TPC Southwind to Host the Exciting 2024 PGA Tour St. Jude Championship
The 2024 postseason marks a pivotal moment for the PGA Tour as it returns to the iconic TPC Southwind. Set to kick off the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year, the course opens its gates with the much-anticipated St. Jude Championship starting August 15.
This year, the tournament will feature the top 70 players from the regular season, each striving to secure their spot among the elite 50 who will advance to the BMW Championship. The week's performance holds significant weight, as finishing inside the top 50 guarantees entry to every PGA Tour signature event in the 2025 season.
The roster is packed with formidable talents juggling their PGA Tour status. Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose, Nick Dunlap, and Nick Taylor are on the brink, needing strong performances to avoid elimination. Viktor Hovland, who astonishingly ranks 175th out of 176 players in approach and around-the-green stats, currently sits at No. 57 in the standings. Despite these challenges, Hovland had a standout third-place finish at this year's PGA Championship, demonstrating his potential to climb the ranks.
All eyes will also be on Scottie Scheffler, who is gunning for his eighth victory of a remarkable year. Scheffler aims to enter the Tour Championship wielding a commanding two-stroke lead for the third consecutive season, solidifying his dominance. Alongside Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy contribute to a collective ten PGA Tour victories in 2024, exemplifying their superior form.
Key Players: High Stakes and High Performance
While Scheffler and McIlroy bask in their victories, several notable players remain winless in the 2024 season. The likes of Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, and Brian Harman find themselves inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings, yet without a single win this year. This championship represents a critical juncture for these athletes to break that dry spell and make a bold statement.
Collin Morikawa's consistent presence in top 20 finishes—three out of four at TPC Southwind—positions him as a serious contender. Patrick Cantlay, with three consecutive top 25 finishes and significant top-five results at the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, displays a commendable run of form heading into the playoffs.
The ever-reliable Xander Schauffele has notched top 25 finishes in every event since the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. Although his history at TPC Southwind includes only one top 20 finish dating back to 2020, his current form could see him improve his track record here.
Rory McIlroy’s residency at TPC Southwind boasts four top-12 finishes in just seven appearances. With a T3 finish last year and four top-five results in his past six tournaments, McIlroy will be a key player to watch as he aims to capitalize on his strong record at this venue.
The Stage Is Set: Course and Prize Details
TPC Southwind, stretching over 7,243 yards and playing to a par 70, offers golfers a challenging yet rewarding battleground. The course demands precision and strategy, elements that will be pivotal over the four days of high-stakes competition. The St. Jude Championship is not just a test of skill but also a lucrative affair, featuring a substantial $20 million purse that adds to the players' incentives.
From August 15-18, the world's best golfers will navigate TPC Southwind's treacherous terrain under intense pressure, knowing that their performance here could define their careers. With heavyweights like Scheffler, McIlroy, Hovland, and Schauffele in the mix, fans can expect nothing short of golf at its finest. As the field narrows down and the FedEx Cup Playoffs heat up, TPC Southwind will witness the emergence of golfing legends and the drama that defines the sport.