Scheffler seizes 11-under lead at St. Jude by matching course record
Scottie Scheffler shot a 61 in the second round to reach 11 under and take a three-shot lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. The event starts the FedEx Cup playoffs with hot conditions and a $20 million purse.
Key takeaways
- Scottie Scheffler shot a 61 in the second round to move to 11-under for the tournament and take a three-shot lead.
- The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs with a $20 million purse.
- Defending champion Justin Rose is part of the field, with the week expected to feature hot temperatures and a large field of competitors.
- Matti Schmid recorded a hole-in-one on the No. 4 hole during the round.
What Happened
The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis saw world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler fire a 61 in the second round, matching the course record and climbing to 11 under for the tournament. He entered the day three shots off the lead but produced 11 birdies and moved into first place, a three-shot edge over Sungjae Im as play moved into the weekend. Other notable results included a hole-in-one by Matti Schmid on the 173-yard par-3 No. 4 and a water hazard issue for Scheffler at No. 12.
Additionally, the event serves as the opening leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, with a field including majors winners and top players, and a 72-hole format in hot conditions described as reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit with high humidity.
Why It Matters
The playoff format elevates performance stakes as players chase the FedEx Cup crown. Scheffler’s surge positions him prominently as the playoffs begin, while the broader field faces a demanding three-week, 72-hole grind in heat, which could influence pacing and energy management.
Background
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the opening playoff event of the FedEx Cup. The field is commonly trimmed and heated competition intensifies as players move through Memphis, St. Louis, and Atlanta, with the eventual aim of contending at the Tour Championship. The purse for this year’s event is $20 million, with the winner receiving $3.6 million. Justin Rose is the defending champion from last season, having defeated J.J. Spaun in a playoff to win here.
The playoffs also feature notable top players like Rory McIlroy, who is in the field after skipping last year’s opener, and who commented on the schedule and the importance of participating in the playoff events to support the Tour.
Sources reviewed
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