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 add a fourth FedExCup title to his résumé, extending his record in the process. Entering the first of three playoff tournaments, McIlroy sits 12th in the season‑long FedExCup standings.
Only the top 50 players after this event will move on to the BMW Championship, and the top 30 from there will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. The stakes are high, and every point matters.
The 37‑year‑old, who captured back‑to‑back Masters titles, missed last year’s FedEx St. Jude Championship but 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 other notable competitors. **Tournament schedule 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 crown in April, McIlroy has only entered six events, three of which were outside the majors. His recent results 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 remained competitive. Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s longtime putting coach, explained on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the Irish star now has the luxury to pick his tournaments.
"After winning two consecutive Masters, Rory can afford to be selective both financially and mentally," Faxon said. "He isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the mental fatigue of constant media attention and fan interaction can be draining.
Even simple moments like entering the clubhouse or having dinner are interrupted by admirers." 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. He recalled a touching anecdote in which McIlroy told his daughter Poppy, "I need to go practice," to which she replied, "You already know how to play, Daddy." The story underscores that, despite the pressures, McIlroy retains his love for the game and a solid track record in playoff scenarios.
The summer heat in the southern United States will test the players’ physical conditioning in the weeks ahead. "To contend for the FedExCup you need to be in peak shape," Faxon warned, emphasizing the demanding nature of the playoff schedule. **How the FedExCup points system works** Throughout the season, players accumulate points based on their finishes in PGA Tour events, with elevated points awarded for signature tournaments and majors. The top 70 in the standings qualify for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship. From there, 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 events receive 750 points each—equivalent to a major victory. After the BMW Championship, points are reset to zero ahead of the Tour Championship, where all remaining competitors start on even par under the new starting‑strokes model that replaced the previous system in 2025.
The champion of the Tour Championship is crowned FedExCup winner, earning a $10 million prize, a five‑year PGA Tour exemption, and a host of additional benefits, including guaranteed entry into the following year’s Players Championship and a two‑year exemption for the top 30 finishers. **Implications for tour cards and major qualifications** Every player who makes the FedEx St. Jude field secures his or her PGA Tour card for the 2027 season and earns a spot in the Players Championship.
The 50 who advance to the BMW Championship lock in places for next season’s signature events. The 30 who reach the Tour Championship not only vie for the $10 million prize but also receive a two‑year exemption, an invitation to the Masters at Augusta National, and potential entry into the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. **Rising star Jackson Koivun** The playoffs also highlighted a young talent, Jackson Koivun, who captured the 3M Open in only his third professional start.
At 21, Koivun secured a FedExCup playoff berth after just five events, matching a record set by Tiger Woods. Faxon lauded Koivun’s work ethic and putting ability, describing him as a potential future Ryder Cup player for the United States. "He has a natural putting stroke and an incredible attitude," Faxon said.
"The testing we do at the Titleist Performance Institute shows he is far ahead of his peers in both club and ball fitting. I’m a long‑term believer in Jackson Koivun." **How to watch** The FedExCup Playoffs kick off on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Fans can watch 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 the game themselves, a network of 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland offers online booking. In summary, Rory McIlroy’s return to competitive golf comes at a pivotal moment in the FedExCup race.
With a selective schedule, a seasoned mentor, and a clear focus on both physical preparation and mental rejuvenation, he is well‑positioned to challenge for his fourth FedExCup title. The upcoming weeks will test his resilience, but the combination of talent, experience, and strategic planning could see him add another historic chapter to his already impressive career.