FedEx St Jude Championship Betting Tips: Expert Picks to land PGA Tour's Playoffs opener

The FedEx Cup Playoffs get underway at TPC Southwind this week, with 69 players competing for the FedEx St Jude Championship following one player's unfortunate withdrawal.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field as the FedEx Cup leader, while Rory McIlroy is also back in action after a lengthy break following The Open. But GolfMagic Editor and expert tipster Andy Roberts is looking beyond the PGA Tour's two biggest stars for his outright selections this week.

Scheffler remains incredibly difficult to oppose when his putter behaves, but his performance on the greens is without question the sole reason why he has only won once this season.

McIlroy, meanwhile, is returning from an extended break and also has one victory to his name this season, albeit a successful defence at The Masters in April. 

With both players not quite at their peak right now, Andy believes there is value further down the market. Let's dive in... 

FedEx St Jude Championship 2026: Betting Tips

Tommy Fleetwood – 25/1

Tommy Fleetwood strikes as a player trending towards a second PGA Tour victory this week.

The Englishman has been one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour, recording seven top-15 finishes in his last eight appearances, including three top-fives.

His latest effort was a tied fourth at The Open, where his putting once again prevented him from capturing a first major title on home soil. 

Holing crucial putts when it matters most down the closing stetch has arguably been the biggest frustration of Fleetwood's PGA Tour career.

The performances are there for all to see, but the wins have not come often enough for arguably one of the best ball strikers on the planet. 

Fleetwood's sole PGA Tour title came at the Tour Championship last season, which landed him the FedEx Cup in the process. 

However, TPC Southwind could be the perfect place for him to get back in the winner's circle.

Fleetwood has recorded three top-five finishes in six appearances at this week's venue, with two of those coming in his last three visits. 

He also arrives fresh after three weeks away from competitive golf. 

At best odds 25/1, the combination of current form, course history and freshness makes Fleetwood an outstanding value play. 

Sam Burns – 25/1

Pretty much everything that applies to Fleetwood also applies to an in-form Sam Burns right now.

Burns has been knocking on the door all summer, with three top-five finishes in his last five starts, including a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open and a solo third at The Open.

His latest appearance at Royal Birkdale was particularly impressive given he had not initially planned to play following the birth of his second child.

Unlike Fleetwood, the American's biggest strength is arguably his putting, and he ranks third in strokes gained putting this season. 

He is also 12th in strokes gained total, highlighting the quality of his all-round game.

Burns has not won on the PGA Tour since the WGC Match Play in March 2023, but his recent performances suggest a sixth victory could be around the corner.

His course record further strengthens the case. 

Burns has two top-five finishes at TPC Southwind over the past five years, while his scoring average over his last 20 rounds is an impressive 67.80, which is the fourth best in this week's field. 

Like Fleetwood, Burns has had three weeks to rest and prepare for the Playoffs.

At best odds 25/1, he looks a particularly appealing option to finally end his lengthy wait for another PGA Tour title. 

Hideki Matsuyama – 28/1

Hideki Matsuyama was the selection that required the most thought, simply because this will be his fifth consecutive week on the road.

That is a demanding schedule, but his form makes him impossible to ignore.

The 2021 Masters champion arrives here this week having recorded five straight top-15 finishes on the PGA Tour, including three consecutive top-10s 

Even more importantly, he loves TPC Southwind with a leading scoring average of 67.25 here. 

Matsuyama won this tournament in 2024 and finished runner-up in 2021, while also recording three further top-20 finishes at the venue.

The concern is fatigue rather than form.

Unlike Fleetwood and Burns, Matsuyama has no rust to shake off, having been competing every week since The Open. 

If he still has enough energy in the tank, 28/1 looks a big price for a player arriving in such excellent form at a course where he has already tasted victory.

Scheffler and McIlroy remain obvious threats in Memphis, but with both returning from breaks and neither exactly enjoying their absolute best form, Andy believes this is a week to look beyond the favourites.

Fleetwood, Burns and Matsuyama all have compelling cases, and priced at 25/1 and 28/1 respectively, they could offer the value needed to find the winner of the first FedEx Cup Playoffs event.

If you are having a play this week, please gamble responsibly. 

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