Rory McIlroy is set to make his comeback at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The world No.2 is eyeing a strong finish to the PGA Tour season and hopes to secure a record‑extending fourth FedExCup title. Entering the first of three playoff tournaments, McIlroy sits twelfth in the season‑long points race. Only the top 50 after this week will advance to the BMW Championship, and from there the leading 30 will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. The two‑time back‑to‑back Masters champion missed last year’s FedEx St.
Jude Championship, but he is now part of a 69‑player field at TPC Southwind in Memphis. He will be joined by world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose, among others. The three playoff events will all be shown live on Sky Sports: - August 13‑16: FedEx St.
Jude Championship (TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee) - August 20‑23: BMW Championship (Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri) - August 27‑30: Tour Championship (East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia) Since defending his Masters triumph in April, McIlroy has competed in only six tournaments, 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. Brad Faxon, the veteran putting coach who works with McIlroy, explained on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the 37‑year‑old now has the luxury of being selective about his schedule.
"After winning consecutive Masters titles, he can afford to be choosy – both financially and mentally," Faxon said. "Rory isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the mental strain of constant media attention and the pressure of always being in the spotlight can be draining.
Whether he’s walking onto the course or sitting down for dinner, someone is always approaching him." Faxon praised McIlroy’s patience, noting that the golfer’s recent trip to the Greek islands with close friends provided a much‑needed break from the game. He recalled a charming moment when Rory told his daughter Poppy, "I need to go practice," to which she replied, "You already know how to play, Daddy." That anecdote underscores how McIlroy still possesses the instinctive feel for golf that has served him so well in the playoffs over the years. The summer heat in the southern United States will be another factor.
"In the brutal summer months you have to be in peak physical condition to contend for the FedExCup," Faxon warned. Throughout the season, players accumulate points based on their finishes in PGA Tour events, with extra points awarded for signature tournaments and the majors. The top 70 in the standings have qualified for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship (August 13‑16). After that, the field narrows to the top 50 for the BMW Championship (August 20‑23), and finally only the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship (August 27‑30). Winners of the first two playoff stops receive 750 points each – the same amount granted for victories at The Players Championship and the major championships – before points are reset to zero ahead of the final event. In the Tour Championship, all competitors start at even par, as the previous starting‑strokes model based on FedExCup rankings was eliminated in 2025.
The champion of the Tour Championship will be crowned the 2026 FedExCup winner, earning a $10 million prize and a five‑year PGA Tour exemption. Additionally, all players who qualified for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship have secured their PGA Tour cards for the 2027 season and earned entry into The Players Championship. Those who make the BMW Championship will also gain spots in next season’s signature events.
For the 30 golfers who reach the Tour Championship, the rewards include a two‑year PGA Tour exemption and an invitation to the Masters at Augusta National. They will also be in line for spots in the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
A notable storyline emerging from the playoffs is the rapid rise of 21‑year‑old Jackson Koivun. After winning the 3M Open in only his third professional start, Koivun secured a FedExCup playoff berth after just five events, tying Tiger Woods’ record for fastest qualification. Faxon highlighted Koivun as a potential future Ryder Cup player for the United States when the competition moves to Ireland next September. "He dominates at the collegiate level and is the hardest‑working kid I’ve ever seen," Faxon said.
"He has a superb putting stroke and a great attitude toward the short game. I spend a lot of time at the Titleist Performance Institute testing equipment, and everyone I’ve spoken to about his club and ball fitting says nobody is close to what he’s doing.
He also hits the irons exceptionally well, and I’m excited for his future. I’ve been a long‑term believer in Jackson Koivun." The FedExCup Playoffs kick off on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 p.m., or stream the coverage without a contract. For those looking to play a round themselves, a network of 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland is available for booking online.
In summary, Rory McIlroy’s return to competitive golf comes at a pivotal moment in the FedExCup race. With his talent, experience, and a newfound ability to manage his schedule, he is well positioned to chase a historic fourth title while navigating the physical and mental challenges that come with the sport’s most demanding stretch of the season.