The 2024 postseason is officially underway as the PGA Tour returns to TPC Southwind for the third consecutive year to launch the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The St. Jude Championship, held from August 15-18, is the inaugural event of this intense series, welcoming the top 70 players from the regular season to the prestigious venue.
An Exclusive Field
This year's St. Jude Championship promises heightened excitement as twenty of the elite contenders face the prospect of having their playoff run cut short. Only the top 50 players will advance to the BMW Championship, the next step in the playoffs. A strong finish this week not only keeps hopes alive for the FedEx Cup but also secures players' spots in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season.
Notable names such as Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor are currently teetering on the brink of elimination, making this week’s performance crucial. Viktor Hovland, positioned at No. 57 in the standings, is another player under the spotlight. Despite a commendable third-place finish at this year's PGA Championship, Hovland faces challenges, ranking 175th out of 176 players in stats on approach and around the green.
Star Performers
At the pinnacle of the player rankings, Scottie Scheffler is in pursuit of 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. His form this year has been nothing short of spectacular, with Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy collectively amassing ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
On the other hand, a number of top 20 FedEx Cup standings players—such as Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman—have yet to secure a single victory this season, a point that adds another layer of intrigue to their performances at TPC Southwind.
TPC Southwind: A Challenging Venue
Playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, TPC Southwind offers a challenging terrain for all competitors. The history of player performances at this venue is varied. Xander Schauffele has shown remarkable consistency with no finishes outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, his only top 20 finish at TPC Southwind dates back to 2020.
Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, has a more favorable track record at Southwind, registering four top-12 finishes in seven visits and a T3 finish last year. He has also posted four top-five results in his last six tournaments, underlining his strong form heading into the playoffs.
Collin Morikawa’s previous appearances at TPC Southwind have seen him secure three top 20s in four tries, an encouraging record as he aims for his first win of the season. Similarly, Patrick Cantlay arrives with momentum, boasting three consecutive top-25 finishes and notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
The Stakes and Prizes
The St. Jude Championship comes with high stakes and lucrative rewards, featuring a substantial purse of $20 million. As the players tee off, the pressure to perform is palpable, given the immediate impact on their FedEx Cup Playoff trajectories and their aspirations for the 2025 season.
In this high-stakes environment, every stroke counts. The journey for many will end here, while the fortunate and the proficient will move one step closer to playoff glory. The drama, skill, and intensity that define the PGA Tour are on full display, making the St. Jude Championship a must-watch event for golf fans worldwide.