Top seed usually doesn’t pay off in FedEx Cup

Hideki Matsuyama is the fifth player in the last five years to be the No. 1 seed going into the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Only one of those players, Jordan Spieth in 2015, has gone on to capture the FedEx Cup. In fact, Tiger Woods is the only other No. 1 seed to win the $10 million prize, in 2007 and in 2009. Woods failed to win as the No. 1 seed in 2013. Then again, it helps to start with a high seed. Only two players have won the FedEx Cup when starting the playoffs outside the top 20 — Billy Horschel (No. 69) in 2014, and Rory McIlroy (No. 36) last year. In both cases, each won a playoff event and the Tour Championship.

New PGA Tour cellphone policy

The PGA Tour announced Tuesday that, effective immediately, fans will be able to use their mobile devices to snap pictures and shoot video at all times during tour events. Previously, that was restricted to practice rounds, although mobile devices could be used for texting and other functions.

“The Waste Management Phoenix Open shares the PGA Tour’s goal in finding new ways to enhance the overall fan experience and they knocked it out of the park with this new fan-friendly cell phone policy,” Carlos Sugich, 2018 tournament chairman, said in a statement announcing the new policy. “We have the greatest fans in golf and I know they will be excited to be able to capture all of the great moments during ‘The People’s Open.’ ”

Playoff start

Dominic Bozzelli’s rookie season is over, and he accomplished at least one goal. He made it to the FedEx Cup playoffs, even if he won’t be playing in them. Bozzelli was in contention late on a Sunday twice this year, at the CareerBuilder Challenge (fifth place) and the Valspar Championship (tied for third).

But he had a recurring shoulder injury and has decided to withdraw from The Northern Trust, which starts Thursday in Old Westbury, N.Y. Bozzelli finished at No. 115 in the FedEx Cup. His doctor has recommended he sit out the playoffs to let the shoulder heal instead of facing full surgery after the season.

Also sitting out is Scott Piercy, who hasn’t played since the Travelers and had hoped to return at The Northern Trust. He is at No. 85 with no guarantee of staying in the top 100 to advance to the TPC Boston next week. A year ago, Chad Campbell was at No. 85, missed the cut in the opening event and dropped to No. 100.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia (No. 22) won’t start the playoffs until next week.

Brandt Snedeker (No. 64) and Adam Scott (No. 66) also are not playing.