Scottie Scheffler entered the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship as the clear favorite and FedExCup points leader, bringing elite ball-striking, strong approach play, and proven TPC Southwind form into the no-cut playoff opener featuring the top 70 players. Recent momentum from consistent contention and a course-record-tying 61 highlighted his dominance, pressuring the field early while top-50 advancement implications added urgency for bubble players like Sungjae Im and others on the cutoff line. Contenders such as Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele Cameron Young, Hideki Matsuyama, and Sam Burns carried course history and recent results into the mix, with historical patterns at the water-heavy Memphis layout favoring accurate iron players over the weeklong event.