The 2024 postseason is upon us, and the PGA Tour’s spotlight now shifts to the hallowed grounds of TPC Southwind, where the FedEx Cup Playoffs ignite for the third consecutive year. This storied Memphis course is set to host the St. Jude Championship, welcoming the top 70 players from the regular season in a high-stakes contest that will trim the field down to 50 ahead of the BMW Championship.
The St. Jude Championship is not just another event on the calendar—it’s a pivotal battleground for players aiming to secure their spots in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. The tension is palpable for those teetering on the edge of elimination, including notable names such as Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor. Viktor Hovland, currently at No. 57 in the standings, also faces a critical challenge to propel himself into the top 50. Despite a commendable third-place finish at the PGA Championship earlier this year, Hovland’s ranking of 175th out of 176 players in approach and around-the-green stats underscores the uphill battle he faces.
Amidst the high drama, Scottie Scheffler stands as a formidable force, seeking his eighth win of the season. Scheffler aims to stride confidently into the Tour Championship, eyeing a two-stroke lead for the third consecutive season. His remarkable performance this year, alongside Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, who combined have amassed ten PGA Tour victories in 2024, sets a high benchmark for their peers.
A closer look at the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings reveals a mix of stellar talents, with Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman all making their presence felt. Notably, this elite group has yet to clinch a victory in 2024, an anomaly they will strive to rectify in Memphis.
Player Performance and Course Insights
TPC Southwind, playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, offers a challenging stage for this year’s St. Jude Championship, scheduled from August 15-18. With a lucrative purse of $20 million, the stakes are higher than ever.
Xander Schauffele heads to TPC Southwind with an unwavering consistency, boasting no finishes outside the top 25 since February’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, his only top 20 finish at this course dates back to 2020, adding an intriguing layer to his journey this week.
Rory McIlroy’s record at TPC Southwind is equally compelling. With four top-12 finishes in seven trips, including a T3 finish last year, McIlroy has demonstrated a knack for navigating this complex layout. His recent form—four top-five results in his last six tournaments—places him among the favorites to watch.
Collin Morikawa, too, brings a solid track record to Memphis, having secured three top 20s in four appearances at TPC Southwind. Likewise, Patrick Cantlay’s three consecutive top-25 finishes, including notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, reinforce his status as a key contender.
The Road Ahead
As the championship unfolds, the pressure mounts for those on the brink. Each stroke, each putt carries the weight of a season’s worth of aspirations. The battle at TPC Southwind is not just about winning a tournament; it’s about securing a future in the upper echelons of the PGA Tour.
Eyes will be on players like Hovland, Spieth, and Scheffler as they navigate this critical juncture. The 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs promise a blend of skill, strategy, and unyielding determination, with TPC Southwind serving as the proving ground. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the drama is just beginning.