Collin Morikawa Would Have Clinched PGA Tour Finale Without Staggered Start Format
Collin Morikawa Would Have Clinched PGA Tour Finale Without Staggered Start Format
In a dramatic twist, Collin Morikawa would have emerged victorious in the PGA Tour Championship if the tournament had not utilized its traditional staggered start format, which provides players with predetermined starting strokes based on their FedEx Cup standings.
The PGA Tour Championship, the season-ending event that determines the FedEx Cup champion, traditionally employs a staggered start to create a more dynamic competition. This format awards players additional strokes based on their position in the FedEx Cup standings prior to the tournament’s start. For the third consecutive year, Scottie Scheffler entered the event with a head start of 10-under par due to his leading position in the standings. However, without this advantage, the outcome of the tournament might have been markedly different.
Had the PGA Tour Championship not used the staggered start format, Morikawa would have claimed the top spot. Morikawa’s performance throughout the event showcased his exceptional skill and consistency. He delivered a remarkable display of golf by shooting the lowest 72-hole score among the field of the top 30 players, which, in this case, was a 22-under par aggregate score. His rounds of 66-63-67-66 demonstrated his high level of play across all four days of the tournament.
In contrast, Scottie Scheffler, who ultimately won the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup with a final score of 30-under par, benefitted significantly from the starting strokes. Scheffler’s final tally included the 10 strokes he started with, resulting in a 30-under par finish. When analyzing Scheffler’s performance without the extra strokes, his gross score would have been 20-under par, which placed him in third place based on the raw scoring.
In a closer examination, Sahith Theegala would have finished in second place with a gross score of 21-under par. Theegala’s final round of 7-under 64 highlighted his strong finish, which propelled him to this position. His performance, when removed from the influence of the staggered start, was impressive and showcased his potential.
Without the staggered start format, the leaderboard for the 2024 Tour Championship would have looked significantly different. Collin Morikawa would have led the tournament with his gross score of 22-under par, demonstrating his outstanding play throughout the event. Sahith Theegala would have claimed second place with his gross score of 21-under par, while Scottie Scheffler, despite a strong performance, would have fallen to third place with a gross score of 20-under par.
The rest of the field would have been adjusted accordingly. Russell Henley, with a gross score of 17-under par, would have finished in fourth place, while Adam Scott and Sungjae Im would have completed the top six with gross scores of 16-under and 15-under par, respectively. Notably, Justin Thomas would have ended in seventh place with a gross score of 14-under par.
The PGA Tour Championship’s format undeniably adds a layer of excitement and strategy to the tournament, influencing the final outcomes based on players’ performances and their positions in the FedEx Cup standings. While Scottie Scheffler’s victory was a testament to his exceptional season and the advantages of the staggered start format, Collin Morikawa’s raw performance without this format underscores his remarkable capabilities and potential as a top golfer.
In summary, Collin Morikawa would have emerged as the Tour Championship winner without the staggered start format, highlighting his prowess and consistency throughout the tournament. The adjustment to the traditional format revealed a different narrative, showcasing the significant impact that starting strokes can have on the outcome of the PGA Tour’s season finale.
