Something had to give—and finally, it has. After years of complaints, confusion, and calls for reform, the PGA Tour is officially shaking up the format of the TOUR Championship. It’s been brewing behind the scenes for months, but as of April 2025, the first details are out. The biggest headline? Starting strokes are done. That’s right—the staggered leaderboard, introduced back in 2019 to give FedExCup leaders a head start, is being scrapped. For many fans and players alike, it’s a long-overdue move.

According to Golfweek, players reached a consensus at last week’s Player Advisory Council (PAC) meeting that starting strokes no longer belong in the format. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has played a hands-on role in shaping the future of the Tour Championship, stressing the need for a format that better reflects the expectations of players, fans, and sponsors alike. Recent policy board meetings have heavily focused on the issue, with Monahan noting it remains a priority heading into continued discussions with the PAC. One of the most influential voices in those conversations has been World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who’s been outspoken in his belief that the current structure doesn’t do justice to a season-long competition. “You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament,” he argued– a sentiment that resonates with many in the game. Together, Monahan and Scheffler are helping steer a collaborative effort to redesign the Tour Championship into a more balanced, competitive, and respected finale, ensuring it rewards consistency without losing the drama fans expect.

Adam Scott, who serves on the PGA Tour policy board, didn’t mince words. “I thought it needed improving. That was my thing. I thought I could give good perspective and help make it more straightforward, easy, and more respected throughout all sports. I’ve been sidetracked a lot,” Scott said. He even called the staggered-start system “gimmicky,” noting it added confusion to what should be the Tour’s most straightforward and prestigious event.

Sam Burns, who sits on the PAC’s competitions committee, said the disconnect was real. “All year we start even—and then in our biggest tournament of the year, there are starting strokes? There’s a bit of a disconnect,” Burns said. The players clearly want a more traditional format that fans can easily understand. And while everyone has different ideas of what the perfect system looks like, they all seem to agree on this much: it’s time for a change that gives every player a shot while still respecting the grind of the regular season. Additionally, the new format will not be match play or bracket-style, ensuring it stays true to the tournament’s roots while introducing the desired improvements.

Now, before anyone gets too excited, 2025 is what the Tour is calling a “bridge year.” That means we won’t see a fully locked-in, long-term format just yet. Changes will start to roll out this season, but the final version depends on a few more puzzle pieces falling into place—including feedback from the Tour’s broadcast partners (NBC and CBS), presenting sponsors like FedEx and Coca-Cola, and, of course, the fans.

Fans pour in their opinions: ‘Finally, the starting strokes are gone’

The news made waves on social media when @UnderdogGolf shared the update on X, via @golfweek. And the replies? Classic golf Twitter. “Finally the starting strokes are gone,” one fan exclaimed, speaking for many who’ve found the staggered leaderboard both anti-climactic and confusing. It’s been a sticking point for years—fans felt it robbed the event of true competition, creating too much of a head start for the season points leader. Now, everyone starts even, and fans are loving it.

Not all reactions were glowing, though. “I like starting strokes icl so not a fan of this,” one user chimed in, pointing out that the format did reward season-long consistency. And some were even more fired up about the new format, “The people demand match play,” another posted. That format, though often floated, was ruled out by players who felt it didn’t fit the Tour’s DNA—too much risk of top names going out early, killing viewership and buzz before Sunday. One user stated bluntly: “No matter what they do, no one will care about the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup vs the majors,” drawing a parallel to how, no matter how much effort goes into making the Tour Championship a more competitive or exciting event, it will always play second fiddle to the iconic and deeply ingrained traditions of golf’s major championships. Fans and players alike will always prioritize the significance of the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship above all else, no matter the format changes.

The big question fans are now asking: how do you make the TOUR Championship fair and dramatic without it feeling like a gimmick or a shrug-fest? One fan might’ve nailed it with this: “Every player that makes the Tour Championship should have a fair shot at winning that event. It should be one of the premier trophies on the calendar. But somehow you need to also reward players who have played the best all season in having a better chance to win the FedExCup.”

Whatever shape this new format takes, one thing is clear—change is coming, and for better or worse, the TOUR Championship won’t look the same again.