On the Outside Looking In: Surprising Names Who Missed the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs

As the FedEx Cup Playoffs get underway this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the field is notably missing several prominent players who entered the season with high expectations. Each PGA Tour season inevitably sees talented players on the wrong side of the playoff bubble, but the notable absences in 2025 feel particularly striking. From established stars who seemingly lost their form overnight to young talents struggling to fulfill their promise, the road to playoff qualification proved especially difficult this year. Here's a closer look at five standout players whose unexpected playoff misses have left them searching for answers as they head into an offseason filled with uncertainty.

Max Homa: Changes Bring More Questions Than Answers

Perhaps the most surprising name absent from this year’s FedEx Cup Playoffs is Max Homa, who began 2025 expected not just to qualify, but to contend deep into the postseason. However, Homa’s season unraveled in a surprising fashion, plagued by both inconsistency and instability on and off the course. Early in the year, Homa made headlines with a significant equipment change, switching club manufacturers in search of a performance boost. While such moves can reinvigorate a career, it seemed to create more confusion than confidence for Homa. Compounding this was his midseason decision to change caddies, disrupting the on-course chemistry that had previously defined his steady rise. Homa’s typically sharp iron play faltered noticeably, and struggles on the greens left him missing crucial weekend opportunities. Now facing an unexpectedly long offseason, Homa must evaluate whether his changes were merely temporary setbacks or part of deeper issues he needs to resolve quickly.

Tom Kim: Third-Year Struggles Signal Concern

Entering his third full season on Tour, Tom Kim seemed primed for a breakout year after showing flashes of exceptional talent during his first two seasons. Instead, he found himself enduring significant struggles in 2025, missing the FedEx Cup Playoffs entirely. Once considered among the Tour’s best young iron players, Kim’s usually reliable approach game regressed sharply, leaving him scrambling to save pars rather than making birdie runs. Confidence issues on the greens further compounded these difficulties, contributing to a lack of high finishes that severely limited his FedEx Cup point accumulation. Kim’s disappointing campaign raises genuine concern about his trajectory: Was 2025 simply a developmental plateau, or are there deeper inconsistencies he must correct? As he heads into the offseason, Kim faces critical decisions about adjustments needed in his game and mental approach if he hopes to return to the playoff picture next year.

Adam Scott: A Veteran Facing Uncertainty

Veteran Adam Scott’s absence from this year’s playoffs might be less shocking than some younger players’, yet it still signals an alarming setback for the former Masters champion. Despite years of steady, world-class performance, Scott struggled to produce consistent results throughout the 2025 season. His typically flawless ball-striking and putting, long his trademark strengths, failed to carry him through crucial moments, resulting in missed cuts and limited FedEx Cup points. While flashes of Scott’s exceptional talent were occasionally visible, his inability to consistently string together strong performances highlighted significant concerns about the state of his game. Missing the playoffs altogether presents a stark reality for Scott, leaving him to consider significant changes if he intends to remain competitive at the sport’s highest level. With an uncertain offseason ahead, the Australian star must quickly determine the path forward to return to PGA Tour relevance.

Sahith Theegala: Losing Momentum in a Crucial Year

Coming into 2025, Sahith Theegala appeared poised for a breakout season, widely considered one of the PGA Tour’s most exciting emerging talents. Instead, his progress stalled significantly, with inconsistent performances and uncharacteristic struggles throughout the year leading to a surprising playoff miss. Known for an aggressive, creative playing style, Theegala too often found himself over-aggressively chasing birdies and paying the price in key moments. His typically solid iron play was inconsistent at best, and putting woes prevented meaningful runs in tournaments. Theegala’s failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities cost him crucial FedEx Cup points, and by season’s end, he found himself well outside the playoff bubble. Now Theegala must reflect deeply on his approach to tournament golf, refining both strategy and execution if he hopes to fulfill his undeniable potential.

Rasmus Hojgaard: Struggles in Critical Moments Prove Costly

Rasmus Hojgaard began 2025 widely expected not only to qualify for the playoffs but to be a genuine contender throughout the postseason. Unfortunately, his campaign failed to meet those lofty expectations, with recurring struggles under pressure limiting his effectiveness at key points during the year. Hojgaard’s aggressive style and impressive length off the tee occasionally created moments of brilliance, yet too often he failed to deliver consistent rounds when needed most. His difficulty performing at important events, including Major Championships and playoff-deciding tournaments late in the season, ultimately doomed his FedEx Cup aspirations. For a young talent of Hojgaard’s stature, missing the playoffs represents a troubling setback. He must now use this extended offseason as an opportunity to address composure and consistency issues in high-stakes environments, essential steps if he’s to fulfill his widely recognized potential.

Final Thoughts

Every PGA Tour season inevitably sees talented players fall short of playoff qualification, yet the prominent names missing in 2025 speak volumes about the fine margins separating success and failure. For Max Homa, changes intended to spark improvement instead yielded confusion and inconsistency. Tom Kim’s regression in his third year on Tour raises legitimate concerns about his path forward. Veteran Adam Scott faces uncertainty about his competitive future, while young stars Sahith Theegala and Rasmus Hojgaard must address troubling inconsistencies. As playoff golf continues without them, each of these players now faces crucial offseason decisions. How they respond will determine whether 2025 proves merely a bump in the road or a turning point in their respective careers.