The anticipation for the 2024 postseason is palpable as the PGA Tour commences its annual pilgrimage to TPC Southwind. This revered venue will once again host the FedEx Cup Playoffs, igniting the St. Jude Championship for the third successive year. The tournament showcases the top 70 players from the regular season, but only the top 50 will continue their journey to the BMW Championship.
Maintaining a position inside the top 50 by the end of the week is not just a badge of honor but a golden ticket. It ensures a player’s place in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. This threshold places immense pressure on the competitors, as 20 players will find their ambitions curtailed in Memphis.
Key Contenders and Risk Zones
A clutch of notable players finds themselves teetering on the cusp of elimination. Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor are all walking a tightrope. One misstep and their playoff aspirations could evaporate. Viktor Hovland, ranked 57th, adds to the intriguing mix. Hovland has had a solid season, including a commendable third-place finish at this year's PGA Championship, but his approach and around-the-green stats leave much to be desired, as he ranks a dismal 175th out of 176 players. His performance this week will be critical.
Chasing Greatness
Scottie Scheffler's pursuit of his eighth victory of the year is nothing short of extraordinary. Scheffler aims to enter the Tour Championship with a formidable two-stroke lead for the third consecutive season, a testament to his consistent excellence. Alongside Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy have also enjoyed prosperous seasons, collectively securing ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
However, certain big names, including Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman, have yet to secure a victory this year despite being inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. The stakes are higher than ever, and performances at TPC Southwind could either redeem their seasons or underscore a year of near misses.
The Course and Event
TPC Southwind, playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, promises to be a stern examination of skill and mental fortitude. The St. Jude Championship runs from August 15-18 and boasts a lucrative purse of $20 million, adding a financial incentive to the competitive intrigue.
Performances under the Microscope
Xander Schauffele enters the week in excellent form, with no finishes outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, his track record at TPC Southwind is less stellar, with his only top 20 finish dating back to 2020. Rory McIlroy, conversely, has a more consistent history at this venue, with four top-12 finishes in seven visits and a T3 finish last year. McIlroy’s recent form is also impressive, securing four top-five results in his last six tournaments.
Collin Morikawa's record at TPC Southwind is solid, with three top 20s in four appearances, while Patrick Cantlay brings three consecutive top-25 finishes into the tournament, including notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship. Their performances will be closely watched as they seek to convert steady starts into triumphant finishes.
As the 2024 postseason unfolds at TPC Southwind, the drama, excitement, and high stakes of the FedEx Cup Playoffs promise to captivate fans and test the mettle of golf’s finest athletes. The battle lines are drawn, the contenders are primed, and the journey to victory begins now.