Leading Candidates for the First Round of FedEx St. Jude Championship: A Promising Duo to Ignite Memphis on Debut Day (USA)
Top Contenders Shine in First Round of 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship
The FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening tournament of the three-week stretch leading to the Tour Championship, saw several players rising to the occasion due to its status as a FedEx Cup Playoffs event.
In a bid to secure a strong start, Akshay Bhatia and Tommy Fleetwood stood out with impressive performances. Bhatia set the pace with an impressive 8-under 62, while Fleetwood trailed closely, recording four consecutive birdies to finish with a 7-under score after the first round.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Rickie Fowler also held their ground, despite mixed early performances. Scheffler shot a steady 67, while Fowler managed a 66, keeping them in the running for the first-round lead.
Key stats to consider for the tournament are approach play and putting metrics, with players such as Sam Burns and Jake Knapp showcasing their prowess in these areas. In 2023, Jordan Spieth led the tournament with a first-round 63, while Knapp co-led the Genesis Scottish Open after 18 holes. Knapp is ranked 12th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting and third in Birdie Average, fifth in Total Birdies.
Burns, who finished T5 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last year, also demonstrated his putting skills at the US Open, where his putter was on fire. However, his approach play has dwindled slightly since the US Open. Burns shot an opening round 67 and a seven-under 67 at TPC Southwind in 2022, earning him odds of +3300 to lead after the first round at BetMGM.
The course record at TPC Southwind, a par 70 layout that measures approximately 7,200 yards, is 61. The PGA Tour's best, excluding Rory McIlroy, are participating in the first FedEx Cup Playoffs event of the season.
The field included notable top players such as Justin Rose (the eventual tournament winner), Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland. Rory McIlroy, however, was not present.
In a remarkable display at a different event, Jake Knapp led the Cognizant Classic after the first round, carding a 59.
As the tournament progresses, these early leaders will look to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the later stages of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The FedEx St. Jude Championship, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis since 2022, promises to be an exciting and closely-contested event.
Sports enthusiasts might be captivated by the golfer Jake Knapp, who showcased his skills in the Cognizant Classic, carding a first-round 59, indicating his prowess in the sport. Meanwhile, in the ongoing FedEx St. Jude Championship, golfers like Sam Burns and Jake Knapp, who boasts a third rank in Birdie Average, fifth in Total Birdies, and a 12th position on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting, are expected to shine, given their strong approach play and putting metrics.
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