The PGA TOUR playoffs kick off this week with the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship. This event marks the first part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and takes place at the well-known TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. With increased stakes, sizzling weather in the forecast, and only the top 70 players competing, the journey to East Lake is officially starting.

Top Players Without McIlroy

While the tournament includes the best 70 players from the FedEx Cup standings, Rory McIlroy has decided not to participate. This means there are only 69 players in the competition. The top-ranked player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, is the main attraction. As the current Open champion, he has shown amazing performance all year and is favoured to win in Memphis.

The defending champion, Hideki Matsuyama, is back at Southwind, aiming to repeat his success from 2024. Other strong competitors include Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Justin Thomas. Players like Daniel Berger, Sam Burns, and Harris English have good past results at this course and come in with good momentum.

Course Overview: TPC Southwind

TPC Southwind is quite challenging. The par-70 course is over 7,240 yards long and features narrow fairways, 94 strategically placed bunkers, and small, quick Bermuda greens that require accuracy with irons and solid putting.

Water hazards are present on 10 holes, and the par-3 14th hole is particularly tough, often ranked as one of the hardest short holes in the tournament. Players’ success will depend on their approach shots and putting under pressure, especially later in the day when the greens get dried out.

The Weather: Hot, Sticky, and Chance of Storms

This week, Memphis will be hot, with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 90s Fahrenheit (32–34 Celsius). The high humidity will challenge the players’ stamina, and there might be afternoon storms from Tuesday to Thursday. Those with early tee times may find better scoring conditions before the heat and wind pick up.

Playoff Rules and What’s Important

There will be no cuts this week; all participants will play four rounds. However, only the top 50 players will progress to the next BMW Championship, making every shot count. For players not currently in the top 50, performing well in Memphis is vital to keep their playoff dreams alive.

Next, the top 30 will head to the Tour Championship at East Lake, where the winner of the entire FedEx Cup season will be decided.

Important Players to Keep an Eye On

Scottie Scheffler – Known for excellent tee-to-green stats and solid putting, he is the one to beat.

Matt Fitzpatrick – He is accurate off the tee and does well on fast greens; a strong contender in playoff tournaments.

Daniel Berger – He has won twice at TPC Southwind, making him a sneaky good choice due to his strong past results.

Sam Burns – A great putter who might make a run if he has a strong week.

Harris English – He has won at this course before, and his experience and iron skills could take him far.

With the playoffs getting closer and the pressure rising, the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship is set to offer four days of exciting, top-level golf. TPC Southwind will continue to favour players who are patient, accurate, and strong mentally. Whether it’s a well-known player like Scheffler or an unexpected competitor stepping up, fans should get ready for some thrilling moments as the chase for the FedEx Cup gets more intense — both in terms of competition and the weather — in Memphis.