Ryder Cup Stars Eye FedEx St. Jude Championship Glory
Aberg and Hovland Lead European Contingent at TPC Southwind
Two of Europe’s Ryder Cup stalwarts, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland, are among the prominent names teeing it up at TPC Southwind for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Southwind’s Challenging Nature Favors Precision Ball-Strikers
TPC Southwind’s demanding layout, characterized by narrow fairways, thick rough, small greens, and numerous water hazards, traditionally penalizes errant shots severely. This setup consistently rewards players who excel in tee-to-green performance, even those who may struggle with their putting. Recent winners like Will Zalatoris, Lucas Glover, and Hideki Matsuyama all showcased exceptional ball-striking, underscoring the course’s emphasis on controlled aggression.
Historically, dominant long-game performances have often been enough to contend at Southwind. Years past have seen champions like Dustin Johnson, Daniel Berger, and Justin Thomas overcome less-than-stellar putting displays due to their superior tee-to-green execution.
Hovland Finds Comfort at TPC Southwind
Viktor Hovland, who calls TPC Southwind a “genius golf course,” has shown a steady progression since his debut in 2020. After an initial 59th-place finish, his performance has improved incrementally each year, culminating in a second-place showing last season. His strong iron play and driving prowess in recent renewals suggest he is well-suited to the venue’s challenges.
Hovland’s recent form, including a third place at the U.S. Open and an eleventh at the Scottish Open, indicates he is in strong contention, particularly at a course that aligns with his skillset. His victory at the Valspar Championship, a similarly demanding track, further bolsters confidence in his chances.
Morikawa Poised for Resurgence
Collin Morikawa, available at a surprising 33/1, is seen as a significant value play. Despite recent missed cuts on links courses, his underlying statistics remain impressive, with strong performances in tee-to-green metrics at the U.S. Open and his last PGA Tour start. His past record at TPC Southwind, never finishing worse than 26th in five appearances, including a fifth in 2022, highlights his comfort and effectiveness on this layout.
Morikawa’s precision ball-striking is perfectly suited to TPC Southwind’s stringent demands. A strong showing here could also solidify his Ryder Cup aspirations, providing added motivation.
Aberg’s Potential Mirrors Zalatoris’ Breakthrough
Ludvig Aberg, drawing comparisons to Will Zalatoris‘ maiden victory here in 2022, is tipped as a strong contender. Aberg demonstrated his potential with a win at the Genesis Invitational earlier this year. While his putting was a weakness last year at TPC Southwind, his recent improvement in iron play, gaining significant strokes per round since June, suggests a turnaround is imminent.
Aberg’s overall tee-to-green game has seen a substantial upturn, making him a genuine threat if his short game can match his ball-striking. The course’s premium on tee-to-green play could be the catalyst for his breakthrough performance.
There’s not a static moment in the seconds before Ludvig Aberg pulls the trigger. Always moving. Trevino vibes. Quick one-two club tap, then go. pic.twitter.com/7mfNPl3R0i
— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) January 25, 2025
Rose Offers Value at Extended Odds
Veteran Justin Rose presents an intriguing option at 80/1, especially given his consistent performance in high-class events. His recent form includes four top-10 finishes this year and a 16th at The Open. Rose’s history at TPC Southwind is also encouraging, with a 11th place in a WGC event and solid finishes of 20th and 22nd in the FedEx St. Jude Championship’s new iteration.
Notably, he shot a 61 in the third round two years ago and held a strong position through the first three rounds last year. His combined score over the final two rounds of 2023 and first two of 2024 was an impressive 19-under-par, underscoring his potential on this course.
