The PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs begin on Aug. 7 with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at the TPC Southwind in Memphis. Except No. 2 Rory McIlroy, all of the players among the top 70 on the points list are present and ready to go. Cameron Young's victory last week in the Wyndham Championship capped the regular season.

When Golf Digest wrote about the inception of the FedEx Cup Playoffs in 2007, we raised a point that's still relevant today: Does a big cash prize provide enough incentive to compete?

The FedExCup Playoffs are getting started in Memphis, but Rory McIlroy is taking the week off. While that’s not something that’s going to impact his postseason status whatsoever — McIlroy is entering the playoffs firmly in second in the standings,