Aug 4, 2024; Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France; Scottie Scheffler of Team United States reacts after winning the gold medal in mens individual stroke play during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Le Golf National. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
- With the Paris Olympics in the rearview mirror, the PGA Tour continues this week in Memphis at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
- The biggest names on the tour will be in attendance this week, including Olympic gold medalist Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and more.
- Check out the next section for our favorite picks for this week’s PGA tournament.
The PGA Tour heads to TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, this week for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, which begins on Thursday morning. Fresh off winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, American Scottie Scheffler headlines a loaded field for this week’s PGA festivities. He’ll be joined by Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, Collin Morikawa and more of golf’s biggest names as the FedEX Cup playoffs officially get started. Thursday and Friday coverage can be found on the Golf Channel and Peacock. Saturday and Sunday rounds will also be broadcast on NBC.
St Jude Championship Picks
- Scottie Scheffler top 5 finish (-105)
- Rory McIlroy top 5 finish (+190)
This week begins the FedEx Cup playoffs, which means the top 70 players from the regular season standings will compete for points and a spot in next week’s BMW Championship. Only the top-50 points leaders will play next week, and only the top-30 points leaders will play in the Tour Championship at the end of the month.
Thus, it makes sense to back the top golfers to get off to hot starts. Scheffler is currently first in the FedEx Cup standings and McIlroy enters in third place. They’ve both played well at TPC Southwind over the years. And with Scheffler coming off a gold-medal finish in Paris, I like the odds for him to finish in the top 5 this week. You can find those odds at bet365 at -105.
McIlroy has even better odds for a top-5 finish. He currently stands at +190 on bet365. He finished tied for third place last year and has won 3 FedEx Cup titles, the most ever. He clearly is comfortable in the FedEx Cup playoffs, so getting him at +190 for a top-5 finish is a great value.
St Jude Championship Longshot Picks
- Tom Kim top 5 finish (+650)
- Tom Kim Round 1 leader (+3000)
My longshot picks for this week both center around Tom Kim, who has shown flashes of brilliance at times this year. He finished in 8th place at the Olympics, but was one of only 7 golfers to card sub-70 scores in all 4 rounds.
He was 2 strokes away from a top-5 finish in Paris, and has 2 top-5 finishes to his name already this season. At +650 odds via bet365 for a top 5 finish this week in Memphis, I like the value of a half-unit play.
If Kim is going to finish in the top 5 this week at TPC Southwind and make a push to advance to the BMW Championship next weekend with a top-50 points total, he’ll need to get off to a hot start on Thursday. At the Olympics, Kim’s best score was a Round 1 66. Only 5 golfers carded 66s or better in Round 1 in Paris.
Kim was one of 3 players with 66s in Round 1. Xander Schauffele (65) and bronze-medalist Hideki Matsuyama (63) were the only golfers to come in with scores under 66 in the first round of the Olympic tournament.
That’s some elite company Kim was in. At only 22 years of age, Kim is hitting his stride as a professional down the back stretch of this year. I expect him to continue that ascendance into the ranks of golf’s elite.
At +3000 to be the Round 1 leader, Kim provides incredible value, especially as a guy who has shown he can hang with the big boys and get off to hot starts in important tournaments.
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The St. Jude Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour, attracting top golfers from around the world to compete for a coveted title and a hefty purse. As we look ahead to the 2024 edition of the tournament, there are several players who stand out as potential contenders for the championship.
One player who will likely be a favorite heading into the tournament is defending champion Justin Thomas. Thomas has been in excellent form in recent years, winning multiple PGA Tour events and major championships. His combination of power off the tee and precision with his irons make him a formidable opponent on any course, and he will be a strong contender to defend his title at St. Jude.
Another player to watch out for is Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman has been one of the top players in the world for over a decade, and his aggressive style of play could suit the challenging layout of the St. Jude course. McIlroy has a proven track record of success in big events, and he will be looking to add another prestigious title to his already impressive resume.
One dark horse pick for the tournament could be young phenom Collin Morikawa. The 2020 PGA Championship winner has quickly established himself as one of the top players on tour, with his precise ball-striking and clutch putting making him a threat in any event. Morikawa has shown that he can handle pressure situations with ease, and he could surprise many by contending for the St. Jude Championship title.
In terms of betting picks, it’s always wise to consider each player’s recent form, course history, and overall skill set when making your selections. Look for players who are hitting their irons well, making putts consistently, and have a track record of success in big events.
Ultimately, predicting the outcome of a golf tournament is always a challenging task, as anything can happen over four rounds of play. However, by doing your research and considering all factors, you can make informed picks and bets for the 2024 St. Jude Championship. Good luck to all the players and bettors, and may the best golfer emerge victorious at this prestigious event.
