Rory McIlroy is back on the PGA Tour circuit this week, teeing off at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The world No. 2 is eyeing a strong finish to the season and hopes to add a fourth FedExCup crown to his already impressive résumé, extending his record for the most titles in the competition. 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 from there the leading 30 will qualify for the season‑ending Tour Championship. The FedEx St.
Jude Championship, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, features a field of 69 players, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose.
The playoff schedule is as follows: - August 13‑16: FedEx St. Jude Championship (TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN) - August 20‑23: BMW Championship (Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO) - August 27‑30: Tour Championship (East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, GA) Since defending his Masters title in April, McIlroy has participated in just six tournaments, 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.
Despite the limited schedule, his long‑time putting coach Brad Faxon told the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that McIlroy now has the luxury of being selective about the events he plays. Faxon explained, "After winning back‑to‑back Masters, Rory can afford to choose his weeks not only financially but also mentally.
He isn’t physically exhausted after a round, but the constant media attention and the pressure of being in the spotlight can be draining. Whether he’s walking through the clubhouse gates or sitting down for dinner, someone is always approaching him." He added that McIlroy’s patience in handling that scrutiny is unmatched, and that a brief getaway to the Greek islands with close friends provides a much‑needed mental reset. "When Rory told his daughter Poppy, ‘I need to practice,’ she replied, ‘you already know how to play, daddy.’ That confidence shows he still trusts his game, and his playoff record backs it up," Faxon said. The summer heat in the southern United States will test every competitor’s fitness in the weeks ahead.
"You’ll need to be in top physical condition to contend for the FedExCup during these brutal months," Faxon warned. Throughout the season, players accumulate points based on their finishes in PGA Tour events, with extra points awarded for major championships and signature tournaments. The top 70 in the standings qualify for the FedEx St.
Jude Championship; the top 50 after that move on to the BMW Championship, and the final 30 earn spots in the Tour Championship. Winners of the first two playoff stops receive 750 points each—equivalent to the points awarded for a major victory—before the points are reset for the final event.
Starting in 2025, the Tour Championship will abandon the staggered‑start format. All 30 qualifiers will begin the final round at even par, making the competition a pure stroke‑play showdown. The champion of the Tour Championship will claim the 2026 FedExCup title, a $10 million prize (approximately £7.4 million) and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Qualifying for the FedEx St. Jude Championship also guarantees a player a PGA Tour card for the 2027 season and an invitation to The Players Championship. Those who advance to the BMW Championship secure entry into next season’s signature events, while the 30 who reach the Tour Championship receive a two‑year exemption, a spot in the Masters at Augusta National, and likely entries into the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
One of the younger names making headlines is 21‑year‑old Jackson Koivun, who captured the 3M Open in only his third professional start, holding his own against a charging Scottie Scheffler. Koivun’s rapid ascent earned him a FedExCup playoff berth after just five events, matching Tiger Woods’ historic pace. Faxon praised the rising star, saying, "Jackson dominated college golf and is the hardest‑working player I’ve ever met. He has a superb putting stroke and an even better attitude toward the short game." Faxon spends considerable time at the Titleist Performance Institute, where he first met Koivun and evaluated his equipment.
"Every fitter we consulted said no one is close to what this kid is doing. His iron play is also excellent, and I’m excited about his future," Faxon added, emphasizing his long‑term belief in Koivun’s potential, especially with the Ryder Cup looming in Ireland next September. The FedExCup Playoffs kick off on Thursday with the 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 those looking to play a round themselves, the PGA Tour’s booking platform offers access to over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. In summary, Rory McIlroy’s return to competitive golf comes at a crucial juncture in the FedExCup race. With a selective schedule, seasoned mentorship, and a clear goal of securing a fourth title, he is poised to make a decisive impact. The combination of his talent, mental resilience, and strategic tournament choices could well see him add another chapter to his already storied career.