Here are 5 best groups to watch for first two rounds of FedEx St. Jude Championship
From Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele to Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa, the FedEx St. Jude Championship will feature some of the world's best golfers when it tees off at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
The action is scheduled to begin at 7:20 a.m. Thursday when Justin Rose and Ben Griffin get started on No. 1 at the 70-player field, no-cut tournament. Every 10 minutes until 1:15 p.m., a new pairing tees off.
Who is grouped together for the first two days of the signature event is determined by the FedEx Cup Playoff standings − which has created some juicy partnerships. Here are the top five groupings for the first two days of the tournament.
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele
Obviously.
Scheffler is No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking and the FedEx Cup standings. Schauffele is No. 2 in both.
Schauffele has won two majors this year. Scheffler has won a gold medal and The Masters.
Scheffler is the favorite to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Schauffele has the second-best odds.
They will tee off at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday and 9:35 a.m. on Friday.
Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa
McIlroy and Morikawa have not only had big success on Tour this year, they have both enjoyed strong showings at TPC Southwind.
McIlroy finished tied for third last year, while Morikawa tied for 13th. In 2022, Morikawa tied for fifth. In 2021, McIlroy tied for 12th and Morikawa tied for 26th.
Could this be the year one of them breaks through and winds up hoisting the trophy on Sunday?
They will tee off together at 9:45 a.m. Thursday and 12:45 p.m. Friday.
Tommy Fleetwood and Cameron Young
Tommy Fleetwood has not played since capturing the silver medal at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 4, but he is still looking for his first career PGA Tour victory.
So, too, is Cameron Young.
But both Fleetwood and Young are knocking on the door. Apart from Fleetwood's silver, he has three top-10 finishes this season. And Young has six top-10 finishes in 2024.
They will tee off together at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Sahith Theegala and Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama claimed the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and Theegala has seven top-10 finishes in 2024.
Both gave it a go at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last year, finishing tied for 13th and tied for 16th, respectively.
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Pairing the more seasoned 32-year-old Matsuyama with the up-and-coming 26-year-old Theegala also makes for a potentially intriguing storyline.
They will tee off together at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Max Greyserman and Mackenzie Hughes
Max Greyserman is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes, including last week's Wyndham Championship. The rookie had his chances to win the event.
The veteran, steady-handed Hughes has a pair of PGA Tour victories in his career and three top-10 finishes this season.
They will tee off together at 7:40 a.m. Thursday and 10:40 a.m. Friday.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: FedEx St. Jude Championship: 5 best groups to watch first two rounds
