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 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.

In an effort to reduce his overall workload on the season, Masters champion Rory McIlroy decided not to play in this week's St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. As such, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs will run with 69 of the top 70 players in the world -- McIlroy the lone missing piece from the start of the three-week postseason.