The heat in Memphis during August is legendary. It’s the kind of thick, soul-crushing humidity that makes a golf glove feel like a wet sponge after three holes. Yet, every single year, the golf world descends on TPC Southwind because the stakes are just too high to ignore. For the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025, the atmosphere is expected to be even more electric—and a bit more cutthroat.
This isn't just another stop on the PGA Tour. It’s the gatekeeper.
If you’re a pro and you don't perform here, your season is basically over. Done. Go home and wait for January. Because this event serves as the opening act of the FedExCup Playoffs, only the top 70 players in the points standings get to even step foot on the property. By the time Sunday evening rolls around, that number gets whittled down to 50. It’s high-stakes drama wrapped in a charity gala, and honestly, it’s one of the few times you see multimillionaires actually sweating—not just from the Tennessee sun, but from the leaderboard pressure.
The TPC Southwind Grind
TPC Southwind is a beast. Period. It’s a par-70 layout that doesn't rely on massive length to beat you up. Instead, it uses water. Lots of it. There are 11 water hazards that come into play on nearly every hole, and if you're even a fraction off with your irons, your ball is gone. In previous years, we’ve seen more balls find the water here than almost anywhere else on Tour. It’s a ball-striker’s course, which is why guys like Scottie Scheffler or Hideki Matsuyama—who won the 2024 edition in a wild finish—tend to thrive here.
The 2025 iteration of the FedEx St. Jude Championship will once again test who has the mental fortitude to navigate the "Closing Stretch." Holes 16, 17, and 18 are terrifying when you're trying to protect a one-shot lead. The 18th is a daunting 453-yard par 4 with water lining the entire left side. One pulled tee shot and your chance at the $20 million bonus pool starts evaporating.
People often forget that this course used to be a steady, regular-season stop. But since it became a playoff event, the vibe has shifted. It’s tense. You’ll see players practicing on the range until their hands bleed because they know a top-50 finish secures their spot in all the "Signature Events" for the following season. That’s the real prize—guaranteed starts and massive purses for 2026.
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More Than Just Birdies: The St. Jude Factor
You can't talk about this tournament without talking about the kids. It’s sort of the heart of the whole thing. While the players are fighting for their careers, the backdrop is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Since FedEx took over as the title sponsor and moved the playoff event here, the tournament has raised tens of millions for pediatric cancer research.
The "Purple Eagle" program is a great example of how this isn't just corporate window dressing. FedEx names two of its Cessna Caravan planes after children of employees who have been treated at St. Jude. Those planes are often on-site or featured heavily. It’s a sobering reminder. You see a player toss a ball to a kid in a St. Jude hat and you realize that a missed three-footer isn't actually the end of the world.
Memphis rallies around this. The city's identity is deeply tied to the hospital and this tournament. If you go, expect to hear "Go Tigers" (for the University of Memphis) as often as you hear cheers for a birdie. The local food is also a major draw. Forget your standard tournament hot dogs; at the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025, you’re getting world-class BBQ from places like Central BBQ or the Rendezvous. It’s the only tournament where the media center smells like smoked brisket and dry rub.
Ranking the Contenders for 2025
Predicting a winner at Southwind is a fool’s errand, but we can look at the data. You need someone who is elite in Strokes Gained: Approach. You cannot fake it here.
- Scottie Scheffler: He’s the obvious choice. His ball-striking is statistically in another zip code compared to the rest of the field.
- Xander Schauffele: After his breakthrough major season, Xander has shown he loves the heat and the pressure of the playoffs.
- Hideki Matsuyama: The defending champ. He showed in 2024 that even with a late-round wobble, his short game is lethal enough to save par from a trash can.
- Ludvig Åberg: The young Swede has the kind of "nothing bothers me" attitude that TPC Southwind requires.
There's also the "bubble" drama. Keep an eye on the guys ranked 65th through 75th in the weeks leading up. That’s where the real TV drama happens. Watching a guy play the 18th hole knowing he needs a par to keep his job for the rest of the month is better than any reality show.
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What Fans Need to Know Before Heading to Memphis
If you’re planning to attend the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025, you need a survival plan. I’m serious. The humidity isn't a joke.
First, the "Birdies & Bubbles" tent is the place to be if you want air conditioning, but tickets sell out months in advance. If you're walking the course, stay near the 17th green. It’s a natural amphitheater and you can see the action on 17 and 18 without moving too much.
Transport is usually a bit of a headache. The tournament runs shuttles from various satellite lots. Don't try to "find a spot" near the course; the police will tow you faster than you can say "Fore." Use the official rideshare drop-off points.
Also, wear comfortable shoes. TPC Southwind isn't incredibly hilly, but the trek from the entrance to the far side of the course is a hike. And hydrate. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. Maybe a light beer in between, but mostly water.
Logistics and Tickets
Tickets generally go on sale in the spring. You’ll have options ranging from General Admission "Grounds" tickets to high-end hospitality suites like the 1986 Club.
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- Grounds Tickets: Usually start around $65-$80 depending on the day.
- The Lookout: A popular spot with great views of the 18th.
- Military & First Responders: The PGA Tour often offers discounted or free entry for certain days, but you have to verify through GovX or similar platforms early.
The Strategy Behind the 2025 Season
The 2025 PGA Tour schedule is designed to build momentum toward Memphis. With the introduction of more Signature Events throughout the spring and summer, the points race is tighter than ever. A win at a regular event is great, but because playoff points are quadrupled, someone could theoretically come from 40th in the standings and jump to 1st with a win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
This volatility is what the Tour wanted. They wanted every shot to matter. When you see a pro agonizing over a chip for 4th place instead of 5th, it’s because those 50 extra points could be the difference between making the Tour Championship in Atlanta or watching it from the couch.
Actionable Steps for Golf Fans
If you're following the action or planning a trip, here is how to handle the 2025 playoff opener:
- Track the Bubble: Start watching the FedExCup standings in July. The real story isn't who is #1; it's who is #70.
- Book Accommodations Early: Memphis hotels in the Germantown area (near the course) fill up by March. If you wait until summer, you'll be staying 30 minutes away in Downtown or Midtown.
- Download the PGA Tour App: They have a "Player Tracker" feature that is essential for following specific groups, especially since the broadcast often misses the guys fighting for that 50th spot.
- Support the Cause: Even if you can't go, you can participate in the "Birdies for St. Jude" programs online. It’s the easiest way to feel connected to the tournament's actual mission.
- Prepare for Weather Delays: It’s August in the South. Thunderstorms happen. If the sirens go off, follow the marshals' instructions immediately. TPC Southwind is a lightning magnet.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 is going to be a pressure cooker. Between the blistering heat, the unforgiving water hazards, and the looming threat of playoff elimination, it represents the rawest form of professional golf. It’s where the "best in the world" have to actually prove it under the most uncomfortable conditions imaginable.
Whether you're there for the world-class BBQ, the charitable mission, or the high-stakes golf, it’s a week that rarely fails to deliver. Just make sure you bring some sunscreen and a lot of patience for the Memphis humidity.