Fowler to BMW Championship, Spieth Misses Playoffs: 2025 FedEx Cup

The initial competition of the FedEx Cup Playoffs witnessed Justin Rose achieve victory over J.J. Spaun in a thrilling playoff round at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship. However, the excitement didn’t conclude there on Sunday at TPC Southwind, situated in Memphis, Tennessee. While much attention was focused on those at the forefront of the leaderboard, familiar contenders were fiercely competing further down the ranks. These players were striving to accumulate sufficient points to secure a position within the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings by the end of the weekend, thereby earning qualification for the upcoming BMW Championship and extending their competitive seasons.

Attaining a spot in the top 50 is significant not only for advancing in the postseason but also for gaining entry into the subsequent year’s prominent tournaments. Securing participation in the BMW Championship grants automatic qualification for all eight signature events, which offer enhanced prize pools and a greater allocation of FedEx Cup points. This provides players with a solid advantage to structure their schedules for 2026.

“Considering I received a number of opportunities this year, for which I am very thankful, I regretfully didn’t fully capitalize on many of them until Jack’s event,” expressed Rickie Fowler. He successfully entered the top 50 due to a T6 result at the St. Jude Championship. “My performance in those elevated fields wasn’t up to par, and I didn’t accumulate many points.

“However, having a spot in them this year was beneficial, and I preferred not to depend on it for the following year. It’s advantageous to be in a position where we can return to those events without having to send notes or request assistance.”

Let’s examine the performances of those who were near the cut-off line this week in Memphis. Review the updated top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings, which represents the players who would qualify for the Tour Championship if they maintain their positions next week.

Players who advanced into the top 50

Fowler made the most significant progress of the week. The former Players Championship victor moved from just within the top 70 to slightly inside the top 50. Achieving that position is what truly matters. His T6 finish, which tied his best result of the season, occurred at an opportune moment, given the heightened FedEx Cup points that were available. Fowler was absent from the playoffs entirely in 2024.

Simultaneously, Vegas was hovering close to the bubble late in the competition and appeared likely to end up on the unfavorable side. After accumulating four bogeys in his initial 10 holes on Sunday, he completed his last eight holes at 3 under par, thereby securing his place in the following week’s competition. He will now endeavor to elevate himself into the top 30 and attain qualification for the Tour Championship for the first time since 2017.

“It was a challenge. I would characterize it as one of the toughest rounds of the year,” he stated. “I wasn’t feeling my best physically. It’s been an extended week with the heat and everything else. I wasn’t at 100%. My start was somewhat shaky for the first six holes. I was aware that my best performance wasn’t emerging, so I simply needed to persevere and get my mindset right.

“Fortunately, I managed to accomplish that, turn things around, and score some excellent birdies on 7 and 8, which steered the ship in the correct direction. However, it remained a struggle throughout. I anticipated that it would be that way today. That’s essentially what this period of the year is about. You’re aware that you’ll need to endure and persevere out here.”

Players who dropped outside the top 50

Notable accomplished players will be absent from the final two weeks of the playoffs, as Potgieter narrowly missed out on securing a spot in the BMW Championship field. The South African player was the sole rookie to participate in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Even a birdie on his final hole wasn’t sufficient to prolong his season.

Sadly, major champions such as Spieth and Clark also ended up on the wrong side of the cut-off. Spieth was contending with the bubble throughout the majority of Sunday’s round, prior to his second shot on the 72nd hole landing in the water, which ultimately diminished his prospects. The three-time major champion will be absent from the BMW Championship for the second consecutive season, while Clark will not participate in the season finale after achieving finishes of solo 8th and solo 3rd in the previous two years.

Lee entered the week as the bubble participant, and he rapidly provided hope to those on the outside looking in, when his name sank to the bottom of the leaderboard on Thursday. His performance never lifted at TPC Southwind. He played his final round of the year in 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it a rapid, albeit disappointing, trip to the playoffs.