The 2024 postseason is upon us as the PGA Tour embarks on its annual journey to TPC Southwind, igniting the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year.
This year’s St. Jude Championship will showcase the top 70 players from the regular season, a roster that includes both established champions and rising stars. However, not all will progress as 20 elite golfers will have their journeys truncated, narrowing the field to just 50 ahead of the BMW Championship.
High Stakes and High Rewards
A spot within the top 50 by the end of the week is golden, securing players’ places in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. Among those wrestling with the pressure are Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor, all of whom are teetering on the brink of elimination. Viktor Hovland, meanwhile, sits at No. 57 in the standings, hoping to avoid the cut. Despite securing a third-place finish at the PGA Championship this year, Hovland's overall performance has been inconsistent, shown by his ranking of 175th out of 176 players in approach and around the green statistics.
Scottie Scheffler’s Dominant Year
Scottie Scheffler emerges as a formidable figure in this season's competition. Already seeking his eighth victory of the year, Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead for the third straight season. This would prove a fitting conclusion to a year in which Scheffler, along with Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, has amassed ten PGA Tour victories.
Top Players Seeking Their First Wins in 2024
Interestingly, several top-20 players in the FedEx Cup standings have yet to taste victory this year. Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman have all performed consistently, securing their places inside the top 20 without capturing a single tournament win in 2024.
The Challenges of TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind, playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, is a course that demands precision and consistency. The St. Jude Championship, scheduled from August 15-18, carries an eye-watering purse of $20 million. In light of such stakes, Scheffler, Schauffele, and McIlroy will be sharpening their focus.
Players to Watch
McIlroy’s form will be under close scrutiny. The Northern Irishman has four top-12 finishes in seven trips to TPC Southwind, including a T3 finish last year. With four top-five results in his last six tournaments, he is undoubtedly a contender.
Schauffele, too, will be a player to watch. Since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he has not finished outside the top 25. However, his history at TPC Southwind is modest, with only one top-20 finish dating back to 2020. Collin Morikawa has shown commendable consistency at TPC Southwind, securing three top 20s in four appearances.
Patrick Cantlay’s form is another narrative to follow. With three consecutive top-25 finishes and notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, Cantlay is in prime form to make a statement.
As the St. Jude Championship unfolds, the golf world will be watching closely to see which players rise to the occasion and who will secure their spots in what promises to be an electrifying 2025 PGA Tour season.