The final round of the Wyndham Championship on Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina, came down to tense finishes that decided which players advanced to the FedEx St. Jude Championship playoff event. The focus centered on the FedExCup playoff bubble as Matti Schmid and Davis Thompson battled to secure the final spots in the 70-player field. Schmid’s late surge positioned him inside the cut line, while Thompson narrowly missed advancing. This decisive outcome marks a turning point for several competitors as the PGA Tour season approaches its climax in Memphis.
Matti Schmid’s Late Birdies Secure Playoff Spot
Matti Schmid entered the week sitting at No. 70 in FedExCup points, precisely on the bubble to qualify for the playoffs. Playing at Sedgefield Country Club, the 27-year-old German player closed the tournament with birdies on each of the final three holes, including a clutch 25-foot putt on the par-4 18th hole, which ultimately ensured his advancement. Despite struggling through much of the round, Schmid’s persistent effort helped him edge into the playoff field.
I obviously didn’t play too well today,
said Schmid, who finished with a 71 in the final round.
I struggled a bit with my game but hung in there, and putts finally started to drop toward the end. Yeah, just grinded out. I was pretty positive today trying to have a good finish.
—Matti Schmid, PGA Tour Player
Yeah, maybe with a bit of luck.
—Matti Schmid, PGA Tour Player
Schmid avoided being one of the few to drop out of the playoff field after a disappointing week. Ben An, for example, missed the cut and slid from No. 69 to No. 74, falling outside the top 70 in points.
Davis Thompson’s Final Hole Misses Cutoff by Narrow Margin
Davis Thompson began the Wyndham Championship ranked No. 78 and moved as high as No. 67 during the final round, temporarily entering the playoff bubble. His 47-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole gave him hope of continuing his season. However, a critical three-putt bogey on the final hole, the 18th, from 46 feet, pushed him just outside the cutoff and dropped him below Schmid in the FedExCup standings.
On the broadcast, CBS announcer Jim Nantz highlighted the tension as Thompson prepared for his putt:
Oh boy, 6 feet for everything.
Unfortunately, Thompson’s ball missed to the left and did not reach the hole.
That was a pretty big pull,
commented analyst Trevor Immelman.
Set up right edge and started left edge. … That stings.
—Trevor Immelman, Golf Analyst
Gary Woodland and Chris Kirk’s Playoff Fates
Gary Woodland also aimed to climb inside the top 70, starting from No. 75 on the FedExCup points list. Though he made birdies on holes 15 and 17, Woodland’s bogeys on 14, 16, and 18 resulted in a final standing at No. 72, just outside playoff qualification.
Meanwhile, Chris Kirk was the only player to advance inside the playoff field this week, improving his rank from No. 73 to No. 61 after a tied-fifth place finish. Kirk played a bogey-free Sunday round of 68, marking two birdies early in the round and holding steady to secure his position confidently.
Was a lot more nervous than I normally would have been,
Kirk admitted.
I knew I was in great position to have a good week and move on to next week, but there’s the pressure of that and then also trying to not try to think forward too much but try to get yourself in position to possibly make it to the BMW.
Didn’t quite get as many points as I would have liked, but overall, very happy with my game.
—Chris Kirk, PGA Tour Player
Implications for FedExCup Playoff Progression
The Wyndham Championship’s final round demonstrated the fine margins separating those who advance to the FedEx St. Jude Championship and those whose seasons conclude earlier than hoped. Matti Schmid’s resilience and ability to close strongly earned him a place in Memphis next week. In contrast, Davis Thompson’s missed putt and Gary Woodland’s inconsistencies on closing holes kept them outside the playoff bubble, significantly altering their opportunities to contend for the FedExCup title.
This outcome underlines the high stakes of the FedExCup points system heading into the playoffs, where every stroke counts. Players who slipped just below the threshold will aim to improve their standing in upcoming events, while those who advanced will look to capitalize on this momentum in pursuit of the season’s final prizes.