FedEx St. Jude Championship Preview

The FedEx Cup Playoff Series starts this weekend in Memphis and 69 of the world’s best players will compete in the FedEx St Jude Championship. The event, which starts on Thursday at TPC Southwind, will be available to watch on Sky Sports Golf and SkySports+. Players this week will expect a stern challenge at the par 70 course, which measures at 7,243 yards. In 2014, major works saw 125 trees added and 15 new bunkers, meaning players have to navigate 96 sand traps in total. TPC Southwind is also known for its water challenges, with water in play on 10 holes at the course, which was designed by Ron Prichard.

Before a ball has been hit this week, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will miss the event before returning to the BMW Championship. The top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings have qualified for Thursday’s opening round, but a field of 69 will take to the course after McIlroy’s withdrawal. World number one Scottie Scheffler returns this weekend for the first time since winning the Open Championship, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama comes into the event as the defending champion. Since the tournament became the first event for the FedEx Cup Playoff Series in 2007, only Dustin Johnson (3) and Patrick Reed (2) have won the event more than once.

Tip 1: Xander Schauffele to win and each-way @ 16/1 with bet365

World number three Xander Schauffele has not won since his Open Championship success in 2024, but the American has struggled with injuries. Schauffele has done well in the majors this season when the pressure is on and the same can be said this week. The 31-year-old finished tied-second at this tournament in 2024 and he has finished in the top-30 in all four majors this season.

On his recent visit to the United Kingdom, Schauffele recorded two top-10 finishes and his game looks to be in a great place at a tournament where he has finished in the top six twice since 2020.

Tip 2: Matt Fitzpatrick to win and each-way @ 22/1 with bet365

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is a big fan of the FedEx Cup St Jude Championship and he has recorded three top-10 finishes since 2019. Fitzpatrick has finished inside the top 10 in his last four efforts on the tour and he has found his groove in recent months. 

The Sheffield golfer has not finished outside the top 40 since the Valero Texas Open at the start of April, and he needs a big week as he currently sits outside the world’s top 30 ahead of the cut-off for the Tour Championship. He loves the course and is playing well and he also has to impress Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. Expect a big week from the 2022 US Open champion.

Tip 3: Russell Henley to win and each-way @ 25/1 with bet365

Russell Henley has enjoyed a big year on the PGA Tour and he has already won this season, picking up the trophy at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. Henley is now up to fifth in the world rankings and he has fine-tuned his schedule to suit and it is paying off. While others have continued to play every week, Henley has been selective with his appearances, but he has secured four successive top-10 finishes in seven weeks. 

Players need to be accurate to succeed around TPC Southwind, and Henley is at the top of the charts on the PGA Tour from approaches from 75 to 100 yards. He finished sixth at the tournament in 2023 and his recent form suggests he should be able to give punters a run for their money.