First Round of the Playoffs at the FedEX St. Judge Championship
The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first of three events in the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs. It tees off from August 6-10 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. This no-cut event features the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings. They are battling for a $20 million purse. The goal is a coveted top-50 spot to advance to the BMW Championship. With world-class talent and high stakes, the tournament promises intense competition as players vie for the FedExCup title. This tournament will have only 69 players with Rory McIlroy electing not to play.
FedExCup Playoffs Explained
The FedExCup Playoffs consist of three tournaments: the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the BMW Championship, and the TOUR Championship. The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings after the regular season qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The field narrows to 50 for the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club. Only the top 30 advance to the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. It is here where the FedExCup champion is crowned.
The 2025 TOUR Championship differs from previous years. It is a 72-hole stroke-play event where all players start at even par. This change makes every playoff event critical. The winner of the FedEx St. Jude Championship earns 2,000 FedExCup points, quadruple the points of regular-season events, amplifying the stakes.
Course Description: TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind is a par-70 layout stretching 7,288 yards. It is a Ron Prichard design established in 1988. Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller provided input. The course features numerous water hazards, including lakes, streams, and ponds, demanding precision from tee to green. In 2024, TPC Southwind underwent a major renovation. The renovation included a full conversion to Zeon zoysiagrass fairways. It also involved recontoured fairways and rebuilt greens with TifEagle Bermudagrass.
These greens, averaging 4,500 square feet, now feature new undulations and expanded pin locations, with a Stimpmeter speed of 12.5 feet. The course’s 10 holes between 400-500 yards emphasize mid-iron approach play, with 47.9% of approach shots coming from 150-200 yards. The penal Bermuda rough (three inches) and firm, fast conditions reward ball-striking and scrambling ability. Notable holes include the island par-3 11th and the par-5 third, both with new pin options.
Tournament History
The FedEx St. Jude Championship has a rich history. It evolved from the Memphis Open in 1960. It reached its current status as a playoff event in 2022. Past iterations include the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational (2019-2021), the St. Jude Classic, and earlier events like the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic. Legendary winners include Tommy Bolt (1960), Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, and Greg Norman. Recent champions include Hideki Matsuyama (2024). He won at 17-under. Earlier winners include Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas.
The tournament has been a PGA Tour staple at TPC Southwind since 1989. Winning scores typically range from 13-under to 17-under. This has been the norm since it became a playoff event.
How to Watch
The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship will be broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC. Coverage includes:
- Wednesday, August 6: Pro-Am coverage on Golf Channel.
- Thursday, August 7: First round, Golf Channel, 2:00-6:00 PM EDT.
- Friday, August 8: Second round, Golf Channel, 2:00-6:00 PM EDT.
- Saturday, August 9: Third round, Golf Channel (1:00-3:00 PM EDT), NBC (3:00-6:00 PM EDT).
- Sunday, August 10: Final round, Golf Channel (1:00-3:00 PM EDT), NBC (3:00-6:00 PM EDT).
Live streaming is available via PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. Fans can also follow via the PGA Tour app or website. Tickets start at $30 for Wednesday’s Pro-Am and $62 for competition rounds. These are available through Ticketmaster. There are premium options like the Michelob ULTRA Club.
Updated Odds to Win FedEX St. Jude Championship
Odds are sourced from MyBookie:
- Scottie Scheffler: +3255
- Xander Schauffele: +1500
- Justin Thomas: +2100
- Tommy Fleetwood: +2000
- Hideki Matsuyama: +3000
- Viktor Hovland: +2700
- Russell Henley: +2400
- Aaron Rai: +3500
- Sam Burns: +3200
- Daniel Berger: +4500
*** Full Field Odds are at the end of the article
Favorites to Win
- Scottie Scheffler (+300): The world No. 1 and FedExCup leader is the prohibitive favorite. Scheffler’s 2025 season includes four wins. He has eight top-five finishes. He also has 13 top-10s in 16 starts, despite a delayed start due to a Christmas injury. He has dominance in majors, including wins at The Open and PGA Championship. Signature events highlight his prowess, with three top-six finishes. These achievements make him a perfect fit for TPC Southwind’s demanding layout. Scheffler’s elite ball-striking and ability to handle high-stakes events give him an edge, especially with McIlroy’s absence.
- Xander Schauffele (+1500): No. 3 in the FedExCup standings. Schauffele’s two major wins in 2024 make him a top contender. His strong course history as runner-up in 2024 supports this. His tee-to-green consistency suits TPC Southwind’s water-laden design, though his No. 42 FedExCup ranking adds pressure to secure a top-50 spot.
- Justin Thomas (+2100): A past champion (2020) with four top-30 finishes at TPC Southwind, Thomas’s ball-striking prowess aligns with the course’s demands. His 2025 season includes one win and seven top-10s, and his experience in big events makes him a threat.
Longshots to Watch
- Sam Burns (+3200): Burns is enjoying a career year with 10 top-25 finishes, including a T5 at last year’s FedEx St. Jude Championship. He is third-ranked in strokes gained putting on the PGA Tour. This complements TPC Southwind’s fast Bermuda greens. These factors make him a sneaky pick to contend.
- Daniel Berger (+4500): A two-time winner at TPC Southwind (2016-17), Berger has a stellar course history, including a second-place finish in 2020. His recent form includes a third-place showing at the course, and his accuracy off the tee suits the tight fairways.
- Aaron Rai (+3500): Second on TOUR in driving accuracy, Rai’s precision is ideal for TPC Southwind’s penal layout. His recent top-10 at the Wyndham Championship highlights his strong ball-striking abilities. He is a value pick for a top-10 finish or better.
Why They Could Win
Scheffler’s unmatched consistency is notable. His ability to perform under pressure makes him the player to beat. This is especially true on a course favoring his tee-to-green dominance. Schauffele’s major pedigree and course familiarity position him for a strong run, particularly if he capitalizes on the new greens. Thomas’s history at TPC Southwind and recent form suggest he could reclaim past glory.
Among longshots, Burns is known for his putting prowess. Berger has course mastery. Rai possesses accuracy. These skills could lead to surprising finishes. This is especially likely in a field thinned by McIlroy’s absence.
Conclusion
The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship sets the stage for an electrifying playoff start. TPC Southwind’s revamped layout will test the field’s precision and resilience, with Scheffler leading a stacked field. Longshots like Burns, Berger, and Rai offer intriguing value, while the playoff format ensures every shot counts. Fans can catch the action on Golf Channel or NBC. They can also attend in person as Memphis hosts another chapter in this storied event.
Odds to Win the 2025 PGA Tour FedEX St. Jude Championship
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