Rahm doesn't think FedEx Cup format is fair

Despite being a front-runner to win the PGA TOUR's FedEx Cup, World No. 1 Jon Rahm isn't a fan of its format.

"I don't think it's fair," Rahm said after Friday's round at The Northern Trust, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.

The 2021 season is the third since the format change. It was designed to have a single winner for the playoffs and the Tour Championship, perennially the last tournament on the schedule. In years past, players could win the FedEx Cup even with a poor showing at the final event.

Now, the player with the most points starts the Tour Championship at 10-under, a two-stroke advantage over second. The scores progressively get closer to even-par toward the bottom of the 30-man field.

"I don't like that at all," Rahm said. "No. I think you have the playoffs itself, and if you win the first two and if you don't play good in the last one ... you can end up with a really bad finish."

"I understand it's for TV purposes and excitement and just making it more of a winner-take-all, and they give you a two-shot advantage, but over four days that can be gone in two holes. I don't know what system is best," he added. "I do like going to East Lake with this new one in the sense of knowing where you stand and what you have to do. In years prior, there were so many different combinations of what could happen. It was hard to get your head focused on one thing. But I don't think it's a fair system in that sense now, but it's the one we have and it's what we've got to deal with."

Rahm entered The Northern Trust ranked fifth in FedEx Cup points. If he wins at Liberty National - he holds a one-stroke lead after 36 holes - he'll vault into the top spot.