Collin Morikawa has taken a surprising stance on the abolition of 'Starting Strokes' at the Tour Championship, an announcement that caught golfers worldwide off guard: He actually liked the controversial rule because it rewarded regular season performance. For Morikawa, the old system gave the year a real purpose, even if he admitted it wasn't always easy for fans to keep track. A real curveball, considering how much criticism the format otherwise had to endure.
Why Morikawa Is Taking a Stand
The PGA Tour had scrapped the rule where players started the Tour Championship, the final of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with varying scores – depending on their standing in the FedExCup points list. Clearly, the Tour wanted to make it simpler and more exciting. But Morikawa saw it as a deserved reward: those who performed well all year long deserved to enter the season finale with a small advantage. For him, this advantage didn't hurt anyone.
Precisely this argument reignites the eternal debate: How do you balance seasonal consistency with the thrill of a pure winner-takes-all final? It's remarkable that Morikawa, who himself is active in professional golf, is taking a position usually held by critics of the rule. He thus offers a new perspective in an entrenched debate.
Morikawa at the BMW Championship
While the discussion about the rules rages on, Morikawa himself is currently in great form. At the BMW Championship, another highlight of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, he recently delivered a stellar performance. At around 10-under par, he is right at the top of the leaderboard before the final round, contending for a top finish. This is important not just for his ego, but also to optimally position himself for the grand finale of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
