Rory McIlroy is back in Memphis and hunting for his fourth FedExCup title – a record that is already kicking this year's playoffs into high gear. After a relatively quiet season, which hasn't seen him at a major US PGA Tour event since the Memorial in June, the Northern Irishman is fully re-entering the fray at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. His decision not to skip the 2026 tournament makes things particularly exciting, as he had opted out of this opening extravaganza in 2025.
The start to the FedExCup Playoffs this year is a true show of strength. With his current 12th position in the FedExCup Standings, McIlroy now needs to deliver, because only the top 50 advance to Memphis for the BMW Championship, and ultimately, only the top 30 qualify for the Tour Championship. This is a brutal knockout race over three events, where every shot counts.
Scheffler and Rose in the Field
The 69-man field at TPC Southwind is stacked with talent and offers more than just one reason to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Alongside McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler is also in the field, and defending champion Justin Rose aims to defend his 2025 victory. The pairing for the first two rounds promises particular fireworks: McIlroy and Scheffler will go head-to-head in pursuit of the best score. TPC Southwind, by the way, is one of the few playoff venues where McIlroy has yet to record a win, although he has consistently performed strongly here with three top-five finishes in eight starts.
McIlroy only confirmed his participation last week, thus ending speculation about another break. It certainly looks like, despite the lighter schedule in 2026, he is now putting everything on the line to build momentum in the postseason run. This is also urgently needed, as for the first time since 2021, he is entering the playoffs outside the top 10. The stage is set for an epic week!
