The World Cup 2014 is a long anticipated event.  It is the world’s largest sporting event followed by millions of fanatic soccer (football) fans!  Qualifying starts years prior to the event with hopeful nations vying for sports supremacy.  On 12 June 14, Brazil will host this exciting event that will surely capture the world’s attention!

Golf does not have anything nearly exciting as the World Cup, however for golfing enthusiasts, the FedExCup would be considered that event.  “The PGA TOUR season is divided into two segments – the FedExCup Season and the FedExCup Playoffs. The FedExCup Season generally includes events between the beginning of each calendar year and the middle of August, while the FedExCup Playoffs include four events from the middle of August until the middle of September.”  This format matches the qualifying process for the World Cup, but this is where the similarities stop.

The FedExCup Playoffs opened on Aug. 22-25 with The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Course in New Jersey City, NJ, then shift to the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston and BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club outside of Chicago, before concluding on 23 September 2013 at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.  These playoff events whittled the field from 125 players to 30.  But, where is the excitement; hype; the must watch matches?

The hype around the World Cup eclipses almost every event.  Despite that soccer is the worlds most played sport, it brings a level of excitement to each match that is unmatched anywhere.  The format of ‘one and done’ is the only way to conduct playoffs.  After all the training, commitment, and dedication, the playoffs add extra spice to the mix.  If a team loses in the playoffs they go home!  Past performances do not matter; world rankings do not matter; all that matters is playing for the moment.  Consider the greatest upset of all time, Uruguay over Brazil, 1950, demonstrated that at any given time, anyone can win!  Talk about Sport is Everything!

The FedExCup….not so much.  The limiting of the field through the final four tournaments is definitely a must!  It does provide a level of excitement that peaks the interest of most sports enthusiasts.  However, this is where real excitement for sports fans fades. The current FedExCup format does produce a strong field, but unfortunately format only ensures the big names in golf make it to the finals. There is no real “David and Goliath” excitement; the underdog remains under; and there is no last-minute heroic sand shot remembered for 60 years!  The FedExCup playoffs is like watching the same group of players week in and week out win large purses without any real excitement.  8 of the top 10 ranked players in the FedExCup are also in the top 10 in the world!  It is somewhat exciting for true golfing fans, but the current format does not generate the enthusiasm of a World Cup event.

The FedExCup should take a page from the World Cup.  Have all the qualifying tournaments to set up the 125-man field to start the playoffs.  Then, let the chips fall where they may.  Lose and go home!

Adopt the World Cup way.  Once the playoffs start, everything should be performance based.  If a pro plays well, they make it to the next stage.  If not, better luck next year.  Regardless of their world ranking, it allows that 125th ranked player the opportunity to reach out and rip the title out of the hands of the giant.

This format will make for great golf!  It will elevate the FedExCup to the ranks of a must see sporting events!  All sport nuts remember the huge upset, but rarely remember the team that should have won. Creating excitement on any playing field is really what fans want!

I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!