TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee is the next stop on the PGA Tour, with 69 of the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings battling it out in this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The leading two players in the world, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, will play alongside each other for the first two days and they are priced at 11/1 and 18/1 respectively to be leading the way after the opening 18 holes.
Defending champion Justin Rose, who is out with last week's Wyndham Championship winner Michael Brennan, is available at 45/1 to be at the summit come the end of play on Thursday.
FedEx St. Jude Championship First-Round Leader Tips Summary
Best Bet - Patrick Cantlay each-way @ 33/1
Alternative Bet - Hideki Matsuyama each-way @ 28/1
Alternative Bet - Eric Cole each-way @ 70/1
FedEx St. Jude Championship First-Round Leader Prediction
Best Bet: Patrick Cantlay each-way @ 33/1
It has been nearly four years since Patrick Cantlay won the last of his eight PGA Tour titles at the 2022 BMW Championship and while there have been some positive signs that drought may end this season, his wait for a ninth win may go on beyond this week.
However, the American, a former world number three who is now down in 41st position, has made a habit of starting tournaments strongly in recent weeks and another quick start is anticipated at TPC Southwind.
Cantlay was tied for the lead after the opening round of the Scottish Open before missing the cut, while he shared fourth position after day one of the Rocket Classic on his last outing.
The 34-year-old is ninth in strokes gained tee to green and 21st in approach on the PGA Tour - two areas which have proved to be crucial to success at this venue - and he can use his skillset to set the early pace.
Alternative Bet: Hideki Matsuyama each-way @ 28/1
Hideki Matsuyama has been in consistent form over the past couple of months, with tied-14th finishes at the Travelers Championship and the 154th Open Championship followed by a share of third at the 3M Open.
The Japanese recorded a top five at the Rocket Classic before posting a tied-seventh effort at the Wyndham Championship, further evidence of his consistent performances.
Matsuyama won the St. Jude Championship in 2024 and was runner-up in the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, a tournament which was also played at TPC Southwind.
The 2021 Masters champion was tied second after the opening round when he lifted the trophy two years ago and he is capable of making another quick start in this year's edition.
Alternative Bet: Eric Cole each-way @ 70/1
Eric Cole's search for a maiden PGA Tour title continues and there have been a number of near-misses this season, the biggest coming when he was second at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May.
The American has struggled to maintain his performances over four rounds, leading to questions over his mental strength, but he has made multiple fast starts this season.
Cole was the sole leader after the opening round in back-to-back events in June - the Canadian Open and the Travelers Championship - while he was fourth after day one of last week's Wyndham Championship.
Key Tournament Stats
This will be the fifth year in a row the FedEx St. Jude Championship has been held at TPC Southwind
This course - a 7,288-yard par-70 - has hosted a PGA Tour event each year since 1989
Akshay Bhatia shot an eight-under-par 62 to lead by one shot after the opening 18 holes of the 2025 St. Jude Championship
Chris Kirk shot a 64 to sit at the summit after round one in 2024
A 63 from Jordan Spieth was enough to see him lead after day one in 2023
Si Woo Kim and J.J. Spaun shared the first-round lead in 2022 after signing for 62s
The first-rounder leader of the St. Jude Championship has never managed to go on and win the event
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
