Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the 2024 BMW Championship before the start of the second round due to a lower back injury. The Japanese player had an outstanding first round and was once again in contention for the title.
Given the time of year on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama's withdrawal raises questions about his eligibility to play in the Tour Championship. Only the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings will make the trip to East Lake Golf Club.
Hideki Matsuyama's victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship makes him a virtual lock for the Tour Championship. Even though he won't score any points at the BMW Championship, he has such a strong record that he will easily make it into the top 30.
Hideki Matsuyama is currently third in the FedEx Cup standings with 3,899 points. The BMW Championship awards 2,000 points to the winner, so only seven players can reach that total if they win the tournament. They are Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Sungjae Im, and Sahith Theegala.
Therefore, no combination at the BMW Championship will leave Hideki Matsuyama out of the Tour Championship. All that remains to be determined is his place in the rankings.
Matsuyama carded six birdies and one bogey in the opening round of the BMW Championship. He finished one stroke behind first round leader Keegan Bradley.
Hideki Matsuyama's FedEx Cup record at a glance
Hideki Matsuyama has been a regular presence among the top players in the FedEx Cup. In fact, he qualified for the Tour Championship every season from 2014 (his rookie year on the PGA Tour) through 2022.
In 2023, he broke into the top 50 and played at the BMW Championship. However, he was forced to withdraw after the first round due to injury. He was not in the same situation as in the current season and could not be included in the Top 30.
In nine appearances at the Tour Championship, he has finished in the Top 10 three times, including a fourth-place finish in 2018 as his best result.
Despite ranking among the top players in the FedEx Cup every year since 2014, Matsuyama has never won the title. He has only finished in the final top 10 twice; 8th in 2017 and tied for 9th in 2019.
His win a week ago at the FedEx St. Jude Championship was his first of the FedEx Cup playoffs. It was the 10th victory of his PGA Tour career and the 19th of his professional career.
Rory McIlroy is the most prolific FedEx Cup winner with three titles (2016, 2019, 2022). The other multiple winner is Tiger Woods with two (2007, 2009).