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Memphis is ready for playoff golf, and the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship arrives with one of the strongest fields of the PGA Tour season. TPC Southwind may not always generate the biggest pre-tournament buzz, but history shows that this event can deliver unforgettable Sundays.
Here are 10 things worth knowing before the action begins.
1. Memphis Usually Delivers a Dramatic Finish
The FedEx St. Jude Championship can feel like a quiet start to the FedExCup Playoffs. However, the final round often tells a completely different story.
The last five editions have produced four playoffs. Justin Rose defeated J.J. Spaun in 2025, while Hideki Matsuyama won a thrilling 2024 battle. Lucas Glover beat Patrick Cantlay in 2023, and Will Zalatoris finally earned his first PGA Tour victory in 2022 after another playoff.
That record makes Memphis a tournament worth watching.
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2. The Field Is Exceptionally Strong
The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship field includes almost every player inside the OWGR top 25. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are the notable exceptions.
That depth makes this week particularly attractive for golf fans. From Thursday morning onward, there should be plenty of elite groups worth following.
The event also offers a glimpse of what the PGA Tour’s future Championship Series could look like.
3. Why Is Rory McIlroy Playing?
Rory McIlroy’s decision to play in Memphis is one of the biggest questions of the week.
McIlroy previously questioned the value of the first two playoff events because players inside the top 30 can reach the Tour Championship without necessarily needing to play every playoff tournament.
Therefore, his appearance at TPC Southwind feels significant. It could indicate that the PGA Tour still has influence over his schedule.
Whatever the reason, fans will want to hear McIlroy explain why he decided to tee it up.
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4. Daniel Berger Is Missing
Daniel Berger will not compete in the playoffs despite sitting 60th in the FedExCup standings.
That is especially notable because Berger has won twice at TPC Southwind, accounting for half of his four PGA Tour victories.
His absence also means his season is effectively over because only the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship. Berger has not publicly provided a clear explanation for skipping the playoffs.
5. The Player of the Year Race Is Wide Open
The PGA Tour Player of the Year race may be one of the most difficult to predict in years.
Scottie Scheffler has been arguably the best player statistically, leading several key performance categories. However, he has only one victory so far.
Rory McIlroy remains a contender, while Wyndham Clark has two wins, including a major championship. Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup have also built strong cases with multiple victories.
If forced to rank them, Fitzpatrick gets my vote, followed by Clark, Scheffler, Young, McIlroy and Gotterup.
Still, the playoffs could completely change the conversation.
6. TPC Southwind Rewards Accuracy
TPC Southwind is not always considered the most exciting course on the PGA Tour. Nevertheless, its setup creates an interesting challenge.
The course rewards accurate ball striking and often encourages players to leave the driver in the bag. Recent winners have demonstrated that precision can be more important than simply overpowering the course.
Expect plenty of birdies, but also look for players who consistently find fairways and greens.
7. Jordan Spieth’s Sadness Index Is Falling
Jordan Spieth appears to be heading in the right direction.
After finishing tied for 19th at the Wyndham Championship, Spieth posted four rounds under 70 and produced an impressive par save to make the cut.
That performance has pushed the unofficial Jordan Spieth Sadness Index down to 1.3.
Perhaps the chaos is finally fading.
8. Two Players Worth Picking
The obvious pick is Matt Fitzpatrick. His combination of accuracy, strategy and recent form makes him an excellent fit for TPC Southwind.
The more unusual choice is Alex Noren. At 44, the Swedish veteran continues to produce competitive results.
Noren’s consistency makes him a fascinating sleeper pick this week.
9. Let Michael Block Be Michael Block
Michael Block remains one of golf’s most unpredictable characters.
His recent disqualification from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship only added another strange chapter to his story.
After his memorable run at Oak Hill, many expected Block’s spotlight to disappear. Instead, he keeps finding ways to remain relevant.
Love him or dislike him, golf is more entertaining with Block around.
10. Why Is Sleep Still So Difficult?
Finally, a question completely unrelated to golf: Why has science still not perfected sleep?
We have self-driving cars and incredibly advanced technology, yet falling asleep can still feel impossible.
Why does the brain suddenly become busiest at bedtime? Why can six hours feel both exhausting and strangely normal? And why do dreams so often turn into bizarre or terrifying movies?
Someone needs to solve this problem.
Until then, Memphis will have to provide the entertainment.
The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship has elite players, playoff pressure and a history of dramatic finishes. That should be more than enough to make this week worth watching.
