The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship tees off Thursday, August 7, at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. This is the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Only the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings are eligible. With no cut this week, every player will compete across all four rounds.
This year’s field includes top-ranked names like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Thomas. Rory McIlroy is skipping the event, which changes the dynamic of the top tier. Hideki Matsuyama, the 2024 winner, returns to defend his title. For those looking to run their own sportsbook during the FedEx Cup Playoffs, check out WagerHome.com and get set up with a full PPH platform today.
Scheffler Preview – All Eyes on the Favorite
Scottie Scheffler enters as the clear betting favorite at +280. He’s won four events in 2025, including two majors—The Open and the PGA Championship. Since the Masters, his worst finish has been T-8. That type of run has placed him at the top of nearly every stat category on Tour.
Scheffler ranks first in strokes gained tee-to-green, second in strokes gained approach, and is also top 5 in fairways gained. His putter has been streaky, but he’s improved recently on firm Bermuda greens, which will help at TPC Southwind. Even when his putting struggles, his ball-striking keeps him in every tournament.
Last year, he finished fourth here, and with McIlroy sitting out, the road to a win looks more open. Scheffler has shown he can handle pressure and win in strong fields. Expect him to be in one of the final pairings again this weekend.
Schauffele Preview – Trending at the Right Time
Xander Schauffele is second on the odds board at +1600. He’s coming off back-to-back top-10s at the Scottish and British Opens, with a T-8 and T-7 finish. He also posted a T-12 at the U.S. Open and a T-8 at the Masters earlier this year.
His game fits TPC Southwind well. He’s finished T-2 and T-6 at this event in recent years. He ranks inside the top 10 in total strokes gained over his last 12 rounds and has improved his approach play and putting in recent weeks.
Schauffele is looking for his first win of the 2025 season. His last win came during the 2024 majors, and he’s rounding back into form just in time for the playoffs. With consistent top finishes and a strong course record, he’s a serious threat to win this week.
Other Contenders to Watch
Justin Thomas (+2200) is another top name to watch. He’s inside the top five in the current FedEx Cup standings and has won before at TPC Southwind. His recent form includes top-15 finishes at both The Open and Travelers.
Viktor Hovland (+3500) finished second here last year and continues to show strong iron play. He also won the Valspar Championship earlier this season and was third at the U.S. Open. Hovland is one of only a few players in the field who rank top-25 in both strokes gained tee-to-green and putting on Bermuda greens.
Russell Henley (+3000) is also in form with two top-10s at majors this summer. He’s one of the best approach players in the field and has been gaining strokes on the green. Henley finished inside the top 10 in four straight events entering Memphis.
Course Preview – TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind is a par-70 course that measures 7,233 yards. It features firm Bermuda greens, water hazards on 11 holes, and thick rough. The course has hosted PGA Tour events since 1989 and is known for requiring accuracy off the tee and precise mid-iron play.
Birdie chances are limited, with only two par-5 holes and 10 par-4s measuring between 400-500 yards. Most scoring will happen on approach shots from 150 to 175 yards. Players who keep the ball in play and scramble well tend to succeed here.
Past winners at TPC Southwind include Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, and Daniel Berger. Strong iron play and solid putting on Bermuda surfaces are common traits among players who perform well on this course. With no cut this week, even slow starters will have a chance to move up with a good weekend.
PPH Betting Prediction
The odds show a clear gap between Scheffler and the rest of the field. But golf is hard to predict, and Scheffler at +280 doesn’t offer much value. That makes Schauffele a good alternative at +1600, especially with his recent form and strong results at TPC Southwind. His steady game from tee to green gives him a real shot to win.
Another option is to look at Schauffele in the “without Scheffler” market at +1200. For a deeper play, consider Viktor Hovland at +3500 or Russell Henley at +3000, both trending with strong approach numbers. If you’re looking to capitalize on golf betting with your own sportsbook, WagerHome.com offers everything you need to get started as a pay-per-head bookie.
Pick: Xander Schauffele +1600
