The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the prestigious opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a tournament series that determines the season-long champion of the PGA Tour. Scheduled to take place from August 9 to 13, 2023, at the renowned TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, this championship promises to be an exhilarating display of top-tier golfing talent. With a total purse of $20 million, and a whopping $3.6 million going to the champion, the stakes are high, and the competition will be fierce.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship Tee Time:
The Field and Pairings
The tournament field will comprise the crème de la crème of golf, consisting of the top 125 players in the FedEx Cup standings after the Wyndham Championship, the final event of the regular season. The tee times for the first two rounds have already been announced, revealing some captivating pairings that will undoubtedly capture the attention of golf enthusiasts around the world.
Group 1: Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Smith, Sam Burns
The top three players in the FedEx Cup standings, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Smith, and Sam Burns, will kick off the championship together. They will tee off at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday from the first tee and at 12:55 p.m. on Friday from the 10th tee. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, boasts an impressive season with four victories, including the coveted Masters title. Cameron Smith, the reigning Open champion, follows closely with three wins, including two WGC events. Sam Burns, the PGA champion, is also a force to reckon with, having clinched two wins this season, including the prestigious Memorial.
Group 2: Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Jon Rahm
The next trio of players in the FedEx Cup standings is equally formidable. Xander Schauffele, the Olympic gold medalist and winner of the Players Championship, will tee off alongside Patrick Cantlay, the defending FedEx Cup champion with two wins this season, including the BMW Championship. World No. 2, Jon Rahm, rounds out the group with his consistent performances and impressive resume, although he has secured one win this season.
Group 3: Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa
The seventh, eighth, and ninth players in the FedEx Cup standings form an exciting group. Rory McIlroy, a former world No. 1, has shown glimpses of his old form and will seek to add to his single victory this season. Dustin Johnson, the former world No. 1 and 2020 FedEx Cup champion, has been dealing with inconsistency, but he remains a formidable competitor with one win this season. Collin Morikawa, the world No. 5, has battled a back injury but still managed to secure one victory this season.
Group 4: Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas
Completing the marquee groups are Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas. Jordan Spieth’s comeback victory at the Valero Texas Open marks him as a player to watch in this group, alongside Brooks Koepka, who, despite injuries and controversies, remains a strong competitor. Justin Thomas, a former world No. 1 and one-time winner this season, will be aiming to regain his putting prowess and make his mark in the championship.
The Road Ahead
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is only the beginning of the FedEx Cup Playoffs journey. The top 70 players from this event will advance to the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, where the intensity of competition will escalate further. The FedEx Cup champion, who will be crowned at the conclusion of these playoffs, will not only receive a substantial financial reward but also cement their name in golfing history as the best player of the season.
Conclusion
The FedEx St. Jude Championship brings together the finest golfers from around the world for a thrilling showdown. With intriguing group pairings and a stunning venue, fans are in for an unforgettable experience. The stakes are high, and the competition promises to be intense as players battle it out for the coveted title and a chance to progress to the subsequent rounds of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
FAQs
- When and where will the FedEx St. Jude Championship take place? The FedEx St. Jude Championship is scheduled to happen from August 9 to 13, 2023, at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
- What is the total purse of the FedEx St. Jude Championship? The championship will offer a total purse of $20 million, with $3.6 million going to the eventual winner.
- How are the groups for the tournament determined? The groups are formed based on the players’ positions in the FedEx Cup standings after the Wyndham Championship.
- How many players will advance to the next round of the playoffs? Only the top 70 players from the FedEx St. Jude Championship will advance to the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland.
- Where can I find more information about the FedEx St. Jude Championship? For more details about the championship, you can visit its official website here.