2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings

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Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas
Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas walk during the second round of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind on Aug 6, 2021 in Memphis, TN. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox / PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

The first leg of the three-event FedExCup playoffs tees off this week in Memphis, Tennessee with the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Contested at TPC Southwind, the field for the postseason opener is naturally stacked and features all the marquee names, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler, among others.

While there are many players to like, including each of the world’s top-10 ranked players, these are the ten we feel are the cream of the crop – at least for this week in Memphis.


10. Will Zalatoris

Will Zalatoris
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Will Zalatoris plays a shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills on May 22, 2022 in Tulsa, OK. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

Three top-10 finishes, including two silver medals (T6, 2nd, T2), in the majors has been the highlight of Zalatoris’ sophomore season… The 25-year-old enters off three solid, albeit unspectacular, finishes (T28, T20, T21)… Finished T21 last week in Greensboro with back to back 66s in the middle rounds… Currently ranks 1st on Tour in strokes gained: approach-the-green.

Odds: 20-1
Odds Rank: T7
World Rank: 14th
FedExCup Rank: 12th
Best at Southwind: T8 (2021)
Last Six: 21, 20, 28, MC, 2, 5


9. Tony Finau

Tony Finau Wins 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Tony Finau prepares to play a shot on 9th tee during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit GC on July 31, 2022 in Detroit, Mich. (Photo by Mike Mulholland via Getty Images)

While against weakish fields, Finau enters off two straight victories on the Midwest swing… Ranked No. 13 in the world, the Utah native owns four top-2 finishes in his 10 most recent starts… Somehow enters as the defending champion… Currently ranks 5th on Tour in greens hit… Best finish in Memphis: T27 in 2019.

Odds: 20-1
Odds Rank: T7
World Rank: 13th
FedExCup Rank: 7th
Best at Southwind: T27 (2019)
Last Six: 1, 1, 28, 13, MC, 2


8. Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Collin Morikawa on the 9th hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial CC on May 26, 2022 in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Ben Jared / PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

The two-time major winner has slumped this season and enters Memphis off three missed-cuts in his last four starts while owning just a single top-10 finish since early April… Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, the California native has fallen from 5th in greens hit (2021) to 64th in 2022… Still, the 25-year-old is a world class player and bound to bounce back soon.

Odds: 30-1
Odds Rank: 14th
World Rank: 8th
FedExCup Rank: 23rd
Best at Southwind: T20 (2020)
Last Six: MC, MC, 5, MC, 40, 55


7. Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm U.S. Open 2022
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Jon Rahm lines up a putt on the 14th green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Mass. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird via Getty Images)

Started the 2022 calendar year in typical Rahm form: 2nd, T14, T3, T10, but since February has just two top-10s in stroke play, including a win in Mexico… The Spaniard sits No. 6 in the Official World Golf Rankings… He currently ranks second on Tour in greens in regulation and remains one of the world’s longest hitters (4th in distance).

Odds: 20-1
Odds Rank: T7
World Rank: 7th
FedExCup Rank: 16th
Best at Southwind: 7th (2019)
Last Six: 34, 55, 12, 10, 48, 1


6. Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele Wins 2022 Genesis Scottish Open
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Xander Schauffele on the 16th green during Day 4 of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 10, 2022 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)

Schauffele enters in top form, including eight straight top-20 finishes highlighted by four top-5s and three wins – one of which was a team effort with Patrick Cantlay… Currently ranked 4th in the FedExCup race and 5th in OWGR… Best career result in Memphis was a T6 in 2020… Sits inside the Tour’s top 10 for both scoring (69.46) and birdies (4.47).

Odds: 18-1
Odds Rank: 4th
World Rank: 5th
FedExCup Rank: 4th
Best at Southwind: 6th (2020)
Last Six: 15, 1, 1, 14, 18, 13


5. Patrick Cantlay

2022 The 150th Open Patrick Cantlay-1
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Patrick Cantlay looks over his position on the 2nd hole during Day 4 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Oisin Keniry for the R&A via Getty Images)

The reigning FedExCup champion has enjoyed a terrific season with 14 top-15 finishes in 18 starts, highlighted by eight (!) top-5s, including five top-3s and three seconds… He enters off three consecutive top-10s, including a runner-up in the Motor City… Ranks 7th in strokes gained: total (1.741), 4th in birdie average (4.61) and 5th scoring (69.453).

Odds: 18-1
Odds Rank: T4
World Rank: 4th
FedExCup Rank: 5th
Best at Southwind: T12 (2019)
Last Six: 2, 8, 4, 13, 14, 3


4. Scottie Scheffler

PGA Tour's Scottie Scheffler 2022 U.S. Open
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: PGA Tour’s Scottie Scheffler looks on from the third tee during a practice round prior to the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club on June 13, 2022 in Brookline, Mass. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins via Getty Images)

The world No. 1 has cooled off some since that four-straight victory stretch, but remains in good form with two second-place finishes in his last five starts, including a runner-up at the U.S. Open… Enters the Tour’s postseason in the pole position… Ranks 1st on the PGA Tour in greens (72.2), 2nd in birdies (4.64) and 4th in scoring (69.259)… Finished in the top 15 in two career Tour starts at TPC Southwind (2021-14, 2020-T15).

Odds: 18-1
Odds Rank: T4
World Rank: 4th
FedExCup Rank: 5th
Best at Southwind: T12 (2019)
Last Six: 2, 8, 4, 13, 14, 3


3. Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy The 2022 OPEN Championship
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Rory McIlroy dejected after not reaching the green on his drive on the 18th green during day four of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews on July 17, 2022. (Photo by Richard Sellers for PA Images via Getty Images)

The 34-year-old Northern Irishman enters off a disappointing Sunday finish at The 150th Open where he led through 64 holes… Still, he enters with three top-5 finishes in his last four starts including a win at the Canadian Open… Statistically, McIlroy leads the Tour in both strokes gained: total and scoring (68.59)… Best finish in Memphis: T4 in 2019.

Odds: 11-1
Odds Rank: 1st
World Rank: 3rd
FedExCup Rank: 6th
Best at Southwind: T4 (2019)
Last Six: 3, 19, 5, 1, 18, 8


2. Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas Wins Sony Open 2017
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Justin Thomas plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae CC on Jan 15, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Sam Greenwood via Getty Images)

The world No. 7 has cooled off dramatically since claiming his second career major at the PGA… Enters off two missed-cuts and three straight poor finishes (T53, MC, T37) in his five starts since Southern Hills… Despite all that, Southwind is clearly a course that fits his game – witnessed by a win in 2020, and coupled with the “due factor,” we think Thomas bounces back in a big way this week… Ranks 2nd on Tour in birdies (4.64), 3rd in strokes gained: total (1.938) and 5th in scoring (69.453).

Odds: 18-1
Odds Rank: T4
World Rank: 7th
FedExCup Rank: 8th
Best at Southwind: W (2020)
Last Six: 53, MC, 37, 3, MC, 1


1. Cam Smith

Cameron Smith Wins The 150th Open Championship Old Course St Andrews
2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship Power Rankings: Cameron Smith walks on the 18th hole during Day 4 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How via Getty Images)

With three elite wins on the season, including the Players Championship and The 150th Open, Smith enters the postseason in the No. 2 spot in points and one of the leading candidates for the PGA Tour’s MVP award… Ranks 1st on the Tour in birdie average (4.76) and sits 3rd in scoring average (69.132).

Odds: 15-1
Odds Rank: 3rd
World Rank: 2nd
FedExCup Rank: 2nd
Best at Southwind: T5 (2021)
Last Six: 1, 10, MC, 48, 13, 13


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