Tour Championship (Schauffele), FedExCup (Thomas) Winners Crowned In Day Of Mathematical Mystery

Let's hope this was the second-to-last FedExCup final of its kind as the confusion over who might win the Cup with each birdie, bogey and blunder was not particularly as interesting as the Tour Championship conclusion.

By having an algorithm-driven competition juxtaposed with a real-time golf tournament playing out, Commissioner Jay Monahan now has a dream scenario to point at for separating the conclusions in 2019's schedule remastering.

The silliness of it trying to figure it all out does not take away from the incredible accomplishments of Tour Championship winner Xander Schauffele or FedExCup winner Justin Thomas. Both capped off breakthrough seasons of differing types.

While Steve Hummer is right in his AJC game story that there was a little bit of something for everyone, the average sports fan and the above-average corporate sponsor paying to be part of this spectacle could not be blamed for wanting a more clever conclusion to the season.

Rex Hoggard at GolfChannel.com explains a dream scenario that almost arose but failed to do so because of bit players in the drama.

If Koepka was the one who tempted us with a possible $10 million showdown between Spieth and Thomas, it was Kevin Kisner’s birdie at the sixth to temporarily move into the lead by himself that propelled Spieth into the projected points hot seat. Forty-five minutes later, it was Tony Finau’s birdie to close his week that prompted an equally dramatic flip, with Thomas moving into the top spot.

You get the idea.

A game that invests so much in individual accomplishments turns into a crowd-sourcing experiment at the circuit’s big finish, and it was no surprise that it was the play of those on the periphery that had such an influence on the outcome.

Thomas discussed the oddity of trying to win a title without knowing where you stand and as Brian Wacker notes in this Golf World item, the final round offered supporting reminders as to why the playoffs need work.

“I knew if I won, finished second, maybe tied second I probably had a good chance depending on what Jordan did today, but I truly didn’t know,” he said. “It is weird just because I compared it earlier to Q school … you almost get out there not trying to win, you’re trying to finish a certain thing.

Jeff Babineau at Golfweek on another big day for the Class of 2011.

Will Gray with notes and best of moments from the final day.

I would agree with this man that Schauffele did the best he could with the trophy lift, but the Calamity Jane just isn't conducive to the traditional trophy display...

The final FedExCup standings and bonuses.

The final round highlights of the Tour Championship Presented By the FedExCup: