The 2024 postseason is finally here as the PGA Tour makes its annual pilgrimage to TPC Southwind to ignite the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year. The St. Jude Championship welcomes the top 70 players from the regular season, and this year promises to be as intense and riveting as ever.
The tournament, scheduled from August 15-18, will whittle the field down to the top 50 players who will advance to the BMW Championship. Finishing inside the top 50 by week's end secures players' spots in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. With a lucrative purse of $20 million up for grabs, the stakes have never been higher.
Players on the Brink
Among those teetering on the edge of elimination are golf luminaries Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor. Viktor Hovland, however, faces a particularly uphill battle. Currently ranked No. 57 in the standings, Hovland will need to deliver a stellar performance to avoid an early exit. Despite a commendable third-place finish at the PGA Championship this year, his approach and around-the-green stats rank him 175th out of 176 players, a concerning sign as the competition heats up.
The Dominance of Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler continues to be a force to be reckoned with this season. With seven victories already under his belt, Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead for the third straight season. It's been a standout year for him, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy, who have collectively amassed ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
Top Contenders Without Wins
Interestingly, a group of top players including Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman, currently inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings, are all winless this year. Their consistent performance throughout the season has kept them in contention, but a victory at TPC Southwind could prove crucial.
Course and Conditions
TPC Southwind is known for its challenging layout. Playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, the course will undoubtedly test even the most seasoned professionals. Players will need to bring their A-game if they hope to advance, and the history books reveal mixed results for some big names.
Mixed Results at TPC Southwind
Xander Schauffele has had a consistent run since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, without any finishes outside the top 25. However, his history at TPC Southwind tells a different story, with only one top 20 finish dating back to 2020. Conversely, Rory McIlroy boasts four top-12 finishes in seven trips to this course, including a T3 finish last year, and has four top-five results in his last six tournaments. McIlroy seems poised for another strong showing.
Collin Morikawa, another top name, has secured three top 20s in four appearances at TPC Southwind. Patrick Cantlay, who has maintained his form with three consecutive top-25 finishes, adds notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship to his résumé.
As the first event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating series of competitions. The pressure is on for those aiming to keep their 2025 season hopes alive, while the top contenders will be looking to cement their dominance. With so much at stake, golf fans around the world are in for a treat.