Everything that’s happened this season has led to this. The top 125 players in the FedEx Cup standings (although only 121 are in the field) battling it out in Memphis, Tennessee, at TPC Southwind for the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 2 Cameron Smith and No. 3 Rory McIlroy all make their return to the PGA Tour after a three-week layoff recuperating from the year’s final major championship, the 150th Open.
Although, it seems this might be one of the last events we see Smith on the PGA Tour.
The 2021 winner at TPC Southwind, Abraham Ancer, is not teeing it up due to his affiliation with the LIV Golf Series. Rickie Fowler, the last man in the field, and his longtime caddie have parted ways.
FedEx St. Jude Championship: PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ | Tee times
Golf course
TPC Southwind | 7,243 yards | Par 70
Key statistics
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, 2. Sea Island GC, 3. Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club
Trending: 1. Rory McIlroy (last three starts: T-5, T-19, 3), 2. Tony Finau (T-28, 1, 1), 3. Xander Schauffele (1, 1, T-15)
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Rory McIlroy (7.6 percent), 2. Scottie Scheffler (6.4 percent), 3. Patrick Cantlay (4.9 percent)
Betting preview
Odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Rory McIlroy | (+900) | Shane Lowry | (+3000) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+1300) | Jordan Spieth | (+3000) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1500) | Viktor Hovland | (+3000) |
| Cameron Smith | (+1500) | Sungjae Im | (+3000) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+1500) | Sam Burns | (+3000) |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | (+1500) | Collin Morikawa | (+3000) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+1500) | Cameron Young | (+3000) |
| Tony Finau | (+2000) | Billy Horschel | (+4000) |
| Jon Rahm | (+2000) | Hideki Matsuyama | (+4000) |
| Will Zalatoris | (+2000) | Tom Kim | (+4000) |
Rory McIlroy
We haven’t seen Rors in a bit. His last start came at the Open (T-3) and he enters the week sixth in the FEC standings. He’s been a ball-striking machine for months, ranking second of the players in this field over the last 24 rounds.
Last three finishes at TPC Southwind: T-12, T-47, T-4
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 15th
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking: 9th
Bets to consider: Outright (+900), Top GB + Ireland (+180)
Will Zalatoris
Yes, I bet on Willy Z every week. Yes, I have too much invested in him to turn back now. Yes, I’m back on him this week in Memphis.
He’s made one start at TPC Southwind, a tie for eighth last season. Since missing the weekend at the Scottish Open, he’s finished T-28, T-20 and T-21 in three starts.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 1st
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking: T-29
Bets to consider: Outright (+2000), Top 20 (+140)
Cameron Young
Like Zalatoris, I have way too much invested in Cameron Young to turn back now. So, let’s do it again.
He’s coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic. He’ll be making his first start at TPC Southwind.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 100th
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking: T-81
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (+150)
Jason Day
Jason Day, really, Riley? Yup, and here’s why.
He had a great week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, tying for 17th. He then got off to a quick start in Greensboro last week at the Wyndham with a first-round 67 but had to withdraw prior to the second round due to illness.
Day looks like he finally trusts the swing changes he’s been making and seems comfortable on the course again. The last time he teed it up at TPC Southwind, he tied for sixth.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 156th
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking: 107th
Bets to consider: Top 20 (+380)
Jordan Spieth
Like the three best players in the world, we haven’t seen Spieth since the Open (T-8). If he can make some putts, he’ll be right there.
Last three finishes at TPC Southwind: T-12, T-30, T-12
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 34th
- Strokes Gained: Ball-striking: T-67
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (+150)
