The 2024 postseason has arrived, and it's time for the PGA Tour to make its anticipated stop at TPC Southwind, marking the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year. The St. Jude Championship serves as the entryway, welcoming the top 70 players from the regular season. However, as fierce as the competition is, the stakes are even higher, with 20 players set to see their season end prematurely, narrowing the roster to just 50 ahead of the BMW Championship.
Those who secure a spot within the top 50 by the end of the week not only advance but also guarantee their participation in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. High-profile contenders teetering on the brink of elimination include Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor, making every shot they take critical.
Spotlight on Viktor Hovland
Currently sitting at No. 57 in the standings, Viktor Hovland has his work cut out for him. Despite a commendable third-place finish at the PGA Championship earlier this year, Hovland's struggles are evident, especially in his approach and around-the-green performance, where he ranks 175th out of 176 players.
Scottie Scheffler's Pursuit of Dominance
On the other end of the spectrum is Scottie Scheffler, who seeks his eighth victory of the year. Scheffler aims to stride into the Tour Championship with a commanding two-stroke lead for the third straight season. Alongside Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, Scheffler has amassed a total of ten PGA Tour victories in 2024.
The Contenders and the Underdogs
Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman are all comfortably nestled within the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. Despite their strong positions, this group astonishingly has zero victories in 2024, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Course Overview and Championship Details
The battleground for these athletes is TPC Southwind, a course known for its challenging layout. Playing to a par of 70 and stretching over 7,243 yards, this venue will test every facet of a player's game. The St. Jude Championship, scheduled from August 15-18, is set to be a high-stakes affair with a lucrative purse of $20 million.
Performance Highlights and Historical Context
Xander Schauffele, one of the standout performers of the year, has showcased remarkable consistency with no finishes outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, Schauffele's only top 20 finish at TPC Southwind dates back to 2020, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his campaign.
Rory McIlroy, another perennial favorite, boasts an impressive record at TPC Southwind with four top-12 finishes in his seven appearances. His T3 finish last year and four top-five results in his last six tournaments underline his formidable form heading into this championship.
Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay's Momentum
Collin Morikawa has also displayed an affinity for TPC Southwind, securing three top 20s in four appearances at this course. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay enters the tournament with momentum, evidenced by his three consecutive top-25 finishes and notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship.
As the 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs commence, the narrative is shaped by a blend of established stars and emerging talents, each vying for progression and the promise of future glory. With every stroke carrying monumental implications, the stage is set for a thrilling athletic contest at TPC Southwind, one that will undoubtedly captivate the golf world.