The 2024 PGA Tour postseason is underway as the top players gather at TPC Southwind to compete in the St. Jude Championship, marking the beginning of the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year. This prestigious event invites the top 70 players from the regular season, but only 50 will advance to the BMW Championship, making these four days crucial for many players.
High Stakes at TPC Southwind
The stakes are exceptionally high, with a coveted spot in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season on the line for those who finish inside the top 50 by week's end. Five players—Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor—are teetering on the brink of elimination, adding drama to the competition.
Viktor Hovland, who currently stands at No. 57 in the standings, faces a significant challenge. Despite his third-place finish at the PGA Championship earlier this year, Hovland's approach and around-the-green stats rank him 175th out of 176 players, presenting a formidable hurdle.
Scottie Scheffler in Pursuit of Dominance
Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament seeking his eighth victory of the year, aiming to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead for the third straight season. Alongside Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, Scheffler has amassed ten PGA Tour victories in 2024. These achievements showcase the formidable level of competition in this year's tour.
Meanwhile, notable players like Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman are all currently inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. Yet, surprisingly, none of them have secured a victory this year, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Key Performances and Potential Outcomes
TPC Southwind, with its par of 70 and spanning 7,243 yards, sets the stage for an exciting contest. The championship, scheduled from August 15-18, carries a lucrative purse of $20 million, adding further incentive for players to deliver their best performances.
Xander Schauffele's consistent form is evident, with no finishes outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, his performance at TPC Southwind has been less impressive, with his only top 20 finish dating back to 2020.
Rory McIlroy’s record at TPC Southwind tells a different story. With four top-12 finishes in seven trips, including a T3 finish last year, McIlroy has demonstrated a strong affinity for the course. Recently, he has also secured four top-five results in his last six tournaments, solidifying his status as a top contender.
Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay also bring noteworthy credentials. Morikawa has three top 20s in his four appearances at TPC Southwind, while Cantlay boasts three consecutive top-25 finishes, with significant performances at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
As the St. Jude Championship unfolds, all eyes will be on these elite players, observing who will rise to the occasion and secure their position for the remainder of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. With so much at stake and an array of talent on display, this tournament promises to deliver compelling golf and memorable moments for fans and players alike.