Weekend Stakes Rise in Memphis
Scottie Scheffler has done it again. He fired a 2-under 68 on Saturday to grab a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The stakes are incredibly high for everyone on the leaderboard, but especially for the top three. With a score of 197 at 13-under, Scheffler aims to end a sequence of five second-place finishes and multiple other top-four placements following his solitary victory earlier this year. This tournament isn’t just about the trophy. It’s about securing a spot in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings. Securing that specific total guarantees entry into every $20 million signature event for the upcoming season. According to ESPN Golf, Scheffler will face his closest friend in golf, Sam Burns, in the final group. It’s a rare and intense scenario that adds a unique layer of pressure to an already high-stakes Sunday.
A Unique Final Grouping
The dynamic between Scheffler and Burns is something the fans haven’t seen before in a final pairing. Burns shot a blistering 62 to tie for second at 11-under 199, just two shots back. Sungjae Im also shot 67 to join Burns in the tie for second. ESPN Golf reported that this will be the first time Scheffler and Burns are paired together in a final group. The chemistry between them is well known, but the competition will be fierce. Scheffler acknowledged the strange feeling of the situation in an interview. “It’s always a little weird just because I want him to have success so much and I think he wants the same for me,” Scheffler said. He noted that while it will be fun playing with a friend, the competitive nature remains. At the day’s conclusion, we will head out to play our game tomorrow and observe the final outcome. It will be competition like normal, he added. Burns faces immense pressure as he has zero wins to display despite a year defined by narrow defeats in the U.S. Open and British Open.
Beyond the top two, the leaderboard is packed with talent looking to survive the cut to the BMW Championship. Im shot 67 and remains in contention. FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood and Jake Knapp are both five shots behind Scheffler, having shot 68 and 67 respectively. The chase for the top 50 is the real story for many players. Jordan Spieth fell further behind after carding a 72, which moved him from a tie for fifth down to a tie for 19th. That round saw him fail to birdie any hole until reaching the 11th. Spieth is currently at No. 54 in the FedEx Cup, meaning he is on the bubble for the next week’s event. The top 50 is the critical threshold. Those players are assured entry into the lucrative signature events next year. As Scheffler put it regarding the tournament status, “The tournament is halfway over,” and he hopes to continue his good start. He tied the course record on Friday with a 61, showing he can score big when the conditions allow.
Breaking the Runner-Up Streak
Scheffler’s season has been defined by near misses. He has finished second five times and placed in the top four several more times since his first win in 2026. This opportunity at TPC Southwind feels different. He has played the course seven times without winning, more than any other player on tour. Yet, he is now in the perfect position to change that narrative. The heat at TPC Southwind reached 100 degrees during his Friday round, yet he still managed to tie the course record with 11 birdies. That kind of resilience is what separates the good players from the great ones. He hit iron shots close and holed putts, proving his game is sharp. “I wouldn’t say golf’s ever easy,” Scheffler said. “I did some good things out there. I hit some iron shots in there close and was able to hole a few putts as well.” His focus remains on the process rather than the outcome. “I just want to focus on each shot,” he stated, showing the mental discipline required to close out a tournament.
For Burns, the pressure is equally intense. He needs a win to validate a year of strong play. His 62 on Saturday was a statement round that got him back into the mix. Hovland and Im were tied for second after Friday, but Burns surged ahead with his low round. The competition will be stiff, but the final group of Scheffler and Burns promises to be a highlight of the FedEx Cup playoffs. As Scheffler noted, “It will be fun being out there with your friend but it’s also a bit weird at the same time.” The fans are in for a treat as two of the best players in the world battle it out for the title and a crucial FedEx Cup spot.
Final Round at TPC Southwind
The action concludes on Sunday at TPC Southwind in Memphis. The final round will determine who takes home the trophy and secures a top-50 FedEx Cup ranking. Scheffler and Burns will tee off in the final group, with the entire field watching to see if the streak of runner-up finishes ends for the world’s top-ranked player. The BMW Championship is scheduled to follow next week, making this weekend’s result vital for the season’s final stretch.
