Scottie Scheffler delivered an extraordinary performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, carding a nine‑under‑par 61 that vaulted him to the summit of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, world‑number‑one Rory McIlroy endured a more modest round, battling the heat and finding himself well down the field. Scheffler’s round was a masterclass in precision and confidence.
He opened his second round with a flurry of five consecutive birdies, taking full advantage of the sweltering conditions that had many players feeling the weight of the sun. Although he stumbled with bogeys on the eighth and twelfth holes, those hiccups were quickly erased as he finished the day with four birdies in his final five holes. The result was an 11‑under‑par total, granting him a three‑stroke cushion over South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who sit at eight under.
“The start was everything I wanted,” Scheffler said after his round. “It felt like a dream. Honestly, it’s one of the best starts I’ve ever had on tour.
I can’t recall a time I’ve been that low so early in a round.” He added that his swing had felt “really good” over the past couple of weeks, especially when playing on familiar home soil. “Getting out there early and keeping the momentum was key. I was able to put together a solid round and stay ahead of the pack.” The Memphis sunshine that seemed to energize Scheffler cast a stark contrast to McIlroy’s experience.
The Northern Irish star posted a level‑par 70, which left him tied for 62nd out of a 69‑player field and four strokes under par overall. His round began promisingly, with a two‑under‑par standing as he approached the 17th hole.
However, bogey‑five scores on the final two holes caused him to slip back, though he still has the luxury of playing the remaining two rounds without the pressure of a cut, as the opening event of the FedEx Cup playoffs does not eliminate players. Other notable performances included Jordan Spieth, who, despite not having cracked a top‑10 finish this season, found himself co‑leading after a solid 69 at TPC Southwind, leaving him six under par.
Tommy Fleetwood also sat at six under after a flawless, bogey‑free 68. Fleetwood reflected on his round, saying, “I played a very patient round of golf.
It feels good to head into the weekend in a strong position.” He also praised Scheffler, noting, “Scottie is the player to chase. Whether it’s a tournament this week or the world number one, you can look up to him and try to match his level.
He’s back on top again, and we’ll see what we can do over the weekend.” The FedEx Cup playoff structure rewards consistent performance throughout the PGA Tour season. Players accumulate points based on their finishes in regular events, with additional points awarded for signature tournaments and majors. The top 70 in the standings qualify for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship, held August 13‑16. From there, the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship (August 20‑23), and the elite top 30 move on to the season‑ending Tour Championship (August 27‑30). Both the St. Jude and BMW events award 750 points to the winners, matching the points given for victories at The Players Championship and the majors.
After the BMW Championship, points reset to zero ahead of the Tour Championship, where all participants start at even par. This change, implemented in 2025, eliminated the previous starting‑strokes model based on FedEx Cup rankings.
The ultimate prize at the Tour Championship is the FedEx Cup title, which carries a $10 million purse (approximately £7.4 million) and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour. The stakes are high, and the competition fierce, as the world’s best golfers vie for the season‑ending honor. Live coverage of the St. Jude Championship continues on Saturday at 4 p.m., with broadcasts available on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, as well as streaming options that require no contract.
Golf fans can also explore booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland by entering a course name, city, or postcode on the provided search tool. Overall, Scheffler’s blistering 61 has set a high bar for the remainder of the playoffs, while McIlroy’s steady but unremarkable round underscores the unpredictable nature of tournament golf.
As the field heads into the final two rounds without a cut, the pressure will shift from survival to strategy, with each player aiming to either protect a lead or climb the leaderboard. The FedEx Cup playoffs promise drama, skill, and the occasional surprise, and with Scheffler firmly in command, the question now is whether anyone can mount a credible challenge in the days ahead.