Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 12

Thomas, Hovland and Matsuyama Lead 69-Man FedEx St. Jude Bets as FedExCup Playoffs Open

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 12

Thomas, Hovland and Matsuyama Lead 69-Man FedEx St. Jude Bets as FedExCup Playoffs Open

Q: Which high-profile golf stars are in danger of a shocking early exit at the high-stakes St. Jude Championship?

The biggest high-profile name flagged by the SportsLine model is Xander Schauffele. Despite entering the FedEx St. Jude Championship as one of the betting favorites, the model projects him outside the top 10, making him a notable fade in a week when a disappointing finish could put pressure on playoff positioning and momentum. More broadly, several established stars arrive in Memphis needing a strong result to avoid an early postseason exit after this no-cut opener trims the field from 70 to 50. The players specifically identified as outside the current top-50 cutoff and under pressure include Max Homa, Jordan Spieth, Shane Lowry, Sungjae Im and Harris English. All are well-known names who could be vulnerable if they fail to gain enough FedExCup ground at TPC Southwind. The bubble adds to the tension. Maverick McNealy is sitting right on the edge at No. 50, meaning even a modest slide could knock him out before the BMW Championship. Jackson Koivun also only just secured a playoff berth and still has work to do to advance. So while Schauffele is the model’s headline upset candidate, the broader answer is that several recognizable stars — especially Spieth, Lowry, Homa, Im and English — are in genuine danger of a shock early exit because of where they stand entering Memphis.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 12

TPC Southwind hosts the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week, opening the FedExCup Playoffs with 69 players after Daniel Berger withdrew and only the top 50 moving on to the BMW Championship.
Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland and Hideki Matsuyama headline the betting card because the 7,288-yard, par-70 layout rewards precise iron play and course management more than power.
Matsuyama enters with five straight top-14 finishes and five consecutive T20-or-better results at Southwind, while Hovland has gained strokes on approach in eight straight starts after winning the 2026 Travelers.
Thomas brings eight top-20 finishes this season and strong course history, including a 2020 St. Jude win, while Tom Kim and Rickie Fowler were added for top-20 value on recent form.
The no-cut playoff opener carries outsized stakes because massive points are available immediately, making this week's form and ball-striking especially important for the race to the Tour Championship.