HARARE, N.Y., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The first season-ending playoff in PGA Tour history begins Thursday with the world's No. 1 golfer temporarily on the sidelines.
The Barclays, played over the Westchester Country Club, will be the first of four tournaments that will determine the winner of the FedEx Cup, as well as a $10 million annuity.
Tiger Woods ended the regular tour campaign with more than a 12,000-point lead over Vijay Singh in the race for the championship, but the point totals are revised for the playoffs. Woods begins the playoffs with a 1,000-point lead over Singh, a 1,500-point advantage over Jim Furyk and a 2,000-point cushion over Phil Mickelson.
But Woods chose not to play this week, citing a need for rest. Because the winner this week earns 9,000 points, anyone ranked 59th or higher can pass Woods in the standings. Singh can take the lead if he finishes among the top 13.
The playoff field will be trimmed from 144 to 120 players for next week's tournament in Boston.
