2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship Kicks Off with Top Players

The 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs commence on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. This event features the top 70 players from the FedEx Cup standings, with the top 50 advancing to the BMW Championship.

The total purse for the tournament is set at $20 million, and points awarded are quadrupled compared to regular PGA events, potentially altering player standings significantly. Scottie Scheffler is the leading favorite at +480, followed by Rory McIlroy at +1300 and both Cameron Young and Sam Burns at +2000.

SportsLine's model, which has accurately predicted outcomes in 17 major tournaments, has simulated the championship 10,000 times. Notably, it suggests that Xander Schauffele, despite being a favorite, may not finish in the top 10, while Sam Burns is projected as a top-3 contender based on his recent performances.