Prominent Individuals Excluded from the FedEx Cup Playoffs Tournament
The FedExCup Playoffs are underway, with the FedEx St. Jude Championship marking the beginning of the series. However, one notable player was absent from the event – Rory McIlroy.
Despite qualifying for the playoffs, McIlroy chose to take a planned break, missing the first playoff event at TPC Southwind. He remains eligible for subsequent playoff events [1][3].
The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs following the Wyndham Championship [1][4]. Among these, 69 players competed at TPC Southwind.
Struggling Stars Miss Out
Several players who had high hopes of making the playoffs fell short.
Byeong Hun An, a former winner of the Genesis Invitational, was two under after his opening round of 68, but any hopes he had of kicking on from there were thwarted with a two-over 72 in the second round. This left him three below the cut line [2].
Tom Kim, the 2022 Wyndham Championship winner, needed solo third or better at the Wyndham Championship to make the Playoffs. However, he withdrew after a three-over 73 in the first round and 13 holes of the second round [2].
Max Homa, who had a disappointing 2025 season, needed to finish no worse than a two-way tie for second at the Wyndham Championship to reach the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Despite a promising start with a first round of 66, he missed the cut by four after a second round of 75 [2].
Unfulfilled Hopes
Several players had a chance to secure their spot in the playoffs but fell short.
Keith Mitchell, who last won at the Honda Classic in 2023, followed up an opening round of 68 with a 70 to finish on two under. Despite coming desperately close to extending his tournament, he still missed the cut [1].
Nick Dunlap, who has just one top 10 to his name this season, at the Sony Open in Hawaii, needed a win this week to keep his FedEx Cup Playoff dream alive. However, rounds of 73 and 69 condemned him to his 11th missed cut of the season [1].
Sahith Theegala, who has been affected by a neck injury this season, needed a win to make the Playoffs during a difficult season. However, he missed the cut at the Wyndham Championship with rounds of 72 and 74 [1].
Playoff Hopefuls Fight On
Despite missing out on the Wyndham Championship, Adam Scott, Gary Woodland, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Joel Dahmen are still fighting for a spot at TPC Southwind after making it into the final two rounds of the Wyndham Championship [1].
Brandt Snedeker, a former FedEx Cup champion, had a remote chance of making the Playoffs with a 348-point gap to make up on the player in 70, but rounds of 69 and 70 left him one under for the tournament and missing the cut by two [1].
As the FedExCup Playoffs continue, these players and many others will be fighting to claim the coveted title and the substantial prize money on offer.
[1] Golf Digest [2] ESPN [3] Golf Channel [4] PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy, though qualified, chose to skip the first FedExCup Playoffs event at TPC Southwind due to a planned break. Golfers Byeong Hun An and Tom Kim, both hoping to secure a spot in the playoffs, missed the cut and withdrew, respectively. On the other hand, Adam Scott, Gary Woodland, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Joel Dahmen, despite missing the Wyndham Championship, are still fighting for a place in the following playoff events.
