The 2024 postseason has finally arrived, and the PGA Tour is set for another thrilling edition of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at TPC Southwind, a course of 7,243 yards that plays to a par of 70. This prestigious event, marking the third consecutive year at TPC Southwind, kicks off with the St. Jude Championship, scheduled from August 15-18. With a handsome purse of $20 million, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Top 70 Begin Their March
The top 70 players from the regular season are gearing up for this competition. However, only 50 will advance to the next round, the BMW Championship. For players finishing inside the top 50 by week's end, the reward is clear: secure spots in every PGA Tour signature event for the 2025 season. This adds a layer of pressure and excitement as the golfers tee off.
Close Calls and High Stakes
Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor are precariously positioned, teetering on the brink of elimination. Viktor Hovland, who currently sits at No. 57 in the standings, finds himself in a critical juncture. Despite a commendable third-place finish at this year's PGA Championship, his struggles are evident in his approach and around the green, where he ranks 175th out of 176 players.
Scottie Scheffler Aims for Dominance
All eyes are on Scottie Scheffler, who is seeking his eighth victory of the year. He aims for a commanding entry into the Tour Championship, striving to secure a two-stroke lead for the third consecutive season. Scheffler, along with Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, have collectively amassed ten PGA Tour victories in 2024, highlighting their dominance and form this season.
Consistency Pays Off
While some players have shone with victories, others have found consistency to be their ally. Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman are all inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. Interestingly, none of them have secured a victory this year. Their steady performances, however, have kept them in contention as they look to break through in the St. Jude Championship.
Players to Watch
Xander Schauffele hasn't finished outside the top 25 since February's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, yet his best finish at TPC Southwind dates back to 2020. As Schauffele aims to maintain his streak of steady performances, Rory McIlroy, another top contender, boasts four top-12 finishes in seven appearances at this venue, including a T3 last year. McIlroy has also secured four top-five results in his last six tournaments, making him one of the favorites to watch.
Collin Morikawa, with three top 20s in four appearances at TPC Southwind, is another player to watch. On the other hand, Patrick Cantlay enters the championship with notable top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, alongside three consecutive top-25 finishes.
As the players prepare to tackle the challenges of TPC Southwind, the competition promises to be fierce, with every stroke potentially making the difference between progressing or facing an early exit. The quest for the FedEx Cup Playoffs glory is set to commence, delivering heightened drama and world-class golf for fans and players alike.