PRESS BOX
PGA TOUR
Major Changes for 2007 FedEx Cup Becomes Centerpiece to Restructured Season
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem outlined dramatic changes to the TOUR schedule beginning in 2007 and featuring three primary components:
- The establishment of the FedEx Cup, a prestigious and lucrative seasonlong points bonus program for players and the centerpiece to the entire PGA TOUR season;
- A conclusive PGA TOUR Championship Series of four tournaments that focuses on the final push for the FedEx Cup title. The Championship Series will culminate with THE TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola, which will move from early November to a mid-September slot in the schedule;
- The creation of the PGA TOUR "Quest for the Card" Fall Series, which follows THE TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola and determines the remainder of the 125 players who will become eligible for the next year's FedEx Cup.
"We are very excited to announce these fundamental changes to the structure of the PGA TOUR, starting in 2007," Finchem said. "Our management team put considerable time and energy into the evaluation process of where we are and where we want to be in the coming years. We challenged ourselves to consider every viable option, from maintaining the current structure to making dramatic changes that best positions the TOUR for long-term appeal and growth.
"Making this ultimate scenario work was dependent upon the creation of a meaningful season-long points race, and we are delighted to announce FedEx's sponsorship of the competition. FedEx has been a great partner of the TOUR for 20 years, and its sponsorship of this compelling enhancement to our schedule will help take our sport to a completely new level. More details are to follow in regard to structure and payouts, but it will be very significant and will command the attention of players and fans alike."
The FedEx Cup competition will culminate with the PGA TOUR Championship Series starting in late August, featuring three full-field tournaments in major markets plus the newly slotted TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola, where the FedEx Cup champion will be determined. The FedEx Cup will offer one of the largest guaranteed bonus payouts of any major sport and the largest single winner's share.
"FedEx has a history of leveraging our sponsorship of the PGA TOUR and its events to target key customer audiences and drive business priorities," said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development and Corporate Communications at FedEx. "The FedEx Cup will expand that successful relationship, providing FedEx with greater visibility and opportunity to reach our customers."
"Changing the format is a great idea, having a new product is a great idea, and ending in a playoff is a great idea," said Davis Love III, one of four player directors on the TOUR's Policy Board. "We want a hotly contested final end of the season that grabs everyone's attention and people really want to watch."
Once the FedEx Cup champion is determined, the PGA TOUR "Quest for the Card" Fall Series will begin ' six to seven official money events that will finalize the money list that determines eligibility for the following year's Cup.
"We believe that the new structure will lend cohesive season-long meaning and excitement to our fans, fresh incentive to our players and added value to our sponsors," Finchem said. "We're confident it will benefit tournament field strength over the course of the season, enhance our television exposure and viewership, plus have a positive impact on our tournaments' charitable contributions. We're particularly pleased that this dramatically improved presentation of our sport is being accomplished while preserving an equivalent number of playing opportunities for PGA TOUR members."
"The FedEx Cup will lend a lot of excitement to the TOUR," said player director David Toms. "It is a great way to grow our TOUR and continue to have our brand in the marketplace like it needs to be. I also think the guys will continue to play in the fall and support the tournaments they've always played. And you have the story of the guys trying to keep their cards, which is a huge deal." Finchem said further details of the new components and the 2007 schedule will be released in the early months of the 2006 season.
 |
|
