FedEx St. Jude Championship Preview and Picks

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🏌️‍♂️ The Final Stretch of the 2024 PGA Tour Season

As we enter the home stretch of the 2024 PGA Tour season, the pressure is on. After 36 events since January, the list of players advancing to the FedExCup playoffs has been narrowed down to the top 70, leaving some familiar faces on the outside looking in.

Take Davis Riley, for example. Despite a win at Colonial, Riley finished 72nd in the rankings, just outside the cutoff. After his victory, he was ranked 55th, but his performance faltered when it mattered most. He’s not alone—Harry Hall, Brice Garnett, and Chris Gotterup, all winners this season, will also miss out on the playoffs.

For others, it’s the end of long streaks. Keith Mitchell, who has made the FedExCup playoffs every year since his rookie season in 2018, finished 77th this year and will be watching from home. Lucas Glover, last year’s winner of both the Wyndham and FedEx St. Jude, finished 78th this season and failed to secure a top-10 finish. C.T. Pan, hindered by injuries, ended up 93rd, and K.H. Lee, despite three top-10 finishes, finished 101st. Even Matt Kuchar, who has been a staple in the FedEx playoffs for 17 years, couldn’t keep the streak alive, finishing 105th after a tough final day at Wyndham.

These players aren’t alone. Rickie Fowler, who seemed to have regained his form last year with a win at the Rocket Mortgage and a strong finish at the Tour Championship, dropped from 16th to 108th this year. In a previous season, they might have had a shot at the playoffs, but with the new system limiting the field to just 70, many are left watching from the sidelines.

🏆 The History of the FedEx St. Jude Championship

This year marks the 58th edition of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, a tournament with a rich history and numerous name changes. Originally known as the Westchester Classic when it began in 1967, it has been through several title sponsors, including American Express, Manufacturers Hanover, Buick, Barclays, and Northern Trust.

The tournament’s timing has also shifted over the years. It was traditionally played in June, around the U.S. Open, but with the introduction of the FedExCup playoffs, it moved to August. The event initially took place at Westchester, where Steve Stricker won the first playoff event, but it later moved to different venues for logistical reasons.

The FedEx St. Jude Championship has evolved with the changing landscape of the PGA Tour. When Dell Technology left, Boston was without a Tour event, but the FedEx St. Jude stepped in and included TPC Boston in its rotation. After that, it was supposed to move around the New York and New Jersey area, but it was played for the last time in the New York, New Jersey area at Liberty National Golf Club.

🌳 TPC Southwind: A Course Overview

Located in Germantown, Tennessee, TPC Southwind is the current home of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The course, which opened in 1988, was designed by Ron Prichard with input from Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller. It’s a challenging, tight course with numerous trees, bunkers, and water hazards.

Originally, the course featured zoysia grass on the fairways and bentgrass on the greens, but after the 2004 tournament, it underwent significant renovations. The greens were switched to Champion Bermuda Grass, fairways were narrowed, and 15 new bunkers were added, bringing the total to 96. Three of the ten water hazards were enlarged, and over 125 trees were planted. These changes increased the course's length to 7,243 yards, with a rating of 75.9 and a slope of 138.

Despite the challenges, TPC Southwind is enjoyable for many players. Last year, the course played to an average score of 68.64, making it the 39th hardest on the Tour. However, the closing holes are tough, with four of the last seven playing over par.

For those looking to win at TPC Southwind, hitting greens is crucial. Eight of the last 13 winners finished in the top 10 for Greens in Regulation. Last year’s winner, Lucas Glover, was an outlier, finishing T-37th in that stat, but the previous year’s champion, Will Zalatoris, was T-8th. In 2016, Daniel Berger led the field in Greens in Regulation.

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👀 Who to Watch at TPC Southwind

Over the last six years, TPC Southwind has hosted three different events: the FedEx St. Jude Classic, the WGC-FedEx St. Jude, and now the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Among this year’s field, several players have a strong history at Southwind.

Billy Horschel has played at Southwind 12 times, with his best finish being T-7th in the 2018 FedEx St. Jude Classic. He also boasts the most top-10 finishes (five) among players in the field. Harris English, Will Zalatoris, and Justin Thomas are the only players in the field who have won at TPC Southwind.

Among the favorites, Scottie Scheffler has played at Southwind six times, with his best finish being 14th at the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Xander Schauffele has also played six times, with his best result being T-6th at the 2020 WGC event. Rory McIlroy has played seven times, with four top-12 finishes, including a T-3rd last year.

Keep an eye on Russell Henley, who has two top-10 finishes in six starts, and Patrick Cantlay, who was the runner-up last year. Hideki Matsuyama was also a runner-up in 2021, and Collin Morikawa finished T-5th in 2022.

🔑 Key Stats for Success at TPC Southwind

TPC Southwind has been part of the PGA Tour since 1989, hosting various events, including the FedEx St. Jude Classic and the World Golf Championship. Since 2022, it has served as the first event in the FedExCup playoffs. Interestingly, despite its reputation, the course has become easier over the years, with scoring averages dropping significantly since it started hosting the WGC-FedEx event in 2019. Factors like drier conditions and smaller field sizes have contributed to this trend.

Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green
This stat has been crucial for winners at TPC Southwind. The course consistently ranks around 20th in driving accuracy and greens in regulation. Recent champions like Lucas Glover and Will Zalatoris have excelled in this area, demonstrating the importance of hitting fairways and greens.

One-Putt Percentage
Despite the large greens at TPC Southwind, one-putts are common, making this stat important. The course ranks around 50th for one-putt percentage, and past winners like Brooks Koepka and Will Zalatoris have had strong performances in this area.

Scrambling
Given the course's difficulty, players often miss greens, making scrambling a vital stat. TPC Southwind ranks in the middle of the pack for scrambling difficulty, but recent winners have consistently ranked high in this category, highlighting the need to recover well when greens are missed.

Birdie Average
Making birdies at TPC Southwind is challenging, with the course ranking in the top 30 in birdie average difficulty. However, recent winners have managed to find success in this area, with birdie averages playing a key role in their victories.

Overall, TPC Southwind rewards shotmakers who can navigate its tight fairways, large greens, and challenging conditions. Players excelling in these key stats are likely to contend for victory.

🚨 Final Thoughts

As the PGA Tour season winds down and the playoffs begin, TPC Southwind will be the stage for some of the best golf of the year. With a tight course, a storied history, and a field full of talent, the FedEx St. Jude Championship promises to be an exciting event. Whether you’re rooting for a favorite or an underdog, there’s no shortage of drama as the 2024 PGA Tour season reaches its climax.

Who to watch for at the FedEx St. Jude Championship

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