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2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
By Cameron DaSilva,
5 hours ago
The 2024 FedExCup Playoffs officially begin this week with the 1st of 3 events that will decide the season-long champion. It starts with the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn. The field is limited to just the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings, which are led by Scottie Scheffler.
After winning gold in Paris at the Olympics, Scheffler returns to the states for the start of the playoffs. He’s joined by Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa, all of whom are teeing it up this week in Memphis. The final player to make it into the field is Victor Perez, who ranks 70th in the FedExCup standings.
TPC Southwind is a difficult course that features water hazards spread throughout the 18 holes. It’s only a par 70, with 2 par-5s on the scorecard, so scoring opportunities are more limited than usual. At 7,243 yards, it’s not one of the longer courses on tour and requires players to be accurate off the tee in order to position themselves for approaches into the Bermuda greens. The winning score in each of the last 5 years has been between 13-under and 16-under par.
It was another major-less year for McIlroy, but he’s one of the most trustworthy players when it comes to the playoffs. In this event alone, he’s had finishes of 4th, 12th and 3rd in the last 5 years, showing a prowess for navigating TPC Southwind. With his high ball flight and mid-iron game, he’s a perfect fit for this course.
Ludvig Aberg (+1600)
Aberg can win anywhere and though his 18th-place finish in the Olympics was slightly disappointing, he’s still had a terrific year. He’s one of the best mid-to-long-iron players in the world already, which is a shot Southwind demands of players. He should have success in his debut here.
Hideki Matsuyama (+2500)
Matsuyama finished on the podium at the Olympics, earning a bronze medal after finishing just 2 shots behind Scheffler for gold. He’s had a lot of success at TPC Southwind in the past, finishing 2nd in 2021 and 16th just last year. With his short game, which is the best on tour right now, he’ll be able to save par from everywhere when he does miss the green.
FedEx St. Jude Championship picks – Contenders
Sungjae Im (+4000)
Im faded on the weekend at the Wyndham Championship, but he now comes to a course that fits his game well. He finished 6th here last year after coming in 2nd the year prior, nearly winning this tournament in each of the last 2 seasons.
Sahith Theegala (+4500)
Theegala missed the cut at the Open Championship, but the week prior he finished 4th in Scotland and a week after the Open, he came in 6th at the 3M Open. Long story short: he’s playing well. He’s only played this event twice and finished 13th both times (2022-23). As a mid-tier option, he’s a great target.
FedEx St. Jude Championship picks – Long shots
Cam Davis (+9000)
After opening with a 69 last week in North Carolina, Davis struggled in Round 2 with a 3-over 73. He’ll move on from that and get back on track at TPC Southwind where he’s finished 6th and 13th in the last 2 years.
Taylor Moore (+10000)
Moore deserves a look as a real long shot this week. He came in 31st in his tournament debut in 2022 before finishing 5th last year. And while his recent record may not blow anyone away, he does have 2 top-12s in his last 5 starts.
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