The FedExCup Playoffs begin in Memphis with Scottie Scheffler holding the shortest price and 70 players arriving at TPC Southwind knowing one poor week can end their championship chase. The official tournament profile lists August 13-16 on a par-70, 7,288-yard course with a $20 million purse and $3.6 million reserved for the winner.
Justin Rose returns as defending champion after defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff at 16-under last year. Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood finished one stroke behind, reinforcing how little room Southwind gives even elite players.
The field contains 19 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Scheffler opens at +500 on the current board, followed by Rory McIlroy at +1600, then Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young at +2000. Sam Burns sits at +2200.
FedEx St. Jude Championship Schedule And Course
TPC Southwind has hosted PGA Tour golf for decades and now opens the FedExCup Playoffs for the fifth straight season. The top 70 qualified, with only the top 50 advancing to the BMW Championship.
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 13-16, 2026 |
| Course | TPC Southwind |
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Par / Yardage | Par 70 / 7,288 yards |
| Purse | $20 million |
| Defending Champion | Justin Rose |
Southwind rewards control more than raw aggression. Water is in play on 11 holes, the Bermuda rough can punish missed fairways, and the smaller targets place extra value on approach quality. Players who control distance from the fairway gain an edge when approaches target compact greens under playoff pressure.
Readers tracking late-season golf markets can compare this field with our Rocket Classic betting preview, where several of these contenders entered the playoff stretch with strong ball-striking form.
FedEx St. Jude Championship Odds
| Player | Odds To Win |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +500 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1600 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +2000 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
| Cameron Young | +2000 |
| Sam Burns | +2200 |
Scheffler’s price reflects his floor. He leads the Tour in Strokes Gained: Total and Tee-to-Green, owns 11 top-five finishes this season, and has finished T4 and T3 in his past two Memphis starts. Those eight rounds totaled 29-under.
The problem is value. +500 asks Scheffler to beat a 70-player playoff field often enough to justify an implied probability near 17 percent. His consistency makes that plausible, but golf futures punish short prices quickly when one loose round can erase three days of quality work.
Always lock in the best odds across top offshore sportsbooks before placing your bets.
McIlroy Brings A Dangerous Playoff Profile
McIlroy returns to Memphis after skipping the event last year. He enters 12th in the FedExCup standings and already owns three FedExCup titles, giving him deep and proven postseason experience.
At +1600, McIlroy offers a much better payout than Scheffler. His driving can remove difficult tee shots from the equation, but Southwind demands precise wedges and controlled misses. A hot approach week places him directly in the Sunday picture.
Schauffele and Fleetwood offer similar prices with different strengths. Schauffele brings elite all-around consistency. Fleetwood’s Southwind history is impossible to ignore after finishing T3 last year. Cameron Young has the scoring ceiling to separate if his putter cooperates.
Burns at +2200 is the preferred outright bet. His comfort on Bermudagrass, strong history in the South and ability to create birdies from mid-iron range fit the course. He finished T5 at Southwind in 2024 and arrives at a price that provides enough return without reaching long-shot territory.
The hometown-region angle matters less than his skill profile. Burns can gain strokes with the putter when greens become fast, and he does not need to overwhelm Southwind to contend. His biggest task is keeping tee shots away from penalty areas and preventing doubles that destroy playoff positioning.
Rose Still Deserves Respect
Rose should not be dismissed with his price sitting above the leading favorites. His 2025 victory came through four rounds in the 60s before he survived Spaun in a playoff, proving his iron control and patience fit Southwind. Returning as champion brings useful course confidence, yet repeating against this field requires another exceptional putting week. He is more attractive for placement markets than an outright wager if his win price shortens before Thursday.
The Playoff Pressure Changes Every Round
This tournament is not just about winning. Players near 50th in the standings must protect or improve their position before the BMW Championship. That creates aggressive decisions late Friday and Saturday, even without a traditional 36-hole cut.
Scheffler remains the most likely winner, but the betting board rewards looking one tier lower. Burns combines course fit, putting upside and enough price to justify the risk.
Official Prediction: Scottie Scheffler Finishes Inside The Top Five
Golf Best Bet: Sam Burns To Win (+2200)
