Rory McIlroy got off to a disastrous beginning at the FedExCup Playoffs, posting a four‑over‑par 74 in the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
The Northern Irish star, who had not competed since tying for 40th at The Open at Royal Birkdale almost a month earlier, seemed to have his game under control through the first 15 holes, standing at even par as he approached the closing stretch. However, a string of mis‑hits on holes 16 and 17, followed by a costly double bogey on the final hole after his tee shot landed in the water, sent him spiraling toward the back of the field. That 74 left McIlroy nine strokes behind the leaders, while a group of five Americans—including Jordan Spiell, who had been outside the top‑50 in the FedExCup rankings before the event—finished the day at five‑under par. Spiell, who is hoping to climb back into the top‑50 to secure a spot in next week’s BMW Championship, shared the lead with Michael Thorbjornsen, Kurt Kitayama, Jake Knapp and Michael Kim.
Spiell explained his mindset: “I tried to come into this week as patient and as non‑reactive as possible, to simplify my game and focus on winning the tournament without getting distracted by anything else.” His calm approach seemed to pay off, as he posted a solid round that kept him near the top of the leaderboard. England’s Tommy Fleetwood, paired with Spiell, also made a strong impression, carding a 66 that featured a spectacular chip‑in eagle on the par‑five third hole. Fleetwood reflected on his performance, saying, “I feel good. I didn’t play great during practice, and my overall game has been a bit up and down, but I hit the driver well today.
My iron play was a little shaky, but I managed it well enough. Hitting some great shots and staying under par on this course feels very encouraging.” World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who shared the marquee group with McIlroy for the first two rounds, posted a respectable 68, keeping himself in contention.
Scheffler commented, “I felt like I was hitting a lot of quality shots with my irons. I stayed patient and didn’t try to force anything. It felt like I was on the edge of having a good day for most of the round, and I think my patience paid off.” European players also featured near the top.
Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Sepp Straka all finished at two‑under, joining Scheffler in the upper tier of the leaderboard. Shane Lowry recorded a steady one‑under round, while Matt Fitzpatrick was left frustrated after a closing double bogey dropped him back to even par.
McIlroy could at least take solace in not having the worst round of the day; that unfortunate distinction went to Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who carded a 12‑over 82. Justin Rose also stumbled, finishing three over par, and fellow Englishmen Aaron Rai and Harry Hall each posted two‑over rounds. The Memphis event marks the first of three FedExCup Playoffs tournaments.
Only the top 50 players in the season‑long points standings after the final round of this event will advance to the BMW Championship, and the top 30 after that will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. McIlroy’s current position—12th out of a 70‑player field—means he comfortably remains in contention for the BMW Championship, and because there is no cut in these playoff events, he has ample opportunity to improve his standing over the weekend. Throughout the PGA Tour season, players accumulate points based on their finishes in regular events, with additional points awarded for the signature tournaments and the majors.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first playoff event, featuring the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings.
After this tournament, the field narrows to the top 50 for the BMW Championship (August 20‑23), and finally to the top 30 for the Tour Championship (August 27‑30). The winners of the first two playoff events each receive 750 points—equivalent to the points awarded for victories at The Players Championship and the major championships. After the playoff series, points are reset to zero ahead of the Tour Championship, where all competitors start at even par.
The champion of the Tour Championship is crowned FedExCup champion for the season, earning a $10 million prize (approximately £7.4 million) and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour. Live coverage of the FedEx St. Jude Championship continues on Friday at 5 p.m., with broadcasts available on Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports Main Event, and streaming platforms that do not require a contract. Golf fans can also explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, using online search tools to find the best rates and locations.
Overall, while McIlroy’s opening round was far from ideal, the structure of the FedExCup Playoffs gives him ample time to recover. With a solid field of competitors, strategic patience and a few key birdies, the tournament promises an exciting battle for the coveted FedExCup title as the series progresses toward the decisive Tour Championship.