Scottie Scheffler entered the final day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis with a two‑shot cushion, aiming to secure his first victory of the season since his January triumph. After a blistering second‑round 61 that set a new course record at TPC Southwind, Scheffler had built a three‑stroke margin over the field. However, a bogey on the 17th hole on Saturday trimmed that lead to two shots as he posted a respectable two‑under‑par 68, leaving him at 13 under for the tournament.
Chasing the leader, Sam Burns delivered an immaculate, bogey‑free round of eight‑under‑par 62, while South Korean talent Sungjae Im carded a solid three‑under‑par 67. Both men moved into second place, sitting at 11 under and remaining the closest threats to Scheffler’s advantage. Even though Scheffler now needs only one more solid round to claim his first trophy of the year—a title that has eluded him since his win at The American Express in California—he has not been idle. In the intervening months he has amassed five runner‑up finishes, including a narrow loss at the 3M Open, and has recorded nine top‑five finishes overall, underscoring his consistency and relentless pursuit of a win.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs, reserved for the top 70 players in the season‑long points race. Those who survive this first showdown will advance to the BMW Championship in late August, and the top 30 after that will earn spots in the Tour Championship, the season‑ending finale.
Winners of the first two playoff tournaments each receive 750 points, after which points are reset to zero for the final event. Starting in 2025, the Tour Championship will abandon the previous starting‑strokes model, placing every competitor on even par and letting the FedExCup standings determine the final prize distribution. The champion of the Tour Championship will be crowned FedExCup champion for 2026, taking home a $10 million prize and a five‑year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Scheffler’s third round in Tennessee was a mixed bag. After a bogey on the fourth hole, he bounced back with birdies on holes two, 11, 12 and 16. A mis‑hit on the 17th—where his second shot landed in a left‑hand bunker—cost him a par, but he managed to finish the round with a solid 68. Defending FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood also remained in contention, posting a two‑under‑par 70 on Saturday highlighted by a spectacular 30‑foot birdie putt on the 13th.
Fleetwood’s round moved him to eight under overall, five shots behind Scheffler, and tied him for fourth place with Jake Knapp. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, continued to struggle.
The 37‑year‑old former three‑time FedExCup champion was tied for 67th after a disappointing two‑over‑par 72 on Saturday, leaving him 19 shots back at six over par. McIlroy’s round was marked by inconsistency: he opened with a bogey on the second hole, recovered with birdies on holes nine and ten, but then fell back with a double‑bogey on the 18th after his tee shot found water.
He has yet to post an under‑par round this week, a stark contrast to his usual high‑level play. The tournament’s schedule continues to draw significant viewership. Golf fans can watch the final round live on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with streaming options available through NOW.
In addition to the live broadcast, Sky Sports offers a range of golf‑related content, including the PGA Tour schedule for 2026, a dedicated Sky Sports Golf podcast, and promotional offers for booking tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. Looking ahead, the pressure will mount for Scheffler as he seeks to convert his lead into a victory.
A steady, mistake‑free round could be enough, but the competition is fierce. Burns, having just posted a historic 62, will be looking to maintain his momentum, while Im will try to stay within striking distance. Fleetwood’s experience as a recent FedExCup champion could prove valuable, and even McIlroy, despite his current struggles, possesses the ability to turn his fortunes around with a single brilliant round. The FedEx St.
Jude Championship not only serves as a showcase of the world’s best golfers but also as a critical gateway in the playoff system that ultimately decides the season‑long champion. Every shot matters, and the stakes are high: a win here not only adds a coveted title to a player’s résumé but also provides a substantial boost in points and confidence heading into the next playoff stop at the BMW Championship. For casual fans and avid followers alike, the drama unfolding at TPC Southwind offers a compelling narrative of resilience, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether you’re tracking Scheffler’s quest for redemption, Burns’s breakout performance, or McIlroy’s battle to regain form, the final round promises excitement and high‑stakes golf that will shape the FedExCup race for the remainder of the season.