FedExCup standings update: Kizzire back to No. 1
Alabama native and former Web.com Tour POY eyes first trip to East Lake
ATLANTA – The 2017-18 PGA TOUR Season has its first multiple winner with Patton Kizzire capturing the Sony Open in Hawaii after a six-hole playoff duel with James Hahn, just three starts after his maiden PGA TOUR victory in November at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Back atop the standings for the second time this season with 1,213 FedExCup points, the Auburn University product is a virtual lock to make his TOUR Championship debut Sept. 19-23. In the history of the FedExCup, no player with two or more wins on the season has failed to qualify for the TOUR Championship. Hunter Mahan came the closest to not qualifying with two wins in 2012, entering the TOUR Championship at No. 23 in the standings.
Now in his third full season on the PGA TOUR, Kizzire, the 2015 Web.com Tour Player of the Year, has advanced no further than the second event of the FedExCup Playoffs at the Dell Technologies Championship. But with two wins through just 10 events this season, Kizzire’s early success is a testament to how a fast start can pay dividends when it matters most come August and September.
“The focus has started to move towards the FedExCup. Guys are really focusing on that and to get a leg up and kind of get a fast start,” Kizzire said. “I'm chasing that trophy. Everybody wants to be No. 1 at the end of the year and to play well coming down the stretch at the TOUR Championship. That's a goal of mine, and I'm looking forward to that.”
While one win is a giant step toward making it to the TOUR Championship, it sometimes doesn’t guarantee a trip to East Lake. Last season alone, 15 players with just one victory did not qualify. But those who add a second victory, however, significantly improve their chances. Last season, the least amount of points needed to qualify for the TOUR Championship was 1,322 points, meaning Kizzire’s current 1,213 points leaves little work to do to reach the season finale.
“The first win was big, and this one is even bigger,” Kizzire said. “To get a leg up on the FedExCup and go back to No. 1. Our ultimate goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the year. We've got a long way to go. A fast start is always a positive. I'm excited to be back on top and look forward to taking that Cup.”
With the PGA TOUR shifting to the mainland and the West Coast Swing, here’s a look at the current top 10 in the FedExCup standings. Of the top 10 players in the FedExCup standings, seven qualified for the TOUR Championship last season.