PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR has approved several changes to TOUR regulations, including two changes to the point system used in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

The two adjustments to the structure of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup are as follows:

1. A narrowing of the gap between players' point totals at the reset going into the Playoffs. For example, the gap between the first- and second-ranked players was 1,000 points at the reset last year. That gap has been reduced to 500 points this year, with similar reductions being made all the way down to 144th place.

2. The number of FedExCup points available at Playoff events has been increased by 2,000 additional points per finish position. For example, a third-place finish was worth 3,400 points in 2007; it is now worth 5,400 points. In essence, players who play well will move up more dramatically than in 2007.

Note: For rounding purposes, the points increases at THE TOUR Championship will differ slightly from the first three Playoff events.

The effect of these two changes will be some improvement in a player's ability to make substantial gains in overall position based on excellent play in the Playoffs, while also increasing the number of players who will have a shot at winning the FedExCup.

If these two changes had been in place for the 2007 Playoffs, for example, the effect would have been to increase from six to 12 the number of players with a mathematical chance of winning the FedExCup. And instead of only four players with a realistic chance of winning, there would have been six.

In addition, the TOUR made an adjustment to its 36-hole cut regulation.

The regulation in place since the beginning of the 2008 season called for the starting field to be reduced after 36 holes to the low 70 professionals, including ties, unless that resulted in weekend field of more than 78 professionals, in which case the field would be reduced to those with scores nearest 70th place.

Under the amended regulation, the starting field will still be reduced to the lowest 70 professionals and ties after 36 holes. However, should the 36-hole cut total more than 78 professionals, there will be a second cut to the lowest 70 professionals plus ties at the conclusion of 54 holes of tournament play.

Players not advancing to the final round of play will receive their appropriate share of the official prize money in accordance with their respective positions. The change is effective immediately, beginning with this week's Honda Classic.