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. Hosting the prestigious St. Jude Championship, the course will welcome the top 70 players from the regular season, intensifying the competition as they vie for crucial positions in the standings.
This year's tournament comes with stakes higher than ever. By the end of the week, the field will be trimmed down by 20 players, leaving only the top 50 contenders to move forward to the BMW Championship. Finishing inside the top 50 not only extends their playoff journey but also guarantees their participation in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. The pressure is palpable for players such as Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor, who find themselves precariously close to elimination. Viktor Hovland, currently at No. 57 in the standings, faces a similarly daunting challenge.
Despite a commendable third-place finish at this year's PGA Championship, Hovland's statistics on approach and around the green are troubling; he ranks 175th out of 176 players. This inconsistency could jeopardize his playoff aspirations. On the other hand, Scottie Scheffler aims to continue his stellar season. Seeking his eighth victory of the year, Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead, a feat he aims to achieve for the third straight season. Alongside Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy have also enjoyed outstanding seasons, collectively amassing ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
While Scheffler, Schauffele, and McIlroy continue to shine, another group of talented golfers, including Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman, all sit comfortably inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. Despite their high rankings, this group has yet to secure any victories in 2024, which adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing playoffs.
Course and Conditions
TPC Southwind presents its own set of challenges, playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards. Known for its tough layout, the course will certainly test the mettle of the 70 players. Scheduled from August 15-18, the St. Jude Championship not only promises high drama but also offers a lucrative purse of $20 million, which adds an extra incentive for these top competitors.
Player Profiles and Predictions
Xander Schauffele has shown remarkable consistency this season, with no finishes outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, TPC Southwind hasn't always been kind to him; his only top 20 finish at this course dates back to 2020. Rory McIlroy, another top contender, has a more favorable history at TPC Southwind. With four top-12 finishes in seven trips and a T3 finish last year, McIlroy is riding a wave of momentum, having achieved four top-five results in his last six tournaments. This consistent form makes him a formidable opponent this week.
Collin Morikawa adds another layer of excitement to the mix. With three top 20s in four appearances at TPC Southwind, he has demonstrated a strong affinity for this course. Similarly, Patrick Cantlay has been solid, securing three consecutive top-25 finishes, including notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
The stage is set for an electrifying week at TPC Southwind. As the top players vie for supremacy, the narrowing down to the top 50 will only intensify the fierce competition. With the lucrative purse and the opportunity to secure spots for the 2025 season, every stroke will count, and every putt will be scrutinized.