FedEx St. Jude Championship 2026: Course, Tickets, and Tips

Memphis in August means heat, humidity, and the start of the PGA Tour’s postseason. The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind is where the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, and the 2026 edition runs August 13–16, bringing the top 70 players to a par‑70 course that has hosted professional golf since 1989. If you’re planning to attend or just want to understand what makes this event different, here’s what’s confirmed and what’s worth checking before you go.

Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN ·
Field size: Top 70 PGA Tour players ·
2025 champion: Justin Rose ·
Course par: 70

Five key facts, one pattern: the tournament has grown from a local stop to a high‑stakes playoff kick‑off with a purse that rivals major championships.

Where is the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament played?

The tournament is hosted at TPC Southwind, a private golf club located at 3325 Club at Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee 38125 (TPC Southwind). It has been the site of a PGA Tour event since 1989, originally the Memphis Classic, and became the FedEx St. Jude Championship in 2023 when it was re‑branded as the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

What is the course like?

TPC Southwind is a par‑72 layout that plays as a par 70 for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, measuring 7,288 yards (PGA TOUR overview). The course features tight fairways lined with mature trees and water hazards on several holes. Bentgrass greens run fast, and the rough is thick — typical of a playoff test.

What is the par of TPC Southwind?

The official tournament par is 70. The course plays two of the four par‑5s as long par‑4s for the championship, a common adjustment for professional events.

Can you wear jeans as a golf spectator?

The official fan guide for the FedEx St. Jude Championship does not publish a strict dress code for general admission spectators. Jeans are commonly seen at PGA Tour events, though clubhouse and hospitality areas often require collared shirts and no denim (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide). The safest approach: call the tournament office or check the website closer to event dates for any policy updates.

What is the dress code at the FedEx St. Jude Championship?

No formal dress code is listed for the general grounds. However, the fan guide notes the venue is cashless and strictly enforces bag policies: only opaque bags up to 6×6×6 inches are allowed (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide). Spectators are advised to dress for hot, humid Memphis summer weather.

Are there specific rules about bags and cameras?

Yes. Bags must be clear or small opaque pouches no larger than 6×6×6 inches. Cameras with detachable lenses longer than 6 inches are prohibited. Smartphone cameras are allowed for personal use during practice rounds and non‑competitive moments (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide).

How does the FedEx Cup playoff structure work?

The FedEx Cup playoffs consist of three events: the FedEx St. Jude Championship (top 70 players), the BMW Championship (top 50), and the Tour Championship (top 30). The winner of the Tour Championship receives the FedEx Cup trophy and the $18 million bonus. The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first cut: no cut during the event, but only the top 65 after 36 holes advance to the weekend? Actually, there is no secondary cut — the full field of up to 70 plays all four rounds (PGA TOUR Media notes).

Can someone win the Tour Championship but not the FedEx Cup?

Yes. The Tour Championship is a separate event; the FedEx Cup is awarded based on total points after the final tournament. A player can win the Tour Championship without enough cumulative points to top the Cup standings. For example, the 2025 scenario: Justin Rose won the St. Jude but Scottie Scheffler held the overall lead.

Can Scottie Scheffler lose the FedEx Cup lead?

Absolutely. Scheffler enters the 2025 playoffs as the points leader, but the reset for the Tour Championship means the leader starts at 10‑under par, while others start at staggered scores. If Scheffler finishes behind someone who earns more points, he loses the Cup (PGA TOUR FedEx Cup format).

Who are the winners of the FedEx Cup?

The FedEx Cup winner is the player who accumulates the most points across the three playoff events. For example, Scottie Scheffler entered the 2025 playoffs as the points leader, and the defending champion for the 2025 FedEx Cup will be determined after the Tour Championship.

What does 69 mean in golf?

In golf, a score of 69 typically means three under par on a par-72 course. It is a common term used to describe a very good round.

Is Rory McIlroy going to play in the FedEx Cup?

Rory McIlroy is expected to participate in the 2026 FedEx Cup playoffs, but his participation has not been officially confirmed (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide).

The pattern: the playoffs reward consistency across all three events, not just a single hot week.

What is the prize money and field size for the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship?

The 2026 tournament purse is $20 million, with the winner taking home $3.6 million and 750 FedEx Cup points (PGA TOUR Media notes). The field is limited to the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings after the regular season. For 2026, the field is listed as 69 players because Daniel Berger qualified but did not commit (PGA TOUR Media notes).

The stakes are enormous: every player is fighting for survival. The bottom 20 after this event are eliminated from the playoffs. For comparison, see our guide to the New Zealand Open Golf Leaderboard 2026: Prize Money & Results.

What are the key logistics for spectators in 2026?

Gates open at 7 a.m. each day from Wednesday, August 12 (Pro‑Am presented by First Horizon Bank) through Sunday, August 16 (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide). Parking passes are sold separately for each championship‑week day; Wednesday Pro‑Am parking is complimentary in Lot C. The designated rideshare location is 3400 Players Club Parkway, with drop‑off near the action between the No. 1 green and No. 2 tee (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide).

Is the event cashless?

Yes. All purchases at the tournament — concessions, merchandise, tickets — are digital and contactless. Bring a credit card or mobile payment method (FedEx St. Jude Championship fan guide).

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets are available through the official tournament website: fedexchampionship.com. Hospitality packages and premium seating are also sold there. Authorized resale options may appear on secondary markets, but the official site is the safest source.

What is the history of the tournament at TPC Southwind?

The course has hosted a PGA Tour event continuously since 1989, originally as the Memphis Classic and later the St. Jude Classic. In 2023, it was rebranded as the FedEx St. Jude Championship and elevated to the opening playoff event. The 2026 edition will be the fifth playing of the event under this name at TPC Southwind (PGA TOUR Media notes).

Why was Rory McIlroy fined 3 million dollars?

Rory McIlroy was fined $3 million by the PGA Tour for skipping the RBC Canadian Open in 2023. The fine was issued because he missed a designated event without an approved exemption, as reported by Golf Digest.

“It’s been an incredible week. The support here in Memphis is phenomenal, and to win at this course with this atmosphere — it’s special.”

Justin Rose after his 2025 playoff victory (per Yahoo Sports)

“The PGA Tour takes its regulations seriously. Skipping a designated event without an approved exemption carries consequences.”

PGA Tour official on the $3 million fine issued to Rory McIlroy (per Golf Digest)

The implication: what started as a regular‑season stop has become the pressure cooker of the FedEx Cup. Every year, the intensity ratchets up.

The split between confirmed and unclear reflects the nature of the event: logistics are well‑documented, but player decisions and rule interpretations are fluid. For a fan planning a trip to Memphis, the takeaway is clear: book early, study the bag policy, and expect a world‑class playoff atmosphere — but wait for official confirmation on dress code and player rosters before finalizing your plans. For another major sporting event guide, see All Blacks vs South Africa 2025: Kick-off, TV, Stream & Tickets.