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 clinch a historic fourth FedExCup crown. Entering the first of three playoff events, McIlroy sits 12th in the season‑long points race. Only the top 50 after this tournament will advance to the BMW Championship, and the final 30 will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship.
The two‑time Masters winner missed 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 line up alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose.
All three playoff stops are 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 title in April, McIlroy has played just six events, three of which were outside the majors. His recent finishes 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, McIlroy’s longtime putting coach, explained on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the 37‑year‑old now has the luxury of being selective about his schedule.
"After back‑to‑back Masters victories, he can afford to choose his events both financially and mentally," Faxon said. "Rory isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the constant mental pressure of being in the spotlight takes its toll. Every time he steps through a gate or sits down for dinner, someone is approaching him for a photo or a word." Faxon praised McIlroy’s patience, noting that a short getaway to the Greek islands with close friends provides a much‑needed escape from the relentless media attention.
He recalled a sweet moment when McIlroy told his daughter Poppy, "I need to go practice," to which she replied, "You already know how to play, Daddy." That anecdote underscores the golfer’s enduring love for the game and his ability to stay grounded. The summer heat in the southern United States will test players’ fitness in the weeks ahead. "You’ll need to be in top physical shape to contend for the FedExCup during these brutal months," Faxon added. Throughout the season, competitors accumulate points based on their finishes in PGA Tour events, with extra points awarded for marquee tournaments and majors.
The top 70 in the standings have qualified for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. After that, the field narrows 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.
After the BMW Championship, points are reset to zero, and the Tour Championship adopts a staggered‑start format that was eliminated in 2025. The champion of the Tour Championship will be crowned FedExCup champion for 2026, earning a $10 million prize and a five‑year PGA Tour exemption. Qualifying for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship guarantees a player a PGA Tour card for the 2027 season and an invitation to The Players Championship. Those who make the BMW Championship secure spots in next season’s signature events, while the 30 who reach the Tour Championship receive a two‑year exemption and an invitation to the Masters at Augusta National, along with potential entries into the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. One of the younger stories in the playoffs is 21‑year‑old Jackson Koivun, who captured the 3M Open in just his third professional start.
His rapid ascent earned him a FedExCup playoff berth after only five events, tying Tiger Woods’ record for fastest qualification. Faxon praised Koivun’s work ethic and natural putting talent, saying, "He has a great stroke and an even better attitude. I met him at the Titleist Performance Institute, and everyone who fitted his clubs said no one is close to his level.
He also hits his irons exceptionally well. I’m a long‑term believer in Jackson Koivun." 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. For golfers looking to book a round, more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland are available online. Simply enter a course name, city, or postcode to find the best rates.