FedEx St. Jude Opens Playoffs With 69-Player Field

The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship kicks off the PGA Tour playoffs at a newly renovated TPC Southwind in Memphis, featuring 69 of the top 70 golfers competing for a $20 million purse. Scottie Scheffler enters as the dominant favorite after 11 consecutive top-10 finishes, while Hideki Matsuyama looks to defend his title. Rory McIlroy is skipping the event but remains a strong contender in the overall FedEx Cup standings due to his points lead. The tournament serves as a pivotal cutoff, as only the top 50 after this week advance to the BMW Championship, making the outcome critical for players like Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler, and Tony Finau. The event is known for dramatic moments, including controversial rulings and weather issues, though this year heat is expected to be the main challenge. A total of $100 million in bonus money is set to be distributed throughout the postseason.