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$15mill Cup dwarfs Norman's earnings

3 minute read

Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are vying for the $US15 million FedEx Cup, which is more than countryman Greg Norman earned in his US Tour career.

ADAM SCOTT
ADAM SCOTT Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

With $US15 million at stake, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are competing for more money at this week's Tour Championship than their idol Greg Norman won in his US PGA Tour career.

But the duo will have to overcome the event's convoluted format - and a large scoreboard deficit - to become the first Australian winner of the FedEx Cup title in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scott and Leishman are the only Australians to have qualified for the PGA Tour's 30-man play-offs finale, where a season-long points race culminates with the FedEx winner pocketing a $US15 million bonus.

Second place on the final FedEx standings pockets $US5 million while 30th place is guaranteed $US395,000.

Scott and Leishman grew up idolising two-time major winner Norman, whose 20-win US PGA Tour career amounted to $US14.5 million in prize money.

That was before Tiger Woods changed the face of the sport - his wild popularity increasing tournament prize purses and corporate sponsorship exponentially.

No Australian has won the FedEx since it was introduced in 2007 but this week will be the first edition of its bizarre new format.

As the FedEx points leader, American Justin Thomas will take a two-stroke lead into the start of the Tour Championship.

He will tee off on Thursday with a 10-under-par total at East Lake Golf Club.

The next four players on the points list will start at eight-under through five-under, respectively, while Nos. 6-10 will start at four-under.

The scores will regress by one stroke every five players until those ranked 26th to 30th start at even par.

From there, the Tour Championship winner claims the FedEx title.

Although complicated, Scott is a fan of the format given he is 13th on the standings and will start at three-under-par, seven shots behind Thomas.

"Absolutely (I'm looking to win); I'm seven back with four rounds to go," Scott told AAP. "I'm in great shape because I'm still in it."

Under the previous format, the top-five on points were guaranteed the FedEx title with a Tour Championship win.

Bill Haas (2011) is the only FedEx champion to come from outside the top 20 on the standings.

"It's better for guys mid pack because the top-five can't control everything if they play well," Scot said.

Two of Leishman's four PGA Tour victories have come from starting the final round behind the leaders.

Leishman, ranked 21st, says this week will be similar and fancies himself as a chaser.

"I've won tournaments from behind and I can do it again," said Leishman, who will start at one under.

"I think it'll be exciting and I hope no-one runs away with it."

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