Rory McIlroy is set to make his comeback at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week, with live coverage on Sky Sports. The world No.

2 is eyeing a strong finish to the PGA Tour season and hopes to add a record‑breaking fourth FedExCup trophy to his résumé. Entering the first of three playoff events, McIlroy sits 12th in the season‑long points race. Only the leading 50 players after this tournament will advance to the BMW Championship, and from there the top 30 will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. The two‑time consecutive Masters champion sat out last year’s FedEx St.

Jude Championship, but he is back this season as 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. **Tournament schedule (all events broadcast 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 crown in April, McIlroy has competed in just 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. Brad Faxon, the veteran PGA Tour player who serves as McIlroy’s putting coach, explained on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the Irish star now has the luxury of selecting his own schedule.

> "After winning back‑to‑back Masters titles, Rory is in a position where he can afford to be selective, both financially and mentally," Faxon said. "He isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the mental strain of constant media attention, endless fan interactions and the pressure of being in the spotlight can be draining." Faxon praised McIlroy’s patience and noted that the golfer often escapes the relentless scrutiny by taking short trips with close friends, such as a recent getaway to the Greek islands.

He added a light‑hearted anecdote about McIlroy’s daughter, Poppy, who once told him, "You already know how to play, Daddy," after he asked for a practice session. The veteran also warned that the hot, humid summer conditions in the southern United States will test any player’s fitness in the weeks ahead. "To contend for the FedExCup you need to be in top physical shape," he emphasized. **How the FedExCup points system works** Throughout the season, players accumulate points based on their finishes in PGA Tour events, with extra points awarded for the signature tournaments and the majors.

The top 70 in the standings have qualified for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. After that event, 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 stops receive 750 points each—equivalent to the points awarded for a major victory. Prior to the Tour Championship, points are reset, and all 30 qualifiers start on even par under the new starting‑strokes format that replaced the previous system in 2025. The champion of the Tour Championship will be crowned the FedExCup winner for 2026, earning a $10 million prize and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour.

**What a playoff berth means for players** Securing a spot in the FedEx St. Jude Championship guarantees a player’s PGA Tour card for the 2027 season and an invitation to The Players Championship. Those who make the cut to the BMW Championship also earn entry into next season’s signature events. The 30 who reach the Tour Championship receive a two‑year Tour exemption and a place in the following year’s Masters at Augusta National, along with potential spots in the U.S.

Open and The Open Championship. A notable storyline emerging from the early season is the rapid rise of 21‑year‑old Jackson Koivun.

After winning the 3M Open in only his third professional start—holding his own against a charge from Scottie Scheffler—Koivun secured a FedExCup playoff position after just five events, matching a record set by Tiger Woods. Faxon spoke highly of the young American, suggesting he could be a key member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team slated to play in Ireland next September. > "Jackson dominated college golf and is the hardest‑working player I’ve ever seen.

He has a superb putting stroke and an even better attitude on the greens," Faxon said. "I spend a lot of time at the Titleist Performance Institute testing equipment, and everyone I’ve spoken to about Jackson’s fit says he’s in a league of his own. His iron play is also impressive, and I’m a long‑term believer in his talent." 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.

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