FedEx St. Jude Championship Begins FedExCup Playoffs

Updated: August 13, 2026

The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship opens the PGA Tour's FedExCup Playoffs at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship is officially underway in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the opening event of the PGA Tour's FedExCup Playoffs. The tournament runs from August 13 through August 16 at TPC Southwind and brings together the leading players from the regular season for the first stage of the three-event postseason. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

With the FedExCup title and a place in the next playoff event at stake, the tournament has attracted major stars including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Defending champion Justin Rose is also back in Memphis looking to repeat his success. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

When Is the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship?

The tournament competition takes place from Thursday, August 13, through Sunday, August 16, 2026. Public activities began August 12, with the main four-round tournament following from Thursday through Sunday. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

The event is being played at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, a course known for its narrow fairways, challenging greens and numerous water hazards.

Why the FedEx St. Jude Championship Matters

The FedEx St. Jude Championship is not simply another PGA Tour event. It is the first tournament of the FedExCup Playoffs, meaning the performance of every player can have major consequences for the final stages of the season. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

The playoff system reduces the field as the postseason progresses. After the Memphis event, only the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings will advance to the BMW Championship.

The field will then be reduced again before the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Who Is Playing in Memphis?

The 2026 field features many of the strongest players on the PGA Tour. Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the FedExCup points leader and the world's top-ranked golfer.

Rory McIlroy is also among the headline names. McIlroy's decision to play this year's playoff opener has received additional attention because he skipped the event in 2025. Reuters reported that his return reflects his desire to approach the three-week playoffs as a continuous competitive stretch. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Other notable players in the field include Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and several other leading contenders. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Scottie Scheffler Enters as the Favorite

Scheffler enters Memphis in a familiar position: at the top of the FedExCup standings and ranked No. 1 in the world.

He has also performed strongly at TPC Southwind in recent years, finishing fourth in 2024 and third in 2025. Those results make him one of the most closely watched players of the week. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Scheffler has not won since the American Express earlier in 2026, but he arrived in Memphis after finishing runner-up at the 3M Open. He has emphasized the importance of accurate ball striking and careful course management at TPC Southwind. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Rory McIlroy Returns to the Playoff Opener

McIlroy's participation is another major storyline.

The four-time major champion skipped the 2025 St. Jude Championship to rest after the regular season. This year, however, he has returned to Memphis and is currently ranked 12th in the FedExCup standings. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

McIlroy has described the playoffs as a three-week stretch in which managing energy and maintaining momentum will be particularly important.

Defending Champion Justin Rose

Justin Rose enters the 2026 tournament as the defending champion.

Rose won the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship after finishing at 16-under par. He defeated J.J. Spaun in a playoff, with both players finishing at 264 after four rounds.

Rose is therefore attempting to become the first player to successfully defend the title in the current Memphis era of the tournament.

TPC Southwind Is a Difficult Test

TPC Southwind measures approximately 7,288 yards and plays as a par-70 layout for the 2026 tournament. Its narrow fairways, small Bermuda greens and numerous water hazards place a premium on accuracy. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

The course contains water hazards on 11 holes, meaning an aggressive approach can quickly become costly.

Scheffler has specifically identified the fifth hole as a difficult challenge because of its long par-4 layout, partially blind tee shot and demanding approach to a narrow green. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

The Heat Could Become a Factor

Memphis is dealing with significant summer heat during the tournament, creating another challenge for players and spectators.

Scheffler has discussed his hydration strategy, emphasizing electrolytes rather than relying exclusively on water during rounds played in extreme heat. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Hot and humid conditions can affect concentration, endurance and decision-making over four rounds, making physical preparation particularly important.

FedExCup Playoffs Format

The 2026 FedExCup Playoffs consist of three tournaments:

1. FedEx St. Jude Championship: August 13–16 in Memphis.
2. BMW Championship: The second playoff event, where the field is reduced further.
3. Tour Championship: The final event in Atlanta, featuring the remaining 30 players.

The first event is therefore crucial because players cannot simply focus on winning the tournament. They must also protect their position in the FedExCup standings.

What Is at Stake?

The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship carries a $20 million purse, with the winner receiving approximately $3.6 million. The tournament also awards 750 FedExCup points. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

More importantly, only the top 50 players following the tournament will continue to the BMW Championship. This creates an intense battle throughout the leaderboard, particularly among players near the qualification line.

No Cut Adds Another Dimension

The playoff opener uses a limited field and does not have a traditional 36-hole cut. That means every eligible player has four scheduled rounds to improve his FedExCup position. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

The absence of a cut changes the strategy because players can remain aggressive even after a difficult opening round.

How to Watch the FedEx St. Jude Championship

Coverage of the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship is available through the PGA Tour's television and streaming partners, including Golf Channel, CBS and PGA Tour Live coverage. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Viewers should check their local broadcast listings because coverage times can vary by round and platform.

Key Players to Watch

Player	Why He Matters
Scottie Scheffler	World No. 1 and FedExCup points leader
Rory McIlroy	Major champion returning to the playoff opener
Justin Rose	Defending FedEx St. Jude Championship champion
Matt Fitzpatrick	Major champion and leading playoff contender
Shane Lowry	Experienced international contender

What Could Decide the Tournament?

Accuracy is likely to be one of the defining factors at TPC Southwind.

Players who consistently find fairways and avoid the course's numerous water hazards should have a significant advantage. Strong iron play and reliable putting will also be important because the greens can be difficult targets.

Weather and physical endurance could become increasingly important as the tournament progresses.

FedEx St. Jude Championship 2026: Key Facts

Category	Information
Tournament	FedEx St. Jude Championship
Dates	August 13–16, 2026
Location	TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
Role	First event of the 2026 FedExCup Playoffs
Defending champion	Justin Rose
World No. 1	Scottie Scheffler
Purse	$20 million
Winner's share	$3.6 million
FedExCup points	750
Next playoff field	Top 50 advance to BMW Championship

Final Thoughts

The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship represents the beginning of the PGA Tour's race toward the FedExCup title. With Scottie Scheffler leading the standings, Rory McIlroy returning to Memphis and Justin Rose defending his title, the tournament has no shortage of major storylines. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

TPC Southwind will test precision and patience, while the Memphis heat could add another layer of difficulty. With $20 million at stake and only the top 50 players moving forward, every shot can have consequences beyond the tournament itself. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

As the first round begins, attention will focus not only on who wins in Memphis but also on which players strengthen their position for the remaining two stages of the FedExCup Playoffs.

Editorial note: Tournament results, leaderboard positions, tee times and player status can change throughout the event. This article reflects information available on August 13, 2026.