Scheffler Holds onto Lead in Memphis as Burns Shines and McIlroy Falters Again

Scottie Scheffler entered the final day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis with a two‑shot cushion, poised to capture his first tournament victory since the opening event of the year in January.

After establishing a three‑stroke margin at the midway point with a record‑breaking 61 in the second round at TPC Southwind, Scheffler saw his lead shrink by a single stroke when he made a bogey on the 17th hole on Saturday. He recovered to post a solid two‑under 68, finishing the day at 13 under par.

Trailing Scheffler, Sam Burns delivered an impressive bogey‑free round of eight‑under 62, while South Korea’s Sungjae Im carded a three‑under 67. Both men moved into second place, sitting at 11 under and remaining the closest challengers to the world No. 1. Despite the narrowing gap, Scheffler is now just one strong round away from securing his first trophy of the season, having not won since his early‑year triumph at The American Express in California.

In the interim, he has consistently been in contention, racking up five runner‑up finishes—including a close call at the 3M Open—and nine top‑five results. The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs, and only the top 70 players in the season‑long points race are eligible to compete.

Those who finish in the top 50 will advance to the BMW Championship in August, and the field will be trimmed again to the top 30 for the Tour Championship later that month. Winners of the first two playoff stops each earn 750 points, after which the points are reset to zero heading into the final event. Unlike previous years, the 2025 format eliminates the starting‑strokes model; instead, all players begin the Tour Championship at even par, with the FedExCup champion determined solely by final‑round scores. The stakes are high: the Tour Championship winner not only claims the FedExCup title and a $10 million prize (approximately £7.4 million) but also secures a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour.

As the competition unfolds, veteran Tommy Fleetwood, the defending FedExCup champion, remains within striking distance. Fleetwood posted a two‑under 68 on Saturday, highlighted by a dramatic birdie putt on the 13th hole, leaving him five strokes behind Scheffler at eight under and tied for fourth with Jake Knapp. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy’s weekend has been a stark contrast.

The 37‑year‑old, a three‑time FedExCup Playoffs champion, found himself tied for 67th place, six over par and a staggering 19 shots behind Scheffler after a two‑over 72 on Saturday. McIlroy’s round was marked by inconsistency: he was even par through the first 17 holes before a disastrous double‑bogey on the 18th after his tee shot found water.

Earlier in the round he managed birdies on holes 9 and 10, but bogeys on 2 and 13 kept him off the leaderboard. Scheffler’s third round in Tennessee was a study in resilience. After a bogey on the fourth hole, he rebounded with birdies on holes 2, 11, 12 and 16. A mis‑hit on the 17th left him in a left‑hand bunker, resulting in another bogey, but his overall performance kept him firmly in the lead.

Golf fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf, with the final round slated to begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Those without a contract can stream the tournament via NOW, and additional golf coverage—including schedules, podcasts, and booking options for courses across the UK and Ireland—are available through Sky’s platform. Looking ahead, the playoff structure ensures that every shot matters.

With the points reset and no starting‑strokes advantage, the Tour Championship will be a pure test of skill, where the player with the lowest total score over four days will claim the coveted FedExCup. Scheffler’s current position gives him a clear, albeit not insurmountable, edge. Burns, Im, Fleetwood, and a host of other seasoned competitors will be looking to capitalize on any slip‑ups.

For casual observers, the tournament also offers a chance to see emerging talent and seasoned veterans alike navigating the challenging layout of TPC Southwind. The course, known for its demanding greens and strategic water hazards, has already produced a low‑scoring round of 61, underscoring the high level of play required to contend. In summary, as the FedEx St. Jude Championship approaches its climax, Scottie Scheffler stands atop the leaderboard with a modest but significant lead.

Sam Burns and Sungjae Im are hot on his heels, while Tommy Fleetwood remains a threat and Rory McIlroy struggles to find his rhythm. The final round promises excitement, drama, and the potential for a new FedExCup champion to emerge, with a substantial financial reward and a multi‑year exemption on the line.