Scottie Scheffler turned heads at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week when he said the playoff format is ‘silly’. 

Scheffler made the claim when he was asked about the only trophy that has so far eluded him in an otherwise stellar career.

In 2022, Scheffler squandered a six-stroke lead in the final round and was pipped to the FedExCup title by Rory McIlroy. 

Viktor Hovland defeated Scheffler by a margin of 16 strokes at the Tour Championship last year, despite starting on 10-under. 

So it’s no wonder the world number one isn’t a fan of the format. 

“You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament,” Scheffler said. 

“Hypothetically, we get to East Lake and my neck flares up and it doesn’t heal the way it did at the Players. 

“I finish 30th in the FedEx Cup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament? Is that really the season-long race? 

“No, it is what it is.”

Billy Horschel was asked about the format too before the BMW Championship. 

“I disagree with Scottie,” Horschel said. “Scottie said it’s silly. 

“I don’t agree with that. I think we have a system now that — it’s never rewarded the best player throughout the regular season. 

“I won the ’14 FedExCup. Rory McIlroy was clearly the best player that year. 

“He had won two majors. He came in on a high note. 

“I was 69th in the start of the FedEx. I missed the first cut. I go second, win, win, and I win the FedExCup.”

“It’s no different than the New York Giants and beating the New England Patriots and starting the Playoffs 9-7 I think it was and the Patriots being undefeated and then winning the Super Bowl.”

Horschel added: “I think if you asked two other guys there’s two different opinions you’re going to get on the FedExCup and what they think is the best way.

“But I believe that our system and the way we do it — could we reward the regular season a little bit more? 

“Sure, we can. But this is a Playoffs. Anything can happen.”

Horschel wasn’t alone in liking the format. 

The reigning champion, the aforementioned Hovland, said in his news conference that it gives everyone a reason to tune in and see what happens to the guys that barely get into the playoffs. 

“I think that’s an exciting thing,” Hovland said. 

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Source: USA Today