Many of the world's top players have taken the opportunity to put their feet up following the Open Championship, but it is back to business this week when TPC Southwind hosts the first round of the playoffs with the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The top 70 have qualified to tee up in Memphis with the aim of still being in the top 50 for next week's BMW Championship and, as usual, world number one Scottie Scheffler (+450) is at the head of the market despite having not posted a PGA Tour victory since January's American Express.
It looks set to be a keenly contested four days with last year's FedEx Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood (+2000) geared for battle and last year's Southwind victor Justin Rose (+6000) also in the field.
FedEx St. Jude Championship betting picks and predictions
Hideki Matsuyama to win (+2200)
All the big guns will be charged for battle this week and some have elected to recuperate after the demands of the final Major of the year, The Open at Royal Birkdale in England.
However, one player who has kept himself ticking over is 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and it could be an approach that reaps dividends in Tennessee.
The Japanese ace knows exactly what it takes to claim the FedEx St. Jude Championship after he triumphed two years ago, when he eased up with a closing 70 to still claim victory by a two-shot margin.
Go back three more years and he came desperately close to winning as he fell in a playoff to Mexico's Abraham Ancer, who now plies his trade on the breakaway LIV Golf tour.
A 14th place at the Open was a perfectly respectable effort for the ten-time PGA Tour winner and he followed that up with third spot at the 3M Open after a slow start, fifth place at the Rocket Classic and then seventh at last week's Wyndham Championship.
His last victory came at December's Hero Challenge, when he got the better of a small field, and that followed a win in the first tournament of the year at The Sentry in Hawaii, so a notable victory is probably overdue and this could be the occasion when he comes out on top.
Sam Burns to win (+2000)
Sam Burns also had the misfortune to fall to Ancer in that 2021 playoff and the Louisianan will hope to go better than he did last year, even though he was fifth and his effort included a Friday 63.
What also appeals with Burns this week is the strong form he has shown when playing in elite company, something which applies to this week's Southwind test.
He was Wyndham Clark's nearest challenger at June's US Open, when he stormed into contention with a final-day 67 and, following 12th spot at the Travelers Championship, he was third at Royal Birkdale, finishing two shots behind Ryan Fox in an effort that included a second-round 62.
His closing 72 was a disappointment when he was right in the mix for his first Major, but that mental test should stand him in good stead and he is well rested to go well at a course he clearly enjoys.
Rickie Fowler to win (+5500)
A player who is a little further down the list but who could make a big impression is Rickie Fowler.
He was a solid sixth in last year's Southwind gathering and makes the trip to Memphis with some strong results under his belt.
Fowler was 15th at the John Deere Classic, 18th at The Open - when he closed with a 66 - and then eighth last time out at the Rocket Classic, when he flew out of the blocks with a 63.
He has had his troubles and slipped down the rankings in recent years and many will feel he has been unable to fulfil what was undoubted potential when he first burst onto the scene.
However, he has enough in his game to perform well again at the Tennessee layout and he could offer those looking for value lower down in the market a good run for their money.
FedEx St. Jude Championship outright odds
Scottie Scheffler | +450 |
Rory McIlroy | +1200 |
Xander Schauffele | +1600 |
Tommy Fleetwood | +2000 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Sam Burns | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2200 |
Hideki Matsuyama | +2200 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2200 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +2200 |
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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.
