The 2024 postseason has arrived as the prestigious PGA Tour kicks off the FedEx Cup Playoffs at TPC Southwind for the third consecutive year. The fiercely competitive St. Jude Championship plays host to the top 70 players from the regular season, all vying for a chance to secure their position in the upcoming BMW Championship and further into the PGA Tour's signature events in 2025.
The Battle for Survival
As the players tee off at TPC Southwind, the stakes are exceptionally high. Only the top 50 will advance past this stage. Notable golfers like Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor are on the cusp of elimination, making every shot critical. Viktor Hovland finds himself in a precarious spot as well, sitting at No. 57 in the standings.
Hovland, who had an impressive third-place finish at the PGA Championship this year, faces additional pressure due to his current ranking of 175th out of 176 players in stats on approach and around the green. His performance at TPC Southwind could be pivotal in turning his season around.
The Dominant Contenders
As Scottie Scheffler seeks his eighth victory of the year, he aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead, a feat he has accomplished for the past two seasons. Scheffler, along with Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, has amassed ten PGA Tour victories in 2024, underscoring their dominance on the tour.
However, this year has been a challenging one for several top players. Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman, despite being inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings, have yet to notch a single victory in 2024. Their quest for redemption might just find its turning point at TPC Southwind.
The Historical Context
TPC Southwind, a par-70 course stretching 7,243 yards, will challenge the players over four days from August 15-18. With a substantial purse of $20 million on the line, the intensity of the competition is set to be electrifying. For some like Schauffele, this course holds a mix of fond and less rosy memories. Since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Schauffele hasn’t finished outside the top 25. However, his only top-20 finish at TPC Southwind dates back to 2020.
Conversely, Rory McIlroy has a more favorable history with the course, boasting four top-12 finishes in seven trips and a T3 finish last year. McIlroy has been in stellar form recently, recording four top-five results in his last six tournaments. This history and current performance metrics make him a player to watch closely.
Collin Morikawa adds to the intrigue with three top-20s in four appearances at TPC Southwind, suggesting a strong affinity for the course. Similarly, Patrick Cantlay's three consecutive top-25 finishes, including notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, illustrate his consistent presence among the top contenders.
Anticipating High Stakes
The narrative of the St. Jude Championship is enriched by the high stakes and the blend of emerging talents and seasoned veterans. As the tournament unfolds, each round will sharpen the competitive edge, and each swing could tip the scales for players on the brink of securing their PGA Tour futures for 2025. This year's championship promises not only a generous reward but also critical positioning for the seasons ahead, making every moment at TPC Southwind one to savor for players and fans alike.