Patrick Cantlay criticizes FedEx Cup: 'Not a good format'

Despite being the current leader in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Patrick Cantlay has a bone to pick with the series' composition.

"I think, frankly, it's not a good format," Cantlay said Wednesday during his pre-tournament presser, according to Golf.com's Kevin Cunningham. "I think it's obvious why they went to the format because the previous format was confusing. I think this format is less confusing, but I don't think it's a good format."

The 29-year-old's main gripe is that there's no longer a true winner at the season's final event. The TOUR Championship format received a facelift after 2018, and players are now given starting scores based on their FedEx Cup ranking. The winner of the tournament and FedEx Cup is whoever finishes with the lowest score-to-par.

"I dislike the fact that we no longer have a TOUR Champion. So I dislike the fact that no one knows, when they look at the leaderboard, who shot the lowest round this week," Cantlay said.

He pointed to the 2020 TOUR Championship as an example. Xander Schauffele shot the lowest score (265) over four days at East Lake, while Dustin Johnson shot a 269. But because Johnson started at 10-under and Schauffele at 3-under, Johnson got the win and Schauffele finished third.

"I think the fact that Xander didn't get a tournament win for beating the field by two or three shots is absolutely criminal, not just because he's my friend, but I think that if that happened to anybody that would be criminal," he said.

"There are lots of smart people, and I guarantee you there must be an option for a better format out there than the current one we are playing in."

Cantlay edged out Bryson DeChambeau during a spirited six-hole playoff at last weekend's BMW Championship and is starting the 2021 TOUR Championship at 10 under. The tournament is currently underway at East Lake.