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Scottie Scheffler survived a difficult opening stretch Saturday and still strengthened his position at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, shooting a 2-under 68 to take a two-shot lead into the final round at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
Scheffler reached 13-under 197 after 54 holes and will play in the final group alongside Sam Burns and Sungjae Im. Burns surged into contention with a remarkable 62, while Im carded a 67. Both players are tied for second at 11-under 199.
Scottie Scheffler Builds a Critical Final-Round Advantage
The third round did not begin smoothly for the world No. 1. Scheffler hit only one green in regulation through his first five holes and faced several demanding recovery shots. On the par-5 third, his approach struck a tree and dropped near him, forcing him to rely on a difficult shot from mangled rough.
Despite the trouble, Scheffler produced a composed recovery. He reached within 12 feet with his next shot and made the par putt. After a bogey on the following hole, he found his rhythm with a birdie on the par-3 eighth and consecutive birdies early on the back nine.
He also made an important 12-foot par save at the 15th hole, preserving momentum during a round played in extreme heat. The heat index rose above 100 degrees, and ice-water towels were made available to players on every tee.
“Any time you’re holing those 10- to 15-footers, it’s really nice to keep the round going,” Scheffler said, according to ESPN. “I holed a few of those today. It was definitely important to keep the momentum in the round.”
Explosive Chase Led by Sam Burns and Sungjae Im
Burns delivered the round of the day with a 62, putting himself in position to challenge Scheffler on Sunday. The pairing carries an unusual storyline because the two players are close friends, yet they have never shared the final group at a tournament of this importance.
“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. “Tomorrow we’ll go out there and play our game and see where things finish up at the end of the day.”
Burns enters the final round with plenty of motivation. He has come close at both the U.S. Open and British Open this year but has yet to claim a victory. His previous Sunday pairing with Scheffler came at the 2021 Tour Championship, when neither player was in contention. Burns did, however, defeat Scheffler in a playoff at Colonial in 2022.
“Scottie is obviously playing great, as he always does. He’s not going to lay down,” Burns said. “He’s going to play great tomorrow. So you’re going to have to go out there and put a really good round together and see if you can catch him.”
FedEx Cup Pressure Intensifies Across the Leaderboard
The tournament carries major consequences beyond the battle for the trophy. The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings after this event advance to next week’s BMW Championship and are guaranteed spots in all of next season’s $20 million signature events.
Tommy Fleetwood and Jake Knapp are tied for fourth, five shots behind Scheffler. Fleetwood shot 68, while Knapp posted a 67. Sungjae Im is the only player currently projected to move into the top 50. He began the week at No. 53 and has positioned himself for a significant standings boost.
Jordan Spieth faces a particularly stressful Sunday. The former major champion started the week at No. 54, opened with a 65, but slipped after shooting 72 on Saturday. He did not make a birdie until the 11th hole and dropped from a tie for fifth to a tie for 19th, a result projected to leave him outside the top 50.
Brian Harman also needs a strong finish. Entering the tournament at No. 65, Harman shot 69 Saturday and sits in a tie for sixth. He said earning access to the signature events is important because they feature the strongest fields on the PGA Tour.
What to Watch in Sunday’s Final Round
- Scheffler’s response: The defending world No. 1 will try to convert a two-shot advantage into his second victory of 2026.
- Burns’ challenge: A 62 has placed him directly in the title fight, but he must overcome Scheffler’s lead in the final group.
- Im’s opportunity: Im can contend for the championship while also improving his position in the FedEx Cup standings.
- Spieth’s survival bid: Every shot could determine whether Spieth advances to the BMW Championship and next season’s signature events.
Scheffler is seeking to end a frustrating stretch of five runner-up finishes and five additional top-four results since his only victory of the 2026 season, which came in his first tournament of the year. With the lead, a familiar rival beside him and the FedEx Cup stakes rising, Sunday promises a compelling conclusion in Memphis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Scottie Scheffler’s lead?
Scheffler leads Sam Burns and Sungjae Im by two shots entering the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
What score did Scottie Scheffler shoot in Round 3?
Scheffler shot a 2-under 68 on Saturday and moved to 13-under 197 for the tournament.
Who is playing with Scheffler in the final group?
Scheffler will play alongside close friend Sam Burns, who shot a 62, and Sungjae Im, who posted a 67.
Why is the tournament important for Jordan Spieth?
Spieth began the week outside the FedEx Cup top 50 and needs a strong final round to advance to the BMW Championship and secure access to next season’s signature events.
