The stage is set for the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday, Aug. 16, at TPC Southwind. Scottie Scheffler has quickly extended his lead to seven strokes and sits at 16-under, extinguishing much of the hope for final-round drama—but there is still plenty at stake.
While Scheffler is in position to close out the first event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs, the rest of the field is fighting to improve its standing. Sunday’s results will determine which players advance to next week’s BMW Championship in St. Louis.
Of the sizable $20 million purse, the winner of the FedEx St. Jude Championship will take home $3.6 million. The champion will also earn 750 FedExCup points, but for many players, the biggest priority is staying inside the top 50 in the FedExCup standings.
Maverick McNealy, currently T19 at 4-under and hovering around the FedExCup top-50 cutoff, knows exactly what is on the line. After his round Sunday, McNealy emphasized the importance of making the next stage of the playoffs.
“I think the top 50 number is probably the most important number on the PGA TOUR right now. I’m excited to get to St. Louis and just take a Hail Mary swing to see if I can get into the TOUR Championship, which is the goal every year,” McNealy said.
This week’s event featured the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings, with the field set to drop to 50 after Sunday’s final round. Those 50 players will advance to the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club and earn exemptions into all 2027 Signature Events. From there, the field will narrow to 30 for the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club, where the FedExCup champion will be crowned.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship purse is $20 million, with $3.6 million going to the champion.
