Rory McIlroy is back on the PGA Tour stage this week, teeing off at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and broadcasting live on Sky Sports. The world No. 2 is eyeing a strong finish to the 2026 season and hopes to capture a historic fourth FedExCup crown, extending his own record in the process.
Entering the first of three playoff events, McIlroy sits 12th in the season‑long points race. Only the top 50 after this tournament will advance to the BMW Championship, and from there the leading 30 will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. The stakes are high, and every round counts. The Irish star, who won back‑to‑back Masters titles, sat out last year’s FedEx St.
Jude Championship. This year, however, he is part of a 69‑player field at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. He will share the course with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose, among other elite competitors.
**Tournament Schedule (All events streamed live on Sky Sports)** - August 13‑16: FedEx St. Jude Championship – TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN - August 20‑23: BMW Championship – Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO - August 27‑30: Tour Championship – East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, GA Since defending his Masters triumph in April, McIlroy has competed in just six PGA Tour events, three of which were outside the majors. His recent finishes include a tie for 19th at the Truist Championship, a tie for 12th at The Memorial, and a shared seventh place at the Genesis Scottish Open.
While his schedule has been selective, his performances have shown he remains a threat in any field. Brad Faxon, the veteran putting coach who works closely with McIlroy, explained on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast why the 37‑year‑old can afford to be choosy about his tournaments. "After winning two consecutive Masters, Rory is in a position where he can make decisions based on both financial security and mental well‑being," Faxon said. "He isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the constant media attention and the pressure of being in the spotlight can be mentally draining.
Even simple moments—walking through the clubhouse gates or having dinner—are interrupted by fans and reporters." Faxon praised McIlroy’s patience, noting that the golfer’s recent getaway to the Greek islands with close friends provided a much‑needed mental reset. "When Rory told his daughter Poppy, ‘I need to go practice,’ she replied, ‘You already know how to play, Daddy.’ That shows how natural the game feels for him," he added. "To stay competitive during the sweltering southern summer, he’ll need to be in top physical shape over the next few weeks." The FedExCup points system rewards consistency throughout the season, with extra points awarded for marquee events and majors. The top 70 players in the standings have qualified for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship. After that, the field is trimmed to the top 50 for the BMW Championship, and finally the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship. Winners of the first two playoff stops receive 750 points each—equivalent to a major victory—before the points are reset for the final event. Starting in 2025, the Tour Championship abandoned the staggered‑start format.
All 30 qualifiers now begin the tournament at even par, with the final FedExCup champion determined solely by the final leaderboard. The victor walks away with a $10 million prize, a £7.4 million payout, and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Qualifying for the FedEx St. Jude Championship also guarantees a PGA Tour card for the 2027 season and an invitation to The Players Championship. Those who make the BMW Championship earn spots in next year’s signature events, while the 30 who reach the Tour Championship secure a two‑year exemption, a place in the Masters at Augusta National, and potential entries into the U.S.
Open and The Open Championship. Among the rising talents, 21‑year‑old Jackson Koivun has drawn attention after winning the 3M Open in just his third professional start and securing a FedExCup playoff berth in only five events—a feat that matches Tiger Woods’ record. Faxon lauded Koivun’s work ethic and natural putting ability, saying, "He dominates at the college level and possesses a putting stroke and attitude that are rare.
I met him at the Titleist Performance Institute, where the equipment fitting team told me no one comes close to his performance. He also hits his irons exceptionally well, and I’m confident he will be a key player for the U.S. Ryder Cup team next September." The FedExCup Playoffs kick off on Thursday with the FedEx St.
Jude Championship. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 p.m., or stream the action without a contract. For those looking to play the sport themselves, the platform also offers bookings at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. In summary, Rory McIlroy’s return to the FedExCup playoffs is more than a simple tournament appearance; it is a strategic move in a carefully managed season that balances competitive ambition with mental health.
With a clear path to a possible fourth FedExCup title, McIlroy, his coaching team, and his supporters will be watching closely as the playoffs unfold, hoping the Irishman can add another chapter to his already impressive résumé.