ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 22: Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts during the first round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. . Staggered scoring, a first in professional golf, gave FedEx Cup leader Justin Thomas a two-shot edge entering the 72-hole tournament at East Lake Golf Club.
The top 30 golfers in the 2018-19 season are competing this weekend for the $15 million FedEx Cup first prize, which is the largest payout in professional golf history. The PGA Tour, with the help of university statisticians, devised the staggered scoring system to alleviate the confusion that occurred last year at East Lake when Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship, but Justin Rose won the FedEx Cup and the $10 million top prize.
For example, Michael Kim won the John Deere Classic in 2018 for his first PGA Tour victory. He earned $1.379 million last season, ranking 91st on the Tour's money list - which was once the only way to measure a pro golfer's season, in the pre-FedEx Cup points world. The 26-year-old former Cal and Walker Cup star appeared bound for stardom. This season, though, Kim earned $104,936 in 26 tournaments, certainly losing money for the year after expenses, taxes, etc.
I just don't get the gist of this article unless there is a Socialist income inequality lesson here. Shallow reporting by not mentioning pros that struggle and strive on other tours. I know. Lets give every pro golfer a participation trophy so they won't feel left out
Congrats, Great article