COURSE OVERVIEW

TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee is one of the more demanding stops on the PGA Tour calendar, and it plays a pivotal role as the opening leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Stretching just over 7,200 yards as a par-70, this Bermuda grass track rewards ball-strikers who can navigate tight, tree-lined fairways and hold firm, fast greens in regulation. Approaches into small, well-protected greens put a premium on precise iron play and proximity from inside 150 yards. The rough is penal, making driving accuracy nearly as important as distance off the tee. With Memphis late-summer heat and humidity typically baking the course firm, players who excel in Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking historically rise to the top of leaderboards here. The par-70 format also means birdie opportunities on the par-5s are critical, and players who can convert short-to-mid-range putts on Bermuda will separate themselves from the field.

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TOP TARGETS THIS WEEK

Scottie Scheffler — $12,400

The world number one has made TPC Southwind look routine over the past two seasons, posting multiple top-10 finishes with elite ball-striking metrics across the board. His Strokes Gained: Approach numbers are unmatched in the field, and he's nearly unbeatable on Bermuda greens when his putter gets hot. Expect him to be heavily owned, but he's worth anchoring as a captain-slot option.

Ownership projection: High

Xander Schauffele — $11,200

Schauffele's iron play is tailor-made for TPC Southwind. He's historically gained significant strokes on approach here and enters the Playoffs riding strong form. His consistency in ball-striking and ability to avoid big numbers make him a reliable tournament-winning ceiling play.

Ownership projection: High

Brian Harman — $8,900

The Georgia native thrives on Bermuda and has shown a strong affinity for TPC Southwind throughout his career. His accuracy off the tee and reliable short game give him a legitimate floor, and at this salary he provides excellent value relative to his upside.

Ownership projection: Mid

Tom Kim — $9,600

Kim's aggressive style and elite iron play are perfectly suited for a par-70 track that rewards birdie binges. He's been playing some of the most consistent golf of his career heading into Memphis and offers strong tournament equity at a price point slightly below the elite tier.

Ownership projection: Mid

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VALUE PLAYS

Nicolai Højgaard — $7,400

The Danish bomber has been quietly improving his iron metrics all season and brings genuine birdie upside at a price that won't break your lineup construction. He's a tournament-winner-upside type who can get hot in a four-round stretch.

Akshay Bhatia — $7,700

Bhatia's attacking game and fearless approach play give him a high ceiling every week. At under $8,000 he's one of the best leverage plays in the field, offering low ownership and legitimate scoring upside on a track that rewards aggressive play.

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FADES

Rory McIlroy — $11,800

Despite enormous chalk ownership driven by his star power and recent form, McIlroy has a mixed record at TPC Southwind and tends to struggle on Bermuda greens when pace doesn't suit his stroke. The salary is difficult to justify given his historical course fit here.

Justin Thomas — $9,100

Thomas will draw heavy ownership from casual players based on name recognition, but his recent form has been inconsistent and his ball-striking metrics have dipped heading into Memphis. Fading him creates valuable lineup differentiation.

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LINEUP CONSTRUCTION

In a playoff-field event like the St. Jude, differentiation is key. Build around one of the two elite anchors — Scheffler or Schauffele — in your captain slot, then stack with mid-tier ball-strikers like Tom Kim and Brian Harman who offer genuine course fit. Layer in at least one value play like Bhatia or Højgaard to free up salary and create tournament-winning separation. Avoid loading multiple high-chalk fades who will cannibalize your upside. Target golfers with strong Strokes Gained: Approach and Bermuda putting history, and always check tee times before lock to account for any weather-related advantages.

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Lock in your lineups with confidence this week — Scout Intel has you covered with the analysis, projections, and lineup tools you need to win on DraftKings. Visit Scout Intel before Thursday's first tee time.

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SLUG: golf-dfs-fedex-st-jude-championship-draftkings-2026

META: FedEx St. Jude Championship DFS picks for DraftKings. Top targets, value plays, fades, and lineup strategy for TPC Southwind in Memphis.

EXCERPT: Discover the top DraftKings targets, value plays, and lineup construction strategy for the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind.

SPORT_TAG: golf

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