MEMPHIS, TN – August 12, 2023 – Tommy Fleetwood fired a second-round 64 too take a one-stroke lead over Scottie Scheffler at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.The tournament, boasting a $20 million purse, is crucial for players vying to advance to the BMW Championship and secure positions in the lucrative signature events for the 2024 season.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler,seeking his fifth victory of the 2023 season,carded a 65 and remains in contention. He has maintained a streak of top-10 finishes dating back to March, showcasing remarkable consistency. J.J. Spaun, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, and Andrew Novak are tied for third place, three strokes behind Fleetwood at 67.

The FedExCup Playoffs are structured with decreasing fields. Only the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings after the FedEx St. Jude Championship will advance to the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club outside of Chicago, Illinois, August 17-20. The top 30 then proceed to the Tour Championship at East lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rickie fowler and Chris Kirk both posted 66s, significantly improving thier playoff standings and are projected to move inside the top 50.Bud Cauley and Jhonattan Vegas also positioned themselves favorably for advancement. Cauley, currently 53rd in the FedExCup standings, is making a strong push to extend his season.

Players on the bubble, including Jordan Spieth, faced challenges. Spieth’s 70 leaves his playoff future uncertain. The scoring surroundings at TPC Southwind is particularly impactful, as higher scores on the leaderboard translate to more FedExCup points and greater opportunities for players to climb the standings.

Fleetwood, currently ranked 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking, is seeking his first PGA Tour victory. He has a strong international record, including two Ryder Cup appearances for Team Europe, and has consistently contended in high-profile events. A near-miss at the Travelers Championship in June, where a three-putt on the 18th hole cost him the win against Keegan Bradley, fuels his determination.

TPC Southwind, designed by Ron Garl, has hosted the FedEx St. Jude Championship since 2019. the course features challenging greens and strategic bunkering, demanding precision and course management from players. The tournament benefits the st. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,adding a philanthropic dimension to the competition.