The 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs started with a bang as thrilling finishes occurred in two different aspects: at the top of the leaderboard and the FedEx Cup standings bubble. As the field was limited to just 69 players, with Rory McIlroy the only golfer inside the FedEx Cup’s top 70 to opt out of this week’s event in Memphis, all eyes were on Scottie Scheffler as the heavy favorite to win his fifth tournament in nine starts. While he flirted with the top of the leaderboard for a while during Sunday’s final round, we saw surges from the other three players isolated at the top with him, and when it was all said and done, we saw Justin Rose take down JJ Spaun in a thrilling three-hole playoff for the title. It seemed as if none of the four players—Rose, Spaun, Scheffler, and Fleetwood—could miss a beat, especially Rose and Spaun in the playoff, but with the way everything panned out, nobody could make a mistake in crunch time, which is exactly what we saw from Scheffler and Fleetwood following Scottie’s uncharacteristic misses for birdie and Tommy’s newest form of heartbreak from his final few holes. Meanwhile, we saw lots of drama around the top 50 bubble in the FedEx Cup standings, unfortunately resulting in heartbreak for guys like Chris Kirk, Jordan Spieth, Jake Knapp, and Wyndham Clark following the strong performances of guys like Rickie Fowler, Jhonattan Vegas, and Kurt Kitayama. There’s a lot to take in from the results at TPC Southwind, so with that in mind, let’s take a look.

Justin Rose capped off a remarkable week at TPC Southwind with a four-round total of 264 (-16), posting scores of 64-66-67-67 to secure his first win of the season in thrilling fashion. Rose, who had been lurking near the top of the leaderboard all weekend, saved his best for last on Sunday with an incredible stretch of four consecutive birdies down the back nine, charging into a playoff with JJ Spaun. That late surge showcased his trademark composure under pressure, as well as his ability to deliver in clutch moments, which is something that has defined much of his decorated career and something he was finally able to achieve following his heartbreaking playoff loss to Rory at the Masters, and he kept that momentum rolling in the playoff by seizing control, making back-to-back birdies on the 18th hole to outlast Spaun’s strong performance and seal the victory to punctuate what was not only a strong individual performance but also a testament to his resilience and experience on big stages. This win not only moves him up the FedEx Cup standings from 25th to 4th but also reaffirms that, even at this stage of his career, Rose remains more than capable of outlasting a deep and talented field.

While all of the talk has been about Rose’s breakthrough, and deservedly so, nobody should forget how JJ Spaun delivered an equally outstanding performance after matching Rose’s four-day total of -16 with rounds of 68-66-65-65 to force a playoff. Spaun’s Sunday charge was fueled by strong finishes on both nines, carding three birdies in his last four holes on the front nine and adding two more in his final three holes on the back nine. That closing stretch was a showcase of poise and execution, qualities that have been noticeably sharper since his breakthrough victory at the U.S. Open at Oakmont earlier this year. That major triumph seems to have unlocked a new level of belief in Spaun’s game, giving him the confidence to rise to the occasion in pressure-packed moments like these. The playoff against Rose was no different, especially on the second extra hole, where Spaun rolled in a clutch long birdie putt that sent the crowd into a frenzy and momentarily swung the momentum in his favor. While Rose ultimately matched him and went on to secure the win, Spaun’s performance in Memphis reaffirmed that he’s now becoming a force to be reckoned with in high-stakes situations, and his composure under the gun, combined with his sharp all-around play, makes him a legitimate contender in any field he enters.

For Tommy Fleetwood, it’s becoming a frustratingly familiar script—another stellar week, another close call, and yet again, the top spot on the leaderboard slips away in the final moments. His T2 finish at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship marks the 12th top-three of his PGA TOUR career and his sixth career runner-up, continuing a trend that has haunted him in big moments. Fleetwood looked poised to finally flip the narrative when he found a spark midway through the back nine on Sunday, but the closing stretch proved costly. A missed scoring opportunity with a par on the par-five 16th, followed by a disastrous bogey on the par-four 17th, left the door open, and Justin Rose and JJ Spaun charged right through it with late birdie runs. While the heartbreak was palpable, Fleetwood’s performance over the week was nothing short of brilliant. His four-day total of 265 (-15) with rounds of 63-64-69-69 showcased his ball-striking precision, which included his career-best performance off the tee as well as his composure and ability to go low against elite competition. Even in defeat, Fleetwood once again reminded the golf world why he remains one of the best players in the game, capable of contending anywhere and against anyone. The sting is undoubtedly amplified by the déjà vu of his last-hole heartbreak at the Travelers Championship earlier this season, but this week in Memphis further cemented his reputation as a world-class talent and one whose breakthrough on the PGA TOUR feels inevitable, even if it continues to elude him for now.

Reflecting on my picks from this past week, I took a pretty big gamble in saying that Scottie Scheffler at +280 makes the most logical sense even considering how juiced his odds were, and while he played very well all weekend long, he unfortunately couldn’t get a putt to fall on his final nine and fell just one shot outside of the playoff between Rose and Spaun. Still, Scheffler’s performance at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship was another testament to his incredible consistency. If the putter had cooperated down the stretch in Memphis, it’s very possible we’d be talking about yet another win to add to his already staggering 2025 résumé, but with a four-day total of 265 (-15) on rounds of 67-66-65-67, he locked up his 12th consecutive top-8 finish in a run of dominance that has become almost routine at this point. The truth is, it’ll be a long time before Scheffler finishes outside the top 20 on any tournament leaderboard or ceases to be a clear betting favorite as soon as odds are released. Week after week, he shows up with an unshakable all-around game, producing elite ball-striking, unflappable course management, and a quiet competitive fire that keeps him in contention regardless of the setup or the field. It’s easy to understand why many consider him to be on a Tiger-like run and undoubtedly the best in the world right now, and he’s building a season that could stand alongside some of the most dominant single-year stretches in modern golf history. At this stage, it’s almost becoming a foregone conclusion that Scheffler will claim the FedEx Cup when the dust settles, along with the $10 million grand prize that comes with it.

I also put a lot of my faith into Sam Burns to finish inside the top 10 at +320, Harris English to finish inside the top 20 at +130, and Chris Gotterup to finish in 27th or better at -125, three guys who have built up very impressive resumés that were in prime spots to build onto what they’ve already done and accomplished in 2025. While Sam Burns tried to make a late push on Saturday and Sunday after a tough first couple of days, all three of those guys finished pretty far back from where I expected, with Burns finishing at T28, English at T48, and Gotterup at T54. Although they weren’t in the spotlight this weekend, these three guys should be players to keep an eye on again next weekend at the BMW Championship. Wyndham Clark was arguably the biggest disappointment as I had him outplaying Jordan Spieth at +100, and although that was the case for the first three rounds, he fell apart on Sunday with a five-over 75, finishing five shots behind Spieth after entering the day two shots ahead and moving outside the top 50 to miss out on the rest of the Playoffs.

Even with all of the disappointment, there were a couple of bright spots as I did pick Justin Rose to finish inside the top 30 at +115, which turned out to be a steal after his victory and maybe a pick that I should’ve taken a bigger risk with by picking him to finish inside the top 20 or even top 10 with his long-shot odds. Russell Henley would’ve also given me some profit as well, as I had him defeating Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners at +130 in a three-ball pick, and while he did outlast Conners, he finished tied with Hideki after Matsuyama’s final-round 65, turning the final result of the pick into a dead-heat rule. In other words, a $10 bet at +130 odds would’ve given me a profit of $6.50 rather than the full $13 if I would’ve taken it, so while the pick wasn’t fully correct, there still wouldn’t have been any loss out of it.

While the battle at the top of the leaderboard will understandably dominate most conversations when looking back at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the race to secure a spot inside the FedEx Cup’s top 50 was just as thrilling, and for some players, just as meaningful. Several guys came into the week with their Playoff hopes hanging in the balance, knowing they’d need big performances in Memphis to keep their seasons alive. Rickie Fowler answered the call with a steady and composed T6 finish (66-69-66-69, -10) that vaulted him safely into the next stage. Kurt Kitayama made his charge with a brilliant second-round 63 as part of his T9 showing (69-63-72-67, -9), while Bud Cauley, who’s been battling his way back into form, posted a T14 (64-69-70-69, -8) that proved to be just enough. Jhonattan Vegas also thrived under the pressure, carding a T14 finish of his own (69-69-66-68, -9) to slide into the top 50. Their clutch performances came at the expense of some big names like Jordan Spieth, Jake Knapp, Wyndham Clark, and Min Woo Lee, who all finished outside the top 35 this week and, as a result, saw their Playoff runs end prematurely. It just shows how important it is to always keep your foot on the gas in the Playoffs regardless of whether you’re at the top of the leaderboard or not because one big round can help propel you in the long run.

With the opening chapter of the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs now written, the stage is set for even greater drama in the weeks ahead. TPC Southwind delivered its share of unforgettable moments, such as Rose’s playoff magic, Spaun building onto his breakout season, another gut-wrenching near miss for Fleetwood, and the continued dominance of Scottie. Just as gripping was the battle for survival inside the top 50, and now, all eyes turn to the BMW Championship, where the pressure will only intensify as players fight for their spot into the TOUR Championship before the field is cut to 30. From here on out, every swing carries the weight of a season’s worth of effort, and with the FedEx Cup and its massive prize looming, the chase for the PGA TOUR’s biggest crown is about to hit full throttle.