Playoff Shifts in FedEx Cup: Which Contenders Improved Their Stance and Who Eliminated from Competition?
The first week of the FedEx Cup Playoffs has seen some significant movements in the standings, with several players securing their spots in next season's high-profile Signature Events.
Jhonattan Vegas and Bud Cauley have both moved up the ranks, with Vegas climbing from 56th to 49th and Cauley from 53rd to 46th, thanks to their T14 finishes. Rickie Fowler, who has had an impressive run, moved up from 64th to 48th following his T6 finish in the opener of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. This strong performance has secured Fowler a spot in all of the $20m Signature Events next season.
However, not everyone has had the same luck. Aldrich Potgieter, who recently won his maiden PGA Tour title, saw a drop from 43rd to 52nd after finishing T59th in Memphis. Similarly, Jordan Spieth, who was previously inside the top 50, has been knocked out of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and has fallen from 48th to 54th.
The top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings, minus Rory McIlroy, qualified for the opener of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately, Spieth's T38th finish at TPC Southwind was not enough to secure a tee time at the BMW Championship for the second consecutive year.
The BMW Championship, the next event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, will take place at Baltimore's Caves Valley Golf Club. Keegan Bradley, who will be responsible for the wildcard pick for the US Ryder Cup side, has moved up from 64th to 48th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Interestingly, five players have moved from outside the top-50 to inside the top-50 in the FedEx Cup standings. Meanwhile, 50 players remain in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with 20 players having been eliminated.
The PGA Tour Signature Events for 2023 include eight or nine high-profile tournaments outside the four majors and The Players Championship. These tournaments offer elevated FedExCup points (700 points compared to 500 for regular events), no cut for most of them, and stronger fields.
These Signature Events, which typically include The Sentry Tournament of Champions, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Truist Championship, Memorial Tournament, Travelers Championship, and the newly added Miami Championship, stand apart because of their elevated points, stronger prize funds, and typically no cut (except the three player-hosted ones).
Entry into these Signature Events is usually based on PGA Tour priority rankings, including FedExCup standings, career money lists, and tournament sponsor exemptions. Because these are limited-field events with elevated status, eligibility is stricter than regular tournaments. For player-hosted Signature Events, special invitations and eligibility may apply, often including past champions and top-ranked players globally.
[1] The PGA Tour's Signature Events for 2023 and Beyond
[3] PGA Tour Announces 2025-2026 Schedule
[4] PGA Tour Announces 2026 Schedule
- Despite his recent victory, Aldrich Potgieter has missed the opportunity to secure a spot in the upcoming $20m Signature Events next season due to his poor performance in Memphis.
- Keegan Bradley, who will represent the US in the Ryder Cup, has moved up the ranks and could potentially qualify for some of the high-profile Signature Events in golf next season.
