The PGA Tour announced today that Comcast Business signed a multi-year deal to sponsor and fund the former Wyndham Rewards Top 10 gimmick. The new title will be Comcast Business TOUR TOP 1O, and will start with the current 2020-21 PGA Tour Season.
Launched in 2019, the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 was intended to provide “drama at the season-ending Wyndham Championship with top PGA Tour stars vying for $10 million in bonus money.” Except in its season debut, Brooks Koepka won two majors and wrapped up the cash bonus well in advance.
The same thing happened in 2020 with Justin Thomas, who was awarded $2 million before the Wyndham Championship even teed off.
The money is apparently so meaningless to these multi-millionaire Tour stars that six of the top-10 ranked opted out of the Wyndham event completely in 2020. Even then No. 11 Xander Schauffele, who was just 37 points behind Jon Rahm for 10th place, and a $500,000 bonus, took a pass.
It was a huge $20 million bust for Wynhdham.
Anyhow, here’s the latest spin from the PGA Tour and Comcast:
“We appreciate the support of Comcast Business in highlighting the PGA TOUR’s top 10 performers from the FedExCup Regular Season and recognizing the hard work players put into every PGA TOUR season to play their best,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer.
“Navigating the FedExCup Regular Season is extremely challenging as players get into the best position possible for the FedExCup Playoffs. Our ‘super season’ of 50 events features more FedExCup points than ever before, which raises the importance of every event and every shot.
“Finishing within the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 means you were able to rise to the top as a result of exceptional performance throughout the Regular Season.”
Bill Stemper, President, Comcast Business, said, “We could not be more excited to partner with the PGA TOUR to sponsor the new Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10. Our shared commitment to delivering premier experiences and enabling the highest levels of performance make this partnership a natural fit.
“We look forward to the continued growth of the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 and to an exciting finish to this year’s FedExCup Regular Season. Best of luck to all the players!”
“As a foundational media partner of the PGA TOUR and a part of the Comcast family, we’re thrilled to amplify the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 on NBC and GOLF Channel throughout the FedExCup Regular Season, emphasizing season-long performances by the world’s top golfers each week as they battle for position in the FedExCup Playoffs,” said Tom Knapp, executive vice president, partnerships and programming, NBC Sports.
Below are some of my past posts on this issue:
Handicap Strokes, Huge Payouts Highlight PGA Tour’s Revamped FedExCup
Justin Thomas Rewarded With $2 Million Bonus After Finishing T37
10 FAQs: Tour Championship, FedExCup Format
