Until last season, the FedEx Cup Playoffs welcomed the PGA Tour’s top 125 to the postseason — and those 125 received a full Tour card for the following season, too. But things have changed. Belts have tightened. Playoff berths have shrunk to 70, in line with rough field sizes at the Tour’s Signature Events, which means entrance has grown more competitive.
At this point in the year, chances for improvement have grown scarce; this week’s 3M Open and the Wyndham Championship in two weeks’ time conclude the regular season. And with fewer golfers qualifying, more names you know are left on the outside looking in.