The 2024 postseason is upon us, with the PGA Tour once again turning its focus to TPC Southwind for the third straight year to kick off the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The St. Jude Championship, taking place from August 15-18, serves as a critical juncture for the top 70 players from the regular season, who are all vying for a spot in the subsequent BMW Championship.
High Stakes at St. Jude
The stakes couldn't be higher. This year, 20 players will see their playoff aspirations end by week's close, narrowing the field to just 50 to advance further. Importantly, finishing within the top 50 secures these players a spot in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season, adding another layer of pressure to an already tense environment.
For some, the pressure is palpable. Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor find themselves teetering on the brink of elimination. Likewise, Viktor Hovland, currently sitting at No. 57 in the standings, has had a rollercoaster season. Despite a commendable third-place finish at the PGA Championship, Hovland ranks 175th out of 176 players in stats on approach and around the green, a worrying statistic as he heads into the high-stakes tournament.
Scheffler Eyes the Prize
On the other end of the spectrum, Scottie Scheffler is having a phenomenal year. Seeking his eighth victory of the season, Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke advantage for the third consecutive year. His consistent performance has placed him in elite company; along with Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, he has accumulated ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
Schauffele, however, has his own narrative to consider. Despite a series of impressive finishes since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with no results outside the top 25, his track record at TPC Southwind leaves much room for improvement. His only top 20 finish at this venue dates back to 2020.
Rory McIlroy: A Picture of Consistency
Rory McIlroy continues to showcase his prowess, boasting four top-12 finishes in his seven visits to TPC Southwind and a T3 finish last year. With four top-five results in his last six tournaments, McIlroy is undeniably in fine form and is one to watch this week.
The Quiet Contenders
Meanwhile, several talents are competing under less spotlight but with substantial stakes on the line. Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman all find themselves within the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. Remarkably, this group has yet to clinch a victory in 2024, underscoring the fierce competition and depth of field this season.
Morikawa, however, has shown steady form at TPC Southwind, securing three top 20s in his four appearances. Cantlay, too, has maintained a reliable performance trajectory, with three consecutive top-25 finishes, including notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
A Course to Conquer
TPC Southwind itself is an illustrious, demanding course that plays to a par of 70 and stretches over 7,243 yards. As the tournament progresses, players will not only battle each other but also the intricacies and challenges posed by this course. Moreover, the lucrative purse of $20 million further sets the stage for a gripping competition.
With so much at stake and only the cream of the crop remaining in contention, the St. Jude Championship promises to deliver high-octane golf drama. As we navigate the early twists and turns of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the players' performances this week will set the tone for the final stretch of the season, defining careers and legacies in the process.