Image Source: BBC
Golf world number one Scottie Scheffler will take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the St Jude Championship as he looks to end an unexpectedly long wait for victory.
Scheffler carded a two-under-par 68 during Saturday’s third round at TPC Southwind in Memphis, moving to 13 under overall. The 30-year-old American has not won since the American Express Open on 27 January, but he now has a strong opportunity to return to the winner’s circle in the opening event of the FedEx Cup play-offs.
Scottie Scheffler Seizes Control in the Golf Showdown
The leader faces a potentially absorbing final pairing with close friend Sam Burns, who produced the round of the day. Burns fired a superb, bogey-free 62 to climb to 11 under, putting him level with South Korea’s Im Sung-jae.
That result leaves Scheffler two shots clear, although Burns’ exceptional scoring display means the contest is far from settled. England’s Tommy Fleetwood, the defending FedEx Cup champion, is also within striking distance. Fleetwood sits at eight under alongside American Jake Knapp, three shots behind Burns and five behind the leader.
- Scottie Scheffler: 13 under
- Sam Burns: 11 under
- Im Sung-jae: 11 under
- Jake Knapp: eight under
- Tommy Fleetwood: eight under
“Strategy is still the same, just go out there and execute,” Scheffler said after his round, according to the BBC. “This is a golf course where that’s really all it comes down to.”
Powerful Friendship Adds Intrigue to Final Round
The final pairing will carry an unusual emotional edge because Scheffler and Burns are friends away from the course. Scheffler admitted that competing against someone he wants to succeed can feel slightly strange, even though the focus will quickly return to winning the tournament.
“It’s always a little weird just because I want him to have success so much and I think he wants the same for me,” Scheffler said. “It will be a competition like normal. It will be fun being out there with your friend but it’s also a bit weird.”
Scheffler also leads after 54 holes for the first time since the 2025 Open Championship. He will aim to convert that advantage into a trophy, having made a steady rather than spectacular move during the third round.
McIlroy and Rose Suffer Dramatic 18th-Hole Collapse
While the leaders strengthened their positions, several major names lost valuable ground late in the day. Six-time major champion Rory McIlroy and 2013 US Open winner Justin Rose both endured costly mistakes on the 18th hole.
McIlroy drove into the water from the tee and finished with a double-bogey six. Rose found the same hazard twice on his way to a triple-bogey seven, leaving both players at six over and well outside contention for the title.
The difficult finish underlined how quickly fortunes can change at TPC Southwind. With the tournament compressed around the top of the leaderboard, even a single error could prove decisive in the final round.
FedEx Cup Play-Off Pressure Builds
The St Jude Championship is the first of three FedEx Cup play-off events, making every position significant beyond the immediate battle for the title. The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the weekend will advance to next week’s BMW Championship.
That field will then be reduced again, with only the top 30 moving on to the Tour Championship. The results in Memphis could therefore shape the remainder of the season for players chasing a place in the final event.
Alex Noren of Sweden is well placed at seven under, while Norway’s Viktor Hovland is six under. Brian Harman is at seven under, and major winners Matt Fitzpatrick and Jordan Spieth are both four under. England’s Harry Hall is two under, with Aaron Rai at one under.
For Scheffler, the immediate task is clear: protect his lead, manage the course and handle the pressure of a final-round duel with Burns. For Burns, the challenge is to reproduce the attacking brilliance that delivered his 62. The winner may be decided by which player best balances aggression with control.
FAQs About the St Jude Championship
Who leads the St Jude Championship?
Scottie Scheffler leads at 13 under par, two shots ahead of Sam Burns and Im Sung-jae.
When did Scottie Scheffler last win?
Scheffler’s most recent victory came at the American Express Open on 27 January.
Who is in the final pairing?
Scheffler and his close friend Sam Burns will play together in the final pairing.
How did Rory McIlroy finish the third round?
McIlroy carded a double-bogey six on the 18th hole after driving into the water and sits at six over.
What is at stake in the FedEx Cup play-offs?
The top 50 players advance to the BMW Championship, while the top 30 after that event qualify for the Tour Championship.
