Collin Morikawa recently competed in the 2024 Tour Championship and finished second. The American golfer delivered an impressive performance of 26 under par. However, his gross score after four rounds was 22-under par.
Morikawa began the tournament with a 4-under par advantage, as the Tour Championship provides players with a stroke advantage based on their ranking in the FedEx Cup standings.
Scottie Scheffler, who topped the FedEx Cup standings, started the tournament with a 10-under par advantage. His gross score at the Tour Championship was 20-under par, but with the ten-stroke head start, his overall score was 30-under par, securing him the victory in the tournament.
Although Collin Morikawa had the lowest score at the Tour Championship, he finished in second place since the net score is considered. Taking a playful jab at the FedEx Cup format, he posted a picture with a funny caption on his Instagram account.
"Signed up for the gross division, forgot to sign up for the net."
Fans in the comments section dubbed it the "caption of the year."
"Goated caption," another fan wrote.
One said that while Scheffler won the tournament, Morikawa won in the "caption division."
"Scottie’s got player of the year but this wins the caption division."
Meanwhile, another fan criticized the FedEx Cup format.
"When you win but don’t win. Dumbest format ever. Well played Colin."
Here are more fans' reactions:
Collin Morikawa talks about the FedEx Cup format
In the post-tournament press conference of the 2024 Tour Championship, a reporter asked Collin Morikawa about the tournament format.
"Is there any pride or silver lining you take by if there weren't the starting strokes you would have won this tournament?"
In response, the two-time Major winner said it was nice, as his "goal for the week" was to top "this kind of fake leaderboard."
"Yeah, it's nice. I knew that was kind of the goal for the week, right, to come out on top on this kind of fake leaderboard and see how things played out. Ultimately Scottie was second or third on that leaderboard, so it didn't really help my case."
"Look, that was the goal. I knew six shots was a lot to catch up, but I know I've made it up before. It was just nice to put together four good rounds throughout a week," Collin Morikawa added.
Morikawa shot four rounds of 66, 63, 67, and 66 to secure second place at the Tour Championship. Sahith Theegala finished in third place, followed by Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, and Russell Henley, who tied for fourth place.
Following the conclusion of the Tour Championship, the PGA Tour golfers will next compete in the FedEx Cup Fall season. There are eight Fall season events, beginning with the Procore Championship, which will take place from September 12 to 15.