Introduction
If you love golf, you already know the FedExCup Playoffs kick off with one of the most anticipated weeks on the PGA Tour calendar. The St. Jude Championship opens the postseason, and this year it brings a stacked field to Memphis for four days of pure drama. You will see the game’s biggest names chasing points, prize money and playoff survival all at once.
This guide walks you through everything worth knowing about the St. Jude Championship. We cover the schedule, the leaderboard, tee times, the field, odds, TV coverage, the course itself and how the FedExCup standings shift once the dust settles. Whether you are checking scores on your phone between meetings or planning your weekend around the broadcast, you will find what you need below.
Let us tee off.
What Is the St. Jude Championship?
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is a PGA Tour golf tournament and the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs. It marks the moment the regular season officially ends and the real pressure begins. Every player in the field is fighting to stay alive in the race toward the season ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Unlike a normal Tour stop, this event only invites the top 70 players from the FedExCup standings. There is no cut in the traditional sense either, since everyone who tees it up already earned their spot through a full season of results. That setup alone makes the St. Jude Championship feel different from any other week on Tour.
St. Jude Championship 2026 Schedule
Mark your calendar, because the action does not wait around.
- Dates: August 13 to 16, 2026
- Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
- Format: 72 hole stroke play, no cut
- Purse: 20 million dollars, with roughly 3.6 million going to the winner
The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday, with the final groups typically finishing up in the late afternoon on Sunday. Since this event sits at the very start of the playoffs, expect the leaderboard to shuffle constantly as players fight to protect their playoff position, not just chase a trophy.
St. Jude Championship Field: Who Is Playing?
The field for the St. Jude Championship includes the top 70 players from the season long FedExCup standings. This year, 69 players actually teed it up after one withdrawal thinned the group slightly.
Some names you should watch for include:
- Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, chasing his second FedExCup title and looking for another win this season
- Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, making a rare playoff appearance after committing late in the week
- Other leading FedExCup points holders rounding out a genuinely elite field
Because only the top 70 earn a spot, every player here already had a strong season. There are no easy outs and no weak links, which makes the St. Jude Championship one of the most competitive fields you will see all year.
Why the Field Feels Different This Year
I always find it interesting how the playoff opener changes a player’s mindset. Regular events reward good weeks. This one rewards consistency built over months. That pressure tends to bring out either brilliant golf or costly mistakes, and both make for great viewing.
St. Jude Championship Tee Times
Tee times for the opening two rounds begin early, with the first group typically going off around 7:10 a.m. local time at TPC Southwind. Featured pairings, including Scheffler and McIlroy, tend to head out mid morning to maximize television coverage.
If you want to catch a specific player, check the official tee time sheet the night before each round, since weather delays and pace of play can shift groups later in the day.
St. Jude Championship Leaderboard
The leaderboard updates live throughout all four rounds, and TPC Southwind has a habit of producing tight finishes. Scoring conditions can shift quickly depending on wind and August heat, both of which are common in Memphis this time of year.
Keep an eye on the leaderboard for these key storylines:
- Who separates from the pack early and builds a cushion
- Which players move inside the top 50 to secure a BMW Championship spot
- Any surprise names climbing from the bottom half of the field
St. Jude Championship Odds
Sportsbooks list Scottie Scheffler as the favorite heading into the week, thanks to his consistent play and strong track record in big events. Rory McIlroy and a handful of other top ranked players typically follow close behind in the odds.
Odds shift daily based on practice round buzz, course conditions and recent form, so check updated numbers closer to Thursday’s opening tee shots if you plan to follow the betting angle.
St. Jude Championship TV Schedule
You have plenty of ways to watch this year.
- Thursday and Friday: Early coverage streams live before the main broadcast windows shift between two networks throughout the afternoon
- Saturday and Sunday: Weekend coverage expands as the leaderboard tightens, with featured group and featured hole streams available for fans who want every shot
- Streaming: A subscription based streaming option offers exclusive early access each morning, plus continuous coverage throughout each round
Check your local listings for exact channel numbers, since regional coverage can vary slightly.
TPC Southwind: The Course Behind the St. Jude Championship
TPC Southwind has hosted this event for decades, and the course rewards accuracy over raw power. Tree lined fairways, well guarded greens and a handful of risk reward par fives make it a true second shot golf course. Players who control their ball flight and putt well under pressure tend to thrive here.
The course typically plays to a par of 70, and scoring depends heavily on wind direction and August humidity. Low scores are absolutely possible, but so is a sudden three or four shot swing on the back nine.
Past Results and the Defending Champion
Justin Rose enters as the defending champion of the St. Jude Championship, having claimed the title in a memorable performance the year before. Past champions of this event read like a who’s who of modern golf, which only adds to the prestige of lifting this particular trophy.
Winning the St. Jude Championship does more than fill the trophy case. It also delivers a massive boost in FedExCup points right at the moment when every point matters most.
What Happens After the St. Jude Championship?
Once the final putt drops on Sunday, the playoff field narrows fast. The top 50 players in the FedExCup standings advance to the BMW Championship, while everyone outside that number sees their season come to an end.
That single cut line creates real tension throughout the final round, since players sitting near 50th spend Sunday watching the standings almost as closely as their own scorecard.
FAQs About the St. Jude Championship
Who won the St. Jude Championship? Justin Rose is the defending champion of the St. Jude Championship.
Where is the St. Jude Championship played? The St. Jude Championship is played at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
How many players qualify for the BMW Championship? The top 50 players in the FedExCup standings advance from the St. Jude Championship to the BMW Championship.
When is the St. Jude Championship 2026? The 2026 St. Jude Championship runs from August 13 to August 16 at TPC Southwind.
How many players compete in the St. Jude Championship? The event features the top 70 qualifying players from the FedExCup standings, though the actual number teeing off can shift slightly due to withdrawals.
Is the St. Jude Championship part of the FedExCup Playoffs? Yes, the St. Jude Championship is the official opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs on the PGA Tour.
Who are the top players to watch at the St. Jude Championship? Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy headline the field, along with the rest of the leading FedExCup points holders.
What is the prize money for the St. Jude Championship? The tournament carries a purse of 20 million dollars, with the winner earning roughly 3.6 million.
Final Thoughts
The St. Jude Championship sets the tone for the entire FedExCup Playoffs, and this year’s field promises fireworks from the very first tee shot. With Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and the rest of the top 70 all fighting for position, expect tight scores, bold shot making and real pressure on every green.
Are you rooting for the defending champion to repeat, or do you think a new name lifts the trophy this year? Follow along this week, share your predictions and enjoy one of the most exciting stretches of golf all season.
connectionssportshint.com
Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
About the Author: Hamid Ali is a sports content writer who covers golf and major PGA Tour events with a focus on clear, reader friendly reporting. He enjoys breaking down tournament schedules, player storylines and course strategy so golf fans never miss a moment of the action.
