Scottie Scheffler reasserted his dominance on the PGA Tour with an eight-shot victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. The world's No. 1 player, who had not won since January, led the field in strokes gained: putting, in a performance that showcased his superior skill.
Scheffler began the final round with a two-shot lead and maintained control throughout, carding five birdies against a single bogey. His clinical play in Memphis has prompted a call to end any lingering narratives questioning his recent form.
"We humans are reactive, and we also love building narratives, but the one many built about Scottie Scheffler in 2026 will be looked at as perhaps one of the most forced of the modern era," the report stated. "For months now, the question of 'What's wrong with Scottie?' has been asked – sometimes legitimately and sometimes tongue-in-cheek – given that his ball-striking took a dip statistically and it felt as if he was allergic to finding the winner's circle."
Prior to his Memphis win, Scheffler's 2026 season included an AmEx victory, five second-place finishes, two third-place finishes, and 11 Top 10s in 17 starts. While he did not win a major in 2026, his overall performance, culminating in the FedEx St. Jude Championship victory, solidifies his status at the top of the sport.
McIlroy's Performance Draws Scrutiny
Rory McIlroy, who had expressed reluctance about playing in Memphis, was also in contention but ultimately finished far behind Scheffler. His performance, which included failing to post a round under par and finishing 25 shots behind the winner, drew criticism. Despite being a late addition to the field, McIlroy admitted to not having practiced extensively and feeling lost with his swing during the tournament.
"I guess nice to shake the rust off a little bit, but I'm going to have to work pretty hard between now and next Thursday to feel like I have any sort of golf game to compete next week," McIlroy said after the final round. His honest assessment, however, did little to quell the criticism regarding his lack of competitiveness and his decision to participate without adequate preparation.
McIlroy's participation in only eight non-major starts this season means he does not qualify for an official stat profile with the Tour in 2026.
Spieth Misses FedEx Cup Playoffs
Jordan Spieth's season concluded at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, as he failed to qualify for the subsequent BMW Championship. Despite a strong opening round 65, Spieth ultimately finished T-19, placing him 52nd in the FedEx Cup standings. He was the only player in the field without a single Top 10 finish on the year. Spieth has not won on the PGA Tour in over four years.
