The FedExCup Playoffs have arrived, and only the top 70 players in the standings remain to compete for massive purses and plenty of other perks.
After this week, that number gets whittled down to 50.
After that, 30.
And whoever outlasts that final field of 30 will be crowned FedExCup champion.
That’s the gist of how the FedExCup Playoffs work these days.
There used to be a thing called “Starting Strokes,” but everyone hated it, so they got rid of it.
Frankly, people aren’t exactly in love with the playoff format in general, and the new TOUR leadership has already made plans to scrap it after 2027 in favor of match play.
We support this endeavor.
Apparently, FedEx—who has spent more than $1 billion investing in the PGA TOUR since 2007—does not.
There are rumors circulating this week that FedEx is considering pulling out when its current deal expires after 2027.
Future of FedEx’s PGA TOUR Deal in Question as Playoffs Begin
So, as we tee off the penultimate playing of the FedExCup Playoffs in their current form, who is most in danger of missing the top 50, seeing their season come to an end, and what do they need to do to keep going?
Here’s the MINIMUM FINISH required at the FedEx St. Jude Championship for players to play their way into the top 50, make the BMW and qualify for 2027 Signature Events.
51. Harris English: solo 31st
52. Max Homa: two-way T25
53. Sungjae Im: two-way T24
54. Jordan Spieth: solo… pic.twitter.com/HtWVe0uXuD— Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) August 10, 2026
Key Stats for the St. Jude Championship
- Prioritize accuracy over raw distance. TPC Southwind favored accurate drivers last year, so lean toward players who consistently find fairways and avoid the big numbers rather than pure bombers.
- Ball-striking mattered more than putting. Approach play accounted for 37.6% of scoring variance, while off-the-tee jumped to 21.2%—well above the PGA TOUR average. Target strong Strokes Gained: Approach + Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee profiles.
- This is a course where talent tends to show up. The skill-separation slope was 1.34, meaning better players separated themselves significantly more than they do at a typical TOUR stop. Combined with the relatively low 2.48 scoring standard deviation, that points toward backing elite and favorite-tier players over lottery-ticket longshots.
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The TOUR is doing something slightly different this week, with coverage available across both ESPN’s linear channels and ESPN+.
Frankly, it’s a little confusing.
→ You can read all about it here
Weekly Bets: St. Jude Championship
We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew.
If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community.
Use code CADDYSHANKS2026 for 20% off.
Keith Stewart’s Picks
Sam Burns (+2200, DraftKings)
If there was ever a venue built for Sam Burns’ 2026 season, TPC Southwind is the place.
A fantastic southern scorer, Burns has five career PGA TOUR wins south of Fort Worth, Texas.
Bermuda Burns is back, and the combination of his excellent iron play, driver acumen, and TOUR-leading putting has Sam poised to take home career title No. 6.
Tom Kim (+5100, DraftKings)
In 2022, Tom Kim won four starts after earning his first PGA TOUR victory at the Wyndham Championship.
Now, four starts after his fourth TOUR win at the Genesis Scottish Open, Kim gets another accuracy-driven course that fits his game perfectly.
Sedgefield and Southwind are strong comparison courses, and Tom’s success in Greensboro should translate well to this TPC layout.
On a mission to make the TOUR Championship, Kim should continue scoring on venues where precision matters more than power.
Caddyshanks Picks
Patrick Cantlay (+3100, DraftKings)
Ole Patty Ice hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a while, but he has a history of playing well at Southwind—and an even better history of winning in the playoffs.
The last time we saw him was at the Rocket Classic, where he finished T8, so we know the form is there.
Hideki Matsuyama (+2900, DraftKings)
Well, I think I’ve picked Hideki four other times this year, and I have been dead wrong every single time.
That will not deter me from picking him again.
His recent form has been really good, and his course history at Southwind is even better.
He won here in 2024, and I think he can do it again.
Let’s just get this out of the way – my predictions last week couldn’t have been more wrong. They were bad – laughably bad, even. And let that be a lesson to all of us: never bet on England, or an Englishman, for anything. They’ll always come up short. Tommy Fleetwood, as kind and likable as he is, is sort of the poster child for the phenomenon, and I’m not sure what it will take for the English to break their funk. But the funk is real, it is ongoing, and hopefully the Gulf Stream keeps it on that side of the pond. Back to America we go.Quick 3M Open Preview
TPC Twin Cities is a far cry from the links golf we watched over the last two weeks, but they’re calling for some wind, and there is water on 15 of the 18 holes, so maybe the course will put up a little fight. With that being said, the wide fairways and benign rough set this course up to be a bit of a birdie fest, and it usually benefits the accurate drivers. Last year, Kurt Kitayama won with a score of 23-under. Right now, Vegas has the winning score line set at 261.5, which gives you an indication that scoring will likely end up in the 15- to 20-under range this year. Typically, the field for the 3M Open isn’t so top-heavy, but this year the world No. 1 is competing, and the odds reflect the disparity in talent. Scottie’s odds are just +250 to win, which, as you already know, is gross. Those are peak Tiger odds, despite the fact that he’s only won once this year. The next closest player on the odds board is Kurt Kitayama at +2500, but recent winner Tom Kim, along with major champions Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, and Lucas Glover, highlight the field.Key Stats For The 3M Open
- Prioritize accurate drivers over bombers. TPC Twin Cities has consistently favored players who keep the ball in play, and 2025 strongly rewarded driving accuracy. With water lurking throughout the course, avoiding penalty strokes is often more valuable than chasing extra distance.
- Target elite iron players. Nearly 40% of the scoring separation at TPC Twin Cities comes from approach play, making Strokes Gained: Approach one of the most predictive stats. Golfers flushing their irons tend to separate themselves here.
- Expect a birdie fest, not a survival test. TPC Twin Cities routinely plays well under par, and calm conditions can push winning scores into the 20-under range. Lean toward players with high Birdie or Better rates who can stay aggressive for four straight days.
The Details
Previous Winners
How To Watch
Featured Groups
More Details Here
Weekly Bets: 3M Open
We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew. If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community.
Use code CADDYSHANKS2026 for 20% OFF.
