The FedEx Cup Playoffs Tee Off with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind

The FedEx Cup Playoffs kick off this week in Memphis, with the FedEx St. Jude Championship taking center stage at the renowned TPC Southwind course. This marks the second year of the revamped FedEx Cup Playoffs format, where the top 70 players in the standings after the Wyndham Championship earn a spot in the postseason.

In the playoff events, FedEx Cup points are quadrupled, with the winner of the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the BMW Championship set to claim 2,000 points each. Scottie Scheffler, the Olympic gold medalist, enters the playoffs with a nearly 2,000-point lead over second-place Xander Schauffele, making him the clear frontrunner. However, Schauffele, who has struggled at TPC Southwind in the past, will be hoping to turn the tide and make a push for the FedExCup trophy.

After this week’s tournament, the playoff field will be trimmed from 70 to 50 players. Those currently outside the top 50 in the standings, such as Jake Knapp and former FedEx St. Jude Championship winner Will Zalatoris, will be fighting to secure a spot in the BMW Championship.

The Key to Success at TPC Southwind

The key to success at TPC Southwind is undoubtedly ball-striking, as the doglegs and water hazards demand precise play off the tee. The small greens will also reward those players who excel in proximity to the hole on approach shots. Strokes gained around the green and scrambling will be vital, as players will need to get up and down from challenging spots to contend for the title.

Recent champions at TPC Southwind include Lucas Glover (2023), Will Zalatoris (2022), and Tony Finau (2021), indicating the diverse skillsets that can thrive on this course. With the FedEx Cup Playoffs in full swing, golf enthusiasts can expect an exciting week of action at the 2023 WGC Dell Match Play event.