These are the players fighting to keep their seasons alive in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs…
With the men’s major season over for another eight months, this is the time of year when motivations can waver in the golf world. However, such huge implications for the results at this week’s FedEx St Jude Championship, the first of the three season-ending playoff events on the PGA Tour, are likely to sharpen some minds in Memphis.
Only 70 players have made it to TPC Southwind for the big-money showpiece, and 50 of those will progress through to next week’s BMW Championship, the last tournament before the 30-man finale at East Lake. Crucially, the 50 players who make it through will also secure their places in the lucrative Signature Events for 2027. So there’s lots to play for.
These are the big names on the brink…
Jordan Spieth
It is Spiethian in itself that the Texan has got this far without a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season. He could still progress to the BMW without breaking the first page of the leaderboard as he is 54th in the standings. But could this be the week he makes a big move to East Lake?
Max Homa
Homa is two places above Spieth in 52nd position and one behind fellow multiple PGA Tour winner Harris English. Making it this far is progress after his nightmarish 2025, but Homa needs a strong finish, likely a top-25, to continue his season.
Sungjae Im
The South Korean cash machine has not missed a FedEx Cup finale, making it to East Lake in all seven of his PGA Tour seasons. His tally of two PGA Tour wins belies his talents, but Im has made over $37 million in his career Stateside. He’s 53rd in the standings, so needs to hit form in the Memphis heat.
Shane Lowry
One wonders what Lowry’s season would have been had he held on to victory in his very first start, the Dubai Invitational in January. He then failed to convert a golden chance at the Cognizant Classic and said after a missed cut at the US Open that “golf is just not agreeing with me at the moment.” He’ll be desperate to finish the season on a high, but is 62nd in the standings so will need to threaten the top-ten to prolong his season.
Jackson Koivun
It is extraordinary that Koivun is even in with a shout of progressing. He secured his status as the last man in the field here at the Wyndham Championship and the PGA Tour boffins have figured out Koivun will need to finish in at least a tie for 7th to qualify. If the recent 3M Open champion manages it, he’ll be difficult to ignore as a Presidents Cup pick for American captain Brandt Snedeker.
Brian Harman
Players just inside the bubble who need strong weeks include Matt McCarty, Keith Mitchell and Maverick McNealy. Harman is one of the players trying to oust the American trio. He missed the cut at the Wyndham, giving the 2023 Open champion work to do after a T3 finish at the 3M Open. Harman is 65th in the standings and will need a top-ten at the very least to make it through.
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