ATLANTA -- Unlike many PGA Tour golfers, Masters champion Rory McIlroy didn't hate the starting-strokes format used at the Tour Championship the past six seasons.

Under the format that was introduced in 2019, the FedEx Cup points leader started the season-ending event at 10 under, at least two strokes ahead of everyone else in the field. The No. 2 player in points started at 8 under, No. 3 at 7 under, No. 4 at 6 under, and so on.

Even world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler , who captured his first FedEx Cup after starting at 10 under in 2024, called the playoff format "silly."

This year, all 30 golfers in the field at East Lake Golf Club will start at even par in a traditional 72-hole tournament.

"I'm maybe part of the minority," McIlroy said Tuesday. "I didn't hate the starting strokes. I

See Full Page