Seventy professional golfers arrived in Memphis for the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at TPC Southwind, but only 50 will advance to the BMW Championship, according to tournament reporting by Golfweek and Yahoo Sports. The stakes at the FedEx St. Jude Championship extend beyond the massive payday awaiting the overall champion, as finishing inside the top 50 guarantees players a spot in all eight lucrative signature events for the 2027 season, providing a significant head start for the following year.
The Bubble Line and Players on the Outside
Maverick McNealy holds the pivotal No. 50 position in the FedEx Cup standings with 806 points, making him the bubble boy as the no-cut, 72-hole event begins, according to Golfweek. Just inside the cutoff line sit Keith Mitchell at No. 49 with 811 points, Matt McCarty at No. 48 with 838 points, Michael Brennan at No. 47 with 857 points, and Alex Noren at No. 46 with 859 points. Meanwhile, notable names on the outside looking in must secure high finishes to mathematically surpass McNealy’s total.
According to the standings data published by Golfweek, Harris English sits at No. 51 and requires a solo 31st finish or better to stay alive. Max Homa holds the No. 52 spot and needs a two-way tie for 25th or better, while Sungjae Im stands at No. 53 with a requirement of a two-way tie for 24th. Jordan Spieth enters the week at No. 54 and needs a solo 23rd finish to crack the top 50.
Minimum Requirements Down the Standings
The math gets progressively tougher for players deeper down the points list at TPC Southwind. Sam Stevens sits at No. 55 and needs a two-way tie for 17th, while Sudarshan Yellamaraju at No. 57 requires a three-way tie for 16th, according to Yahoo Sports data. Harry Hall at No. 58 and Corey Conners at No. 59 need a two-way tie for 16th and a two-way tie for 14th, respectively.
Pro Tip: In a no-cut tournament like the FedEx St. Jude Championship, every single round counts toward cumulative FedEx Cup points. Players starting further down the standings cannot rely on a weekend surge alone; they must execute from Thursday through Sunday to climb past the top-50 threshold.
Daniel Berger sits at No. 60 on the points list but is out of the tournament after choosing not to enter, according to Golfweek. Players further down face steep requirements: Michael Kim at No. 61 needs a three-way tie for 12th, Shane Lowry at No. 62 requires a two-way tie for 11th, and Nick Taylor at No. 63 needs a solo 10th finish.
Chasing the Cutoff at TPC Southwind
Further down the bubble, Patrick Rodgers and Aldrich Potgieter need a two-way tie for eighth or better, while Ricky Castillo, Matti Schmid, and Jackson Koivun all require at least a two-way tie for seventh place to have a mathematical chance at passing McNealy, as reported by Golfweek. With Daniel Berger opting out, only 69 players are actively competing in Memphis for the 50 available slots.
The journey to the BMW Championship concludes this week before the top 50 head to Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Securing a spot among the top 50 not only advances players to the second playoff leg but also locks up essential exemptions for the following season’s premier tournaments.
Did you know? Finishing in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings guarantees entry into all eight signature events for the following season, offering an enormous competitive and financial advantage before the new calendar year even begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players advance from the FedEx St. Jude Championship?
Only the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings advance from Memphis to the BMW Championship, according to Golfweek.
Who is currently holding the final spot in the top 50?
Maverick McNealy holds the 50th position with 806 points, serving as the bubble boy entering the event, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
What is the benefit of finishing in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup?
Players who finish in the top 50 secure guaranteed entry into all eight signature events for the following season, in addition to advancing in the playoffs.
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