FedEx Cup Playoffs Event No. 1
120 players
TPC Southwind.
FedEx St Jude Championship
TPC Southwind
Memphis, TN
Weekly Readers:
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Expert Picks – click here
Pick ‘Em Live Preview – click here
PGATOUR Champions Power Rankings – click here
Korn Ferry Tour Power Rankings – click here
How to watch – click here
TPC Southwind
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,243 |
| Par: | 70 (35-35) |
| Greens: | 4,300 square feet; Champion Bermuda. |
| Stimpmeter: | 12 feet. |
| Rough: | Bermudagrass at 2.5 inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards | 75/11 (in play on 11 holes). |
| Architects: | Ron Prichard (1988) |
| Course Record (last): | 61; Tom Lewis (not entered) 2020. |
| Course Tournament Scoring Record (last): | 261; Dustin Johnson (not entered) 2018 as full field PGA TOUR event. |
| Fact of the Week: | No player has ever made a FedExCup Playoff event their first TOUR victory since 2008. |
| Purse: | $15 million; $2.7 million and 2,000 FedExCup points to the winner. |
Notes:
- Field is now 120 (Hideki Matsuyama WD Wednesday morning).
- No WD will be replaced; the field is simply reduced.
- Top 65 and ties play the final 36 holes as this is the final event with a cut this season.
- Top 70 players advance to the BMW Championship next week at Wilmington Country Club (South) in Delaware.
- Second consecutive week on Champion Bermuda.
Previous Winners
Italics – not entered this week
| Year | Player | Notes |
| 2021 | Abraham Ancer (-16) | Won a three man playoff over Matsuyama and Sam Burns. Ineligible this week to defend. |
| 2020 | Justin Thomas (-13) | Won by three as he made up a four shot deficit on Sunday. |
| 2019 | Brooks Koepka (-16) | Ran over Rory McIlroy in the final group on Sunday, beating him by six shots and winning the event by three. Ineligible this week to defend. |
TPC Southwind isn’t easy yet it is only as difficult as the player makes it. Miss fairways? Bermuda rough and water will remind you that controlling the ball is the deal this week. There’s been no rain here until yesterday so that should help keep balls in the fairway and will help those who struggle. Greens are small so hit them and putting isn’t as difficult as last week on the same surfaces. Chipping and pitching here is the key if you can’t hit the small surfaces.
OAD
Spotter’s Game 2022
| 2022 Events | Golfer | Place | Total $$ |
| Sentry Tournament of Champions | Marc Leishman | T10 | 188,000 |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Keith Mitchell | T7 | 227,812 |
| The American Express | Seamus Power | T14 | 119,700 |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Jon Rahm | T3 | 445,200 |
| AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Maverick McNealy | T33 | 43,548 |
| WM Phoenix Open | Hideki Matsuyama | T8 | 248,050 |
| The Genesis Invitational | Patrick Cantlay | T33 | 64,000 |
| The Honda Classic | Sungjae Im | MC | 0 |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Rory McIlroy | T13 | 228,000 |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Daniel Berger | T13 | 327,222 |
| Valspar Championship | Keegan Bradley | MC | 0 |
| WGC – Dell Match Play | Paul Casey | T60 | 41,000 |
| Corales Puntacana | Emiliano Grillo | MC | 0 |
| Valero Texas Open | Corey Conners | T35 | 41,925 |
| Masters Tournament | Jordan Spieth | MC | 0 |
| RBC Heritage | Matt Fitzpatrick | MC | 0 |
| Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Ian Poulter | 13th | 69,803 |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Davis Riley | 5th | 299,300 |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Tony Finau | T41 | 33,750 |
| AT&T Byron Nelson | Will Zalatoris | MC | 0 |
| PGA Championship | Scottie Scheffler | MC | 0 |
| Charles Schwab Challenge | Max Homa | T23 | 77,700 |
| Memorial Tournament | Collin Morikawa | MC | 0 |
| RBC Canadian Open | Jhonattan Vegas | T53 | 20,387 |
| US Open | Xander Schauffele | T14 | 241,302 |
| Travelers Championship | Denny McCarthy | MC | 0 |
| John Deere Classic | Nick Hardy | T30 | 39,082 |
| Barbasol Championship | Chesson Hadley | T68 | 7,548 |
| Scottish Open | Tommy Fleetwood | T4 | 362,000 |
| The Open Championship | Shane Lowry | T21 | 120,286 |
| 3M Open | Cameron Tringale | MC | 0 |
| Rocket Mortgage Classic | Cameron Young | T2 | 635,600 |
| Wyndham Championship | Webb Simpson | MC | 0 |
| Total Events: 33 | Top 10: 7 | MC: 11 | $3,881,215 |
This Week – FedEx St Jude Championship
Each event and season we learn something or rather we should. Those of you “saving” Daniel Berger for this week learned a lesson. Same for those saving Matsuyama (WD this morning) and Tommy Fleetwood.
Here’s what we assume this week. Big names in the biggest events to make the biggest noise. This is not a track where 25-under is going to be the target and everyone knows the angle. Instead it’s a watery graveyard for guys teetering on confidence and stamina this late in the year. Sure, there will be some “surprises” in the top 20 but read Pick ‘Em Live Preview above and see how many are NOT.
This is the time to release the hounds as Montgomery Burns would say. If Sam Burns is one of them, carry on!
THE CHOICE: Justin Thomas
It’s now or next week so I’m going to fire at a course he’s won on before.
That’s it.
That’s the tweet.
My other choices are Cam Smith, Tyrrell Hatton or Sam Burns so one of those three will be it next week.
Thank god this is almost over.
If Spotter begins in September, I’m gonna kill him!
I need time to HEAL MY SOUL.
Warm Blankets: The guys who should. Safe selections that will help maintain leads. Opinions on why or why not for this event or save for later.
Rory McIlroy (+1000): Worst finishes this season are on Bermuda but I’m nit picking. Hasn’t played Bermuda since T33 at TPC Sawgrass.
Scottie Scheffler (+1400): In the fight until Sunday last year. A bit has changed since last August! Playing for the fifth time here so the code should be cracked.
Patrick Cantlay (+1600): Top 10 machine is only missing the big trophy. Full bag, no questions to be asked. Get all you can.
Cameron Smith (+1800): I’m going to let the rumour mill explode or be confirmed before I hop on. Hopefully that’s next week but if not, got it. Golf is NOT played in a vacuum.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1800): Perfect set up for him. Tight, tough and demanding. Yes, please.
Xander Schauffele (+1800): I can’t see him not in the top 20. If your game runs thru The TOUR Championship, he likes it there better.
Jon Rahm (+2200): I’ll let my buddies sweat this one out. We know it’s in there but I’m not sure when it’s going to jump back out. Not his favorite place as he didn’t show last year for a WGC event. Pass.
Tony Finau (+2200): Three in a row, no sweat, right? Right??? If he hits 66 of 72 GIR again it just might be. Perfect set up for him as putting isn’t the answer this week.
Will Zalatoris (+2500): The caddy split mid tournament last week was interesting to say the least. Chipping in and having fun on the weekend was a welcome sight. Is it all flushed? Too many question in a field too deep.
Spicy: This might be a week for sending out an “unknown” and saving a start. You just might get lucky. Or MC. Players better than +2500
Sam Burns (+2800): Careful here. Closed with 64 at The Old Course last time we saw him but I’ll remind you that moved him to T42. Bit of water in play for No. 155 Fairways and not much to play for at No. 3 in the standings.
Cameron Young (+3000): No value here for a non-winner but there shouldn’t be as he rolls in T2-2nd in his last two events worldwide, including The Open. I’d expect another quality finish.
Jordan Spieth (+3300): He’ll need to work it around tee to green and that’s been his strength this season.
Billy Horschel (+4000): Read HFC.
Corey Conners (+5000): Lovely outsider. Superb Tee to Green and that’s the angle this week.
Taylor Pendrith (+8000): Big test this week but his game has been flying as of late.
Scott Stallings (+8000): Home game. Hotter than a match.
3 AM at the Blackjack Table: Caution is thrown to the wind. Maybe not the best for this format but what the hell, right? Might throw these in if you’re in need of a miracle.
Maverick McNealy (+12500)
Alex Noren (+12500)
Adam Long (+15000)
Alex Smalley (+15000)
Funny Money Long Shots:
Check PGATOUR Pick ‘Em for deeper plays as well
Matthew NeSmith (+20000)
Aaron Rai (+20000)
Dylan Frittelli (+30000)
Last Time – Wyndham Championship
THE CHOICE: Webb Simpson – MC
Don’t let the WD fool you he wasn’t making the weekend. His no good very bad just terrible 2022 couldn’t be fixed at his favorite event. More evidence for you new folks that course history CANNOT be the ONLY measuring stick or angle we use on a weekly basis.
Learn something.
Those of you who went the Tom Kim route knowing that this was his last start found the perfect angle. Those of you who have buyer’s remorse can pop him in this week or next.
Warm Blankets: The guys who should. Safe selections that will help maintain leads. Opinions on why or why not for this event or save for later.
Shane Lowry (+1600): I’d be surprised if many have him left this late in a very good season but I’m not talking you out of him. Last time he was on Bermuda at Harbour Town he cashed T3. Super putter and excellent off the tee. Dead Last. Went home thinking he MC but had to fly back Saturday morning. Should have stayed in bed haha.
Sungjae Im (+1600): What’s the course record and where’s the first tee? Get me to the window. Make all the birdies dude! T2 for the second event in a row.
Will Zalatoris (+1800): Nobody would be shocked if this week was the week. T21. Can’t post 70-plus here and contend unless there’s a 60ish. Bigger story was him splitting with his caddy before the weekend. Yes, during the event.
Billy Horschel (+2200): Only player of these first four who have won in 2022. Nothing better than T21 in four starts since but went close here in 2020 on his last visit. Make it five starts as he adds T27. That’s what 8-under and four rounds in the 60s paid this week!
Russell Henley (+2200): Another course horse. Did everything but win last year. Big week last week. Converging trends are man’s other best friend besides dog. The UGA ‘dawg was barking. T1 Fairways and T5 on the leaderboard for back to back top 10s.
Corey Conners (+2500): Fantastic chicken and egg this week. He’ll probably hit every GIR but will he make enough putts? T22 is the best of three visits here and MC 2020 was the last one. T21 as he posted T3 GIR and T71 Putting. Eggs. Chickens. Use him THIS week.
Si Woo Kim (+2500): No brainer regardless of format. T15-T14 last two worldwide and MASSIVE HFC. Downside is only one top 10 this season, just like Webbers. Just like Webbers, WD. And just like Webbers a miserable 2022 wanders on. Roasted by two course horses.
Spicy: This might be a week for sending out an “unknown” and saving a start. You just might get lucky. Or MC.
Tom Kim (+3500): Unless he wins this week, it’s LAST CHANCE SALOON as STM aren’t playoff eligible. USE IT OR LOSE IT. What a talent. Wins by FIVE and started the week 4-over after 1. He’s 20 and gives zero honks. I love it!
Adam Scott (+3500): We did this last week. Keep reading. Tried to warn you, T76.
Tyrrell Hatton (+3500): Hard to get on board with no top 10 since February and first time. Talented for sure. 64 on Sunday vaulted him to T8. Only made five bogeys.
Denny McCarthy (+3500): Because I was interested last week. That’s usually how this goes haha. MC 72-71 and just might be out of gas?
Kevin Kisner (+3500): On his preferred surface. WD after 73 in Round 1.
Scott Stallings (+5000): Last three T10 or better. Heater. T13 to break his streak. WHAT A BUM!!! Now, it’s back to his native Tennessee this week…
Adam Long (+6000): Last four T25 or better. WD after 73 in Round 1.
Mark Hubbard (+7000): I read Bolton too. Two rounds of 70 (-4) gets you T61 here.
Alex Smalley (+8000): Repaying his sponsor’s exemption. T13 as he opened with 65 and closed with 64. It always seems easy when it looks easy.
3 AM at the Blackjack Table: Caution is thrown to the wind. Maybe not the best for this format but what the hell, right? Might throw these in if you’re in need of a miracle.
JJ Spaun (+11000): Not his preferred surface. MC.
Joel Dahmen (+11000): Announced they were pregnant last week and MC. Now that’s out of the way…T81 ain’t buyin’ diapers, fam.
Matthew NeSmith (+12500): All I can get. T36 is disappointing especially after 71 on Sunday.
Funny Money Long Shots:
Check PGATOUR Pick ‘Em for deeper plays as well
Rory Sabbatini (+16000) – T61
Brandon Wu (+17500) – T8 but was 2 back entering Sunday before 70.
Vincent Whaley (+20000) – MC 67-75 hahaha
Justin Lower (+20000) – T36
Ben Griffin (+35000) – My KFT dude in his home state closed 64-64 for 4th. Hope you took a shot here!
Glass Houses 