Preview

Starts: 7th August 2025
Course: TPC Southwind
Par: 70 (35-35)
Length: 7,243 yards
Grass Type: Bermuda
2024 Champion: Hideki Matsuyama

2025 FedEx St Jude Championship Tips

FedEx St Jude Championship Course Info

Designer: Ron Prichard
Fairways: Zoysia, Narrower than average
Rough: 2.5 inches - Not severe
Greens: Bermuda grass - Smaller than average
Water Hazards: In-play on 8 holes
Par 5's: 3rd and 16th
Premium on: Solid tee to green and approach play

Significant Info To Be Aware Of 

This event is the first of the Fed-Ex playoff series where the top 70 on the PGA Tour money list compete. The Top 50 will advance to the BMW Championship next week.

This course hosted WGC events in 2021 and 2020, it was previously the host of the FedEx St Jude Classic.  We therefore have 30+ years of course form.

The course underwent an upgrade in 2004, with Loren Roberts overseeing a host of changes including new trees, additional bunkers, narrowing of the fairways and a change to Bermuda grass on the greens.  Place less emphasis on any form pre-2004.

2025 FedEx St Jude Championship Stats Analysis

Eight of the last thirteen winners at TPC Southwind have led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green so there is an emphasis on players who are striking the ball well.  With smaller than average greens, and water a persistent threat, it's no surprise a sound long game is required.  

A look at the stats of last four course winners are below. 

SG: Off The Tee
15-31-18-16

SG: Approach
3-16-1-5

SG: Around The Green
68-6-43-6

SG: Putting
1-12-25-10

2025 FedEx St Jude Championship In Play Tips

Tough Holes 
The 457-yard ninth is a hard dogleg to the right that requires a precise, long tee shot before an approach shot over water. Players out of position off the tee will likely need to hit a conservative second shot up the right side. The 18th hole has water running along its entire left side, but unlike No. 9, this 453-yard par-4 is a dogleg to the left.

Birdie Holes 
The par 5 16th and 3rd play as the easiest holes.

Fast or Slow Start 
The last two winners, Hideki Matsuyama and Lucas Glover, were never outside the top five.

However, 2022 winner Zalatoris was NINE shots behind after round one. None of the three men in the playoff in 2021 were within four of the lead after day one. The previous two WGC winners at Southwind were in the top 18 after round one. 

Three of the last five course winners have been inside the top 12 at halfway, with Zalatoris the exception. 

In the past, course winners tended to be within striking distance going into the final day but not necessarily leading.  Koepka was a stroke back in 2019 and overcame Rory McIlroy to win.  Both DJ and Daniel Berger won in 2018 and 2016 respectively when leading after the third round.  Berger's second win in 2017 came from three shots off the pace with a round to go.

However, in 2021, Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama came from 8 and 9 shots back of leader Harris English to reach a playoff which they lost to Abraham Ancer. Zalatoris came from two back in 2022. Comebacks are possible here with lots of water in play. 

2025 FedEx St Jude Championship Tips