FedEx St. Jude Championship kicks off 2026 FedExCup Playoffs at TPC Southwind
Top 70 golfers begin playoff push in Memphis with Scheffler favored; only top 50 advance to BMW Championship.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 44 items across 3 sources · 2h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
The 2026 FedExCup Playoffs begin this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, with 69 of the top 70 golfers competing at TPC Southwind. Scottie Scheffler enters as the betting favorite despite one win this season, while defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and defending St. Jude winner Justin Rose also headline the field. The top 50 finishers advance to the second leg (BMW Championship), creating a cutline that affects several bubble players.
- The 2026 FedExCup Playoffs begin at FedEx St. Jude Championship with 69 of top 70 golfers competing; only top 50 advance to BMW Championship.
- Scottie Scheffler enters as No. 1 seed and betting favorite despite only one win this season, while defending St. Jude winner Justin Rose seeks to become first player to successfully defend the title since 2007.
- Rory McIlroy returns to the event after missing it last year and enters outside top 10 for first time since 2021; Tommy Fleetwood defends his FedExCup title from last year.
- Playoff bubble features tight standings: Maverick McNealy holds 50th spot just 27 points ahead of Harris English at No. 51, making final positions consequential for advancement.
How it unfolded
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Golf Digest publishes daily fantasy sports picks and PGA Tour highlights sleeper value plays, with multiple models simulating outcomes 10,000 times.
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Golf Digest and other outlets publish power rankings for the event, with some identifying a major champion at 'disrespectful' odds as a must-bet play.
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Multiple outlets publish odds, with Scottie Scheffler opening as favorite. Expert analysis and betting tips appear across GOLF.com, Today's Golfer, Betfair, and other sportsbooks.
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PGA Tour announces the 69-player field for the first leg of the FedExCup Playoffs at TPC Southwind, highlighting key storylines including Rory McIlroy's return after missing the event last year and Scottie Scheffler entering at No. 1 in standings despite only one win this season.
“The top 50 in the standings will advance to the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs after this week, so while everyone is gunning for the trophy, there's still plenty to play for in Memphis.”
PGA Tour · Google News ↗ -
Three ticket types become available for purchase: Grounds+ with general admission and free food/beverages, Michelob Ultra Club with hospitality access, and St. Jude Pavilion with premium all-inclusive experience.
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The PGA Tour publishes scenario guides showing what finishes are needed for players to make the BMW Championship and 2027 Signature Events, with the top 50 in standings advancing from the St. Jude Championship.
What people are saying verbatim
“The top 50 in the standings will advance to the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs after this week, so while everyone is gunning for the trophy, there's still plenty to play for in Memphis.”
PGA Tour, Tournament organizer · PGA Tour ↗
“McIlroy, who won the Masters in April and has four other top-10s so far this season, has not played since The Open Championship.”
PGA Tour, Tournament organizer · PGA Tour ↗ · Aug 9
“Scottie Scheffler, despite also winning just once so far this season, will enter the Playoffs at No. 1 in the standings.”
PGA Tour, Tournament organizer · PGA Tour ↗ · Aug 9
“All the biggest names on Tour are teeing it up this week at TPC Southwind in Memphis, including the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and even Rory McIlroy, who skipped this event last year.”
Yahoo Sports, Sports outlet · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Aug 9
“Since this event became part of the FedExCup Playoffs in 2007, no one has successfully defended their title.”
PGA Tour, Tournament organizer · PGA Tour ↗ · Aug 9
“Jackson Koivun matched Tiger Woods' record for the fewest number of starts (five) to earn a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs.”
PGA Tour, Tournament organizer · PGA Tour ↗ · Aug 9