The 2024 FedEx St.Jude Championship starts the 2024 FedEx Cup playoff.
It's an exciting time of year in the world of golf, and although things are starting to wind down during the season, they have also become incredibly interesting and competitive.
If you are gearing up for the FedEx, here are a few things to know about the first event of the championship, what the course will be like, and the players who are guaranteed a spot in the event.
What to Expect at TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind is the location of the 2024 FedEx St.Jude Championship. The course is known for it's challenging layout. The course has narrow fairways and bunkers surrounding greens that create for difficult approaches.
Southwind is a par 70 course that will play over 7200 yards for the tournament. Players often talk about how fast the greens will be rolling. Fast greens and water hazards on 10 of the 18 holes should end up being a good test of golf.
Some players that have played well at TPC Southwind in the past include Rory McIlory, Scottie Scheffler, and Tony Finau. All three of these players are currently in the top 15 for FedEx cup standings.
The 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs: How Does It Work?
With the FedEx St.Jude Championship being the start of the FedEx Cup, here are things to know about the tournament and how it will work. This is the 18th edition of the FedEx Cup, and the first event has 70 players competing.
After the first event, the top 50 will compete at the BMW Championship. The three-part FedEx Cup playoffs end at the Tour Championship, where the top 30 will compete to be the FedEx Cup player of the year.
One of the most important aspects of this event is that the top 50 players will get full exemption for the following season on the PGA Tour. Those who are right on that line will be fighting hard to finish near the top and secure their card.
Key Contenders For FedEx St. Jude Championship
The final field for the FedEx Cup St. Jude Championship won't be decided until the week before the event, when everyone has had their chance to compete and get their final ranking. However, the golfers toward the top of the list are likely safe even if the event is a few weeks/months away.
Here are some key competitors to watch for and a few you may want to consider if you are betting on the FedEx Cup St. Jude Championship.
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Scottie Scheffler: has had one of the best PGA Tour seasons in history with plenty of consistency and a position at the top of the list. Scottie will certainly put on a shot.
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Xander Schauffele: he's won two majors in 2024 and many people are calling him the player of the year before that is even decided!
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Rory McIlroy: media covers any time Rory plays poorly, but he's earned a spot at the top of this list with some great play in 2024. Take a look at this record and scoring. He has what it takes.
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Collin Morikawa: one of the better ball strikers on tour, he will have no problem navigating the shot making necessary to play TPC Southwind.
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Wyndham Clark: always tends to play well in the end of the season; he is someone who thrives on this extra competitiveness and playoff opportunities.
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Ludvig Åberg: a young player who can win and pull off a surprise for everyone; he had a strong showing at the Masters and is surprisingly composed for his experience level.
Detailed Look at the FedEx Cup Standings
With a few weeks until the FedEx Cup starts, the standings are becoming something golfers pay more attention to. Golfers like Max Homa, Cameron Young, and Matt Fitzpatrick are just outside the top 30.
Justin Rose, Victor Hovland, and Jordan Spieth are trying to get inside the 50. Then there are the golfers who are just outside the FedEx Cup point requirement right now, like Luke List, Lucas Glover, Lee Hodges, and Adam Shenk.
This is the time of year that every putt truly does count!
Conclusion
Playoff golf makes for an exciting end of the season. Players have had a long season, and the FedEx St.Jude Championship is an exciting way to start the playoffs.
Betting on your favourite players and watching them go through the playoff season will make you feel like you are on the other side of the ropes.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
