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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
