The world’s top male golfers have returned from the Olympics where Scottie Scheffler took his familiar spot at the head of affairs, so attention now turns to the money-spinning FedEx Cup playoffs, which start at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
Only the top 70 in the rankings have gained an invite to the Tennessee test and the top 50 will gain their place in the next round, the BMW Championship.
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FedEx St Jude Championship Golf Tips
- Rory McIlroy to win the FedEx St Jude Championship @ 8/1
- Corey Conners to win the FedEx St Jude Championship @ 30/1
- Aaron Rai to win the FedEx St Jude Championship @ 40/1
McIlroy getting back in the swing of things
Rory McIlroy has had his disappointments in recent big tournaments – he threw away the US Open with poor putting in the final few holes before missing the cut at The Open, but there have been signs he could make a strong FedEx Cup challenge in the next few weeks.
He was just out of the medals in fifth at Paris and that should have given him a lift even though he has tasted success this year, winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry and claiming an individual victory at the Wells Fargo Championship.
McIlroy has had three top-10 finishes at TPC Southwind, including third last year when he closed strongly with a 65 that left him just one shot shy of making a play-off.
He has the potential to do even better this time around and can get his playoffs quest off to the best possible start in Memphis.
Consistent Conners looks a Southwind threat
Canada’s Corey Conners was ninth in Paris when, like McIlroy, he closed with a 66 and he is the sort of quality tee-to-green performer who should do well on the Southwind layout.
He has played at the venue seven times and produced his best finish of sixth last year when he shot 65 for both weekend rounds.
Conners has not finished outside the top 30 in any of his last 10 tournaments and he can make his presence felt in Memphis this week.
Rai will be buzzing after Wyndham win
Aaron Rai claimed his first PGA Tour success at last week’s Wyndham Championship and, while most of the big guns gave the tournament a swerve, his confidence will be sky-high.
That performance came after he was second at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, seventh at the John Deere Classic and fourth at the Scottish Open.
He should also be encouraged by the fact Lucas Glover claimed the win at Southwind last year after triumphing at the Wyndham the previous week.
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