The FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs, takes place August 7–10 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Featuring a select field of 69–70 players (Rory McIlroy opted out), the championship offers 2,000 FedEx Cup points, a $20 million purse, and a $3.6 million winner’s check. The stakes are high as only the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship.
Check out our preview and betting tips for the event below and if you're keen to tail our tips, consider joining Betfair - a betting exchange that offers the best odds in the country!
PGA Tour: Wyndham Championship
Top Contenders
Scottie Scheffler ($33/Top 30 $2.00)
World No. 1 and 2025 Open Championship winner, Scheffler enters Memphis on a dominant run—recently notching 11 consecutive top-10 finishes. He’s rested and ready for playoff golf, making him the clear betting favorite.
Justin Thomas ($28/Top 30 $1.83)
Ranked fourth in the world and sixth in FedEx points, Thomas brings momentum from a RBC Heritage win, multiple runner-up finishes, and a “rested and refreshed” mindset heading into Memphis—ideal preparation for this event.
Dark Horses
Sepp Straka ($61/Top 40 $2.00)
With two wins earlier in 2025 and strong course history at TPC Southwind, Straka is a value pick. He ranks high in recent form and fits well with this course’s characteristics.
Chris Kirk ($141/Top 40 $2.70)
Kirk has been trending up with solid finishes including a top‑5 at the Wyndham Championship, and he’s noted as a sleeper target with consistent performance near Memphis.
The Field
The field comprises the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings following the Wyndham Championship. However, with Rory McIlroy skipping the event, only 69 competitors will contest the field in Memphis.
Headliners include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama. McIlroy's absence elevates Scheffler’s status and tightens the leaderboard battle.
Several big names—Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler—are currently outside the top‑50 FedEx Cup threshold and must perform in Memphis to advance to next week’s BMW Championship.
The Course
TPC Southwind is a Par‑70 layout stretching around 7,244 yards, featuring narrow fairways, penal Bermuda rough, and fast, firm Bermuda greens. It’s a precise player’s course with water hazards and bunkers in play throughout.
The challenging routing includes a signature 155‑yard island‐green par‑3 at No. 11, demanding both nerve and exact approach shots. Accuracy off the tee and strong iron play are vital at every turn.
Course history rewards consistent ball‑strikers who can contend in pressure situations. The no‑cut format ensures all 70 players complete four rounds, making endurance and mental focus just as important as technical ability.
