PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The PGA Tour decided to put another cup ahead of its own Tuesday, moving the FedEx Cup finale to the week after the Ryder Cup next year to allow Americans to be fresh as they try to end a decade of losing.

Without switching around the 2008 schedule, some players might have competed four consecutive weeks in the FedEx Cup, then headed straight to Valhalla Golf Club for the Ryder Cup, regarded as one of the most tiring and pressure-packed weeks in golf.

The changes mean there will be a two-week break in the middle of the playoffs, between the BMW Championship in St. Louis and the Tour Championship in Atlanta. And it gives the PGA Tour its first week without golf during the season since 1989.

"If we went back two years and were doing the schedule and TV (negotiations) would we be in this position? No," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Tuesday afternoon. "We made a miscalculation in terms of the tie-in to the Ryder Cup. We should have been smarter. But I think it's a very good compromise for all parties, and to protect what's important here."

The playoffs start Aug. 21 with The Barclays. After three straight tournaments, there be a week off on tour before the Ryder Cup is played Sept. 19-21. The FedEx Cup will conclude the following week with the Tour Championship.

"We are appreciative of the efforts of the PGA Tour, their TV partners and sponsors, to open up a week before the Ryder Cup," PGA chief executive Joe Steranka said.

U.S. captain Paul Azinger figured the change would only help his Ryder Cup team, especially since more Americans than Europeans figure to be involved in the FedEx Cup and the race for a $10 million payoff.

"Their guys could be over at Valhalla for a week while our guys are grinding for a fifth week in a row," Azinger said. "It could help. It's not going to hurt us."