If you’re looking at the FedEx Cup standings today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, you might notice something feels a little off. Usually, by mid-January, we’ve already seen the year’s first Signature Event winners hoisting a trophy in Maui. Not this year.
In a bizarre twist for the 2026 PGA Tour season, the typical season-opener, The Sentry, was completely wiped off the calendar. Drought conditions at Kapalua and logistical hurdles made it impossible to play. So, right now? The points list is a ghost town compared to previous years.
The Current State of the 2026 Leaderboard
Basically, everyone is still sitting on their 2025 carryover momentum because the 2026 season hasn't officially struck a ball yet. The Sony Open in Hawaii kicks things off this Thursday, January 15th.
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Since no official points have been awarded for 2026, the rankings you're seeing on various broadcasts are essentially the final "Frozen" standings from the 2025 FedEx Cup Fall. Scottie Scheffler remains the king of the hill, largely because he’s Scottie Scheffler. He finished 2025 with a staggering 7,456 points. Honestly, that’s almost double what Rory McIlroy (3,687) managed in the runner-up spot.
The Top of the "Frozen" Standings
- Scottie Scheffler: 7,456 pts
- Rory McIlroy: 3,687 pts
- J.J. Spaun: 3,493 pts
- Justin Rose: 3,326 pts
- Tommy Fleetwood: 2,923 pts
Wait—J.J. Spaun at number three? Yeah, that’s not a typo. The 2025 FedEx Cup Fall saw a massive reshuffle where players like Spaun and Justin Rose capitalized on late-season events to rocket up the board. It’s why this week's Sony Open at Waialae is so critical. It’s the first real chance for the rest of the pack to start chipping away at that Scheffler-sized lead.
What’s Weird About the 2026 Points System
The cancellation of The Sentry threw a wrench into the works for players who weren't already in the Top 50. Usually, winning an early event gets you into the Masters and secures your job for two years.
To make up for the lost Signature Event, the PGA Tour has made a special concession. Players who would have qualified for The Sentry—specifically those who won a 2025 tournament but finished outside the Top 50—are being granted entry into the RBC Heritage this coming April.
It’s a bit of a "sorry about that" prize, but it matters. Points are weighted differently in Signature Events. Missing one is like missing a double-XP weekend in a video game. You're just falling behind while everyone else is sprinting.
Who to Watch at the Sony Open
Since the Sony Open is the first event of 2026, whoever wins on Sunday will technically be the leader of the 2026 exclusive points race.
Russell Henley is the betting favorite at +1100. He loves Waialae. It’s a ball-striker’s course, not a bomber’s paradise. You’ve got to hit fairways. If you miss into the Bermuda rough, you’re dead.
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Keep an eye on Ben Griffin and Hideki Matsuyama too. Matsuyama is a former champion here and notoriously thrives in the Hawaii trade winds.
The Roadmap to the 2026 Tour Championship
The path from Honolulu to East Lake is a long one. After Hawaii, the Tour heads to California for the American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open.
The real movement in the FedEx Cup standings today is about to happen fast. Here’s what you need to track:
- The Signature Event Gap: With The Sentry gone, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February becomes the first "Big Money" points grab.
- The Top 50 Bubble: If you aren’t in that Top 50 right now, you’re fighting for your life to get into the high-point events.
- The "Post-Super Bowl" Rumors: There’s talk that by 2027, the season won't even start until after the NFL is done. This January start might be one of the last "classic" Hawaii swings we see for a while.
The math is simple: a win at the Sony Open nets 500 FedEx Cup points. That would immediately vault someone like Collin Morikawa or Jordan Spieth right into the mix behind the "Big Three."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're following the points race, don't just look at the total number. Look at Events Played. Scheffler’s lead is massive, but if he skips a few West Coast events, the door opens.
- Check the Sony Open Leaderboard this Thursday. The first round is the true "Reset" button for the 2026 season.
- Monitor the Aon Next 10. This is the secondary standings list that determines who gets into the Signature Events. If your favorite player is ranked 51-60, they are in the "Danger Zone."
- Watch the Weather in Honolulu. High winds at Waialae favor the veterans (Spieth, Matsuyama) over the young guns who just want to smash drivers.