Scottie Scheffler displayed a textbook performance at TPC Southwind, clinching an eight‑stroke triumph in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Entering the final round with a two‑shot advantage, the 30‑year‑old four‑time major champion remained composed as the heat in Memphis intensified, methodically dismantling the course to card a 66 and finish the tournament at 17 under par. The win cements Scheffler as the third‑youngest player in PGA Tour history to amass 21 victories, trailing only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. While the milestone could have arrived sooner—he has already finished runner‑up five times this season—this dominant display underscores his ability to convert opportunities when they arise.
"Winning out here is never easy," Scheffler reflected after his round. "My season has shown just how tough the competition is.
We have a deep field of talented guys, and although I have played solid golf all year, I haven’t always been spectacular. I’ve had close calls and lost a couple of playoffs, so it felt great to finally hold the lead and build on it as the round progressed. It’s like I’ve been hearing the same message all year: ‘You’re playing well, you’re close.’" The day was not without a hiccup.
On the third hole, Scheffler’s bunker chip struck a sprinkler head, ricocheting into a water hazard and resulting in a bogey. He quickly shook off the mishap, birdieing the next two holes and later adding three more birdies on the back nine to finish four under for the day. "I just wanted to execute my game plan," he said.
"When that sprinkler hit my ball, I thought, ‘When will this stop happening?’ but I stayed calm, bounced back, and relaxed for the final stretch." South Korean Si Woo Kim claimed solo second place at nine under par, while Sam Burns dropped to a tie for third after a bogey on the 18th, sharing the spot with Alex Noren. Burns praised Scheffler’s performance, noting, "He played exactly how I expected—near‑perfect.
I would have needed a flawless round to challenge him, and I wasn’t close." Defending FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood struggled to find consistency, alternating two bogeys with two birdies to remain at even par through the front nine, before slipping to six under and a tie for seventh after four bogeys on the back nine. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, returning from a four‑week vacation, posted a 72 in the final round and finished 66th overall, indicating a modest start to his comeback.
Justin Rose was the only player to outscore Scheffler on Sunday, carding a 64. However, his earlier rounds of 73, 70 and 73 left him at even par and tied for 39th on the leaderboard.
Looking ahead, the FedExCup Playoffs move to the BMW Championship next week, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Notably, several high‑profile golfers, including Jordan Spieth, will miss the event. Spieth, who hovered around the top‑50 cutoff and briefly rose to 45th after a strong front‑nine, fell to a tie for 19th after a level‑par finish.
He admitted, "I needed a top‑10 finish this week and just missed it. I feel like I’m getting back to good golf, but I won’t be playing a tournament for a while." Harry Hall also hovered near the qualification line; his three‑under final round was insufficient to break into the top 50, leaving him 56th in the FedExCup standings. Fellow Englishman Jordan Smith ended the season 66th after a four‑over final round, missing the cut for the BMW Championship as well. The upcoming BMW Championship will begin its first round at 5 p.m.
on Thursday, with full‑round coverage starting at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Fans can watch all four rounds live via Sky Sports or stream without a contract on NOW.
The tournament promises another intense chapter in the FedExCup race, as the remaining contenders vie for the coveted playoff spots and the chance to close out the season on a high note.