot a 3-over-par 73 and is tied for 65th. Rahm, who was ranked No. 1 in the FedExCup standings after the regular season, could slip to No. 2 or lower if he finishes this way. Of the Big Three, only McIlroy (2019, 2022) has won the final FedExCup Playoffs title.
Im Sung-jae and Ahn Byung-hoon are tied for 15th at 3-under 67. Siwoo Kim is tied for 34th at 2-under 68.