The onset of the 2024 postseason brings excitement and anticipation as the PGA Tour makes its annual stop at TPC Southwind, marking the third consecutive year for the FedEx Cup Playoffs kickoff here. It's a crucial event, the St. Jude Championship, where the top 70 players from the regular season vie for their spot in the high-stakes run that follows.
The Battle for Survival
This year, the championship will see the competition narrowed dramatically, from 70 to just 50 players, by the end of the week. Those securing a place in the top 50 will be assured participation in every PGA Tour signature event of the 2025 season, raising the stakes to another level. Among the players balancing precariously on the edge are Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor—all teetering on the brink of elimination.
Viktor Hovland, who currently sits at No. 57 in the standings, also finds himself under pressure. Despite a commendable third-place finish at this year’s PGA Championship, Hovland’s stats reveal a struggle, ranking 175th out of 176 in approach shots and play around the green. His performance this week will be pivotal.
Stars and Contenders
Leading the pack is Scottie Scheffler, who's had an extraordinary year, seeking his eighth victory in 2024. Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead for the third consecutive season. Along with Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, Scheffler has been a dominant force, and these three players alone have collectively amassed ten PGA Tour victories this year.
However, even the highest-ranked players face challenges. As for Schauffele, despite his consistent performance with no finishes outside the top 25 since February’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his history at TPC Southwind shows just one top 20 finish, and that dates back to 2020.
Rory McIlroy, another star of the season, has a solid record at TPC Southwind with four top-12 finishes in his seven appearances, including a T3 finish last year. With four top-five results in his last six tournaments, the Northern Irishman is aiming to maintain his momentum.
Notable Performances and Standouts
Elsewhere in the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings, players like Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman are yet to secure victories in 2024, but their consistency keeps them in contention. Morikawa, for instance, has three top 20 finishes in four appearances at TPC Southwind, while Cantlay boasts three consecutive top-25 finishes and notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
TPC Southwind, playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, will host the St. Jude Championship from August 15-18. With a purse of $20 million on the line, the stakes have never been higher. The challenge is not just about making par but also navigating the mental and physical demands of the playoff pressure.
As the tournament progresses, the narratives of triumph and heartache will unfold, and only the top 50 will advance, setting the stage for the next showdown at the BMW Championship. In this intense environment, every stroke counts, and for many, their performance at TPC Southwind will define their season.