Which big names crashed out of the PGA Tour's playoffs at the first stage?

The PGA Tour's playoffs will continue this week without some star power after several golfers' seasons came to a close at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. 

The $20m tournament at TPC Southwind represented the first leg of the playoffs, with only the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings eligible. 

Only the top 50 have advanced to this week's BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland. 

Expect another bubble watch this weekend, as the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake will only have the top 30 players in the field. 

Let's take a look at some big names who crashed out early...

Jordan Spieth

Ranking: 54

The three-time major champion hasn't had a poor season by any means. 

He started his season in February after undergoing wrist surgery last August.

Spieth only missed two cuts (PGA Championship, Genesis Invitational) but struggled to find his best form.

He is without a victory since the 2023 RBC Heritage and will now need to rely on a bit of faith from US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley if he is to make another appearance in the biennial contest this September. 

Wyndham Clark

Ranking: 56

The 2023 US Open champ entered the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a bit of confidence given his performance at the final men's major of the year at Royal Portrush.

But rounds of 60-70-70-68 saw the American finish 38th in the 70-man field and drop to 56th in the standings.

Tony Finau

Ranking: 66

The big-American probably had too much to do last week, given he entered the tournament 60th in the standings. 

Finau, 35, will likely turn to the FedEx Cup Fall to try and secure his spots in next year's signature events.

Aaron Rai

Ranking: 53

The Englishman has had another steady season with only four missed cuts. 

Yet the 30-year-old will be very frustrated, given he's very much in the debate for a captain's pick for the forthcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Min Woo Lee

Ranking: 57

Finally broke through on the PGA Tour this season with a win at the Texas Children's Houston Open. 

The Australian made a dreadful start last week, carding a six-over 76 and could never truly recover.

Still, he showed his peers that golf at the elite level doesn't have to be slow, as he played his final round in two hours and 10 minutes.

Chris Kirk

Ranking: 51

The American was 34 points shy of securing his spot to the BMW Championship and is this year's bubble boy.