Afterward, the top 30 will board the plane again to tee off on the first tee at the now legendary East Lake Golf Club to decide, first and foremost, who will lift the Tour Championship trophy and the FedEx trophy,

Simpson's one of several players who has passed on FedEx Cup Playoffs events in the past for more rest. Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are among those who have without penalty.

Rory McIlroy said months ago he might skip the first FedEx Cup playoff event in Memphis this year. Did he follow through? Here's the latest update: