FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025: Scheffler Eyes Historic Double, McIlroy Surprisingly Absent

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The first round of FedEx Cup playoffs begins at the iconic TPC Southwind in Memphis. The world No. 1 has a chance at historic success.

The golf world prepares for one of the season's most important tournaments. The FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 kicks off the final series of three tournaments that will determine the PGA Tour season champion and the holder of a $10 million bonus. This Thursday, the top 70 players of the year will tee off at the legendary TPC Southwind in Memphis, battling for advancement to the next playoff round.

The spotlight falls on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has a unique opportunity to become the first golfer in history to win the FedEx Cup trophy twice in a row. A surprising development is the absence of Rory McIlroy, who became the first qualified player to voluntarily skip the opening playoff round.

A Tournament with Rich History and Charitable Mission

The FedEx St. Jude Championship represents far more than an ordinary golf tournament. Professional golf has been played in Memphis since 1958, when the Memphis Open was established. A pivotal moment in the tournament's history came in 1970, when Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, partnered with tournament leaders to connect golf with charity.

Since 1989, the tournament has been played at the prestigious TPC Southwind, and in 2022 it received a significant promotion to become the first tournament of the FedEx Cup playoffs. The charitable dimension remains central—since 1970, the tournament has raised more than $79 million for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

"When it comes to golf in Memphis, it has always been about more than just the game," say organizers, emphasizing the continued connection between sport and helping children in need.

Star-Studded Field Without McIlroy

TPC Southwind will host the elite field of the season's top 70 players, led by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at +280 odds. Main favorites also include Xander Schauffele (18-1 odds), who has shown consistent performances throughout the season, and Matthew Fitzpatrick (22-1), who displays strong form on similar courses.

Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood (both 25-1) could also play significant roles, along with Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg, and Russell Henley (all 30-1). Young talents like Ludvig Aberg will be seeking their first major breakthrough at the highest level.

A surprising absence is Rory McIlroy, who despite qualifying decided not to participate in the tournament. He becomes the first of the top 70 players to voluntarily skip the opening playoff round, sparking speculation about his preparation for upcoming challenges.

Analytical Predictions and Surprising Candidates

The renowned SportsLine computer model conducted 10,000 tournament simulations and offers intriguing predictions. Among the biggest surprises is the forecast regarding Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion who according to the model won't have a successful week.

Morikawa, who made 22 consecutive cuts early in his career, has recently struggled with consistency. Since 2021, he has won only one tournament (2023 Zozo Championship), and in the current season has recorded three missed cuts with only four top-10 finishes in 16 tournaments. He currently arrives after two consecutive missed cuts and ranks 95th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting and 121st in scrambling.

On the other end of the spectrum stands Sam Burns, who despite +4000 odds could deliver a strong performance according to the model. Burns is experiencing one of his career's best seasons with personal records at the US Open (T7) and PGA Championship (T19). His second place at the RBC Canadian Open, where he lost in a playoff to Ryan Fox, confirms his rising form.

Burns has 10 top-25 finishes this season, made 12 consecutive cuts, and ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. Last year at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he finished tied for fifth, suggesting his comfort on this course.

Path to Overall Victory

The FedEx St. Jude Championship represents the first step toward overall FedEx Cup triumph. The tournament offers a $20 million prize pool, with the top 50 players advancing to the BMW Championship (second playoff round). The final 30 golfers will then compete in the Tour Championship for overall victory and a $10 million bonus.

Scottie Scheffler has a unique opportunity to achieve historic back-to-back FedEx Cup victories, which would place him among the greatest legends of modern golf. His dominance in this year's season makes him the clear favorite for overall triumph.

Stories Worth Watching

The tournament offers several fascinating storylines. Matti Schmid, as player No. 70, qualified for the playoffs at the last moment with three consecutive birdies at the Wyndham Championship, representing one of the most dramatic playoff entries in history.

Hideki Matsuyama arrives as defending champion and will want to confirm his dominance at TPC Southwind. The dramatic battle for advancement among players on the edge of the top 50 will add another layer of tension to the tournament.

Practical Information

The FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 begins Thursday at TPC Southwind in Memphis. Weekend final rounds will be broadcast on CBS Sports. The tournament is played in classic stroke play format over 72 holes with a total prize money of $20 million.

The opening of the FedEx Cup playoffs represents one of the golf season's highlights, where decisions are made not only about the individual tournament winner but also about the direction of the entire season toward the final triumph.

Photo source:The Golfina Gazette