The bad news is Tiger Woods isn’t playing in the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. The good news? The tournament will still have the best field Memphis has seen
Of the world’s 50 top-ranked players, 46 have committed to play at TPC Southwind starting Thursday, including the top four.
British Open champion Shane Lowry committed to the WGC-FedEx before his victory at Royal Portrush and subsequent celebration(s).
With that as backdrop, here are 10 who fans should keep their eye on, via Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
10. Jordan Spieth
Spieth may be ranked 37th in the world but there’s no way Memphis should miss one of the best young golfers out there. The three-time major winner hasn’t played in Memphis since 2010. Spieth has not won on the PGA Tour since his 2017 victory at The Open.
9. Jon Rahm
The 24-year-old tied for third at the U.S. Open this year and won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Rahm is ranked No. 8 in the world and is looking for his first WGC title.
8. Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau, who has one of the most unconventional swings in golf, made his first PGA Tour start in Memphis in 2015 and also played here in 2017. He returns as the No. 7 golfer in the world and looking for his first WGC win.
7. Justin Thomas
Thomas is the defending WGC-Invitational champion and only two years removed from being PGA Tour Player of the Year. This is his first pro tournament in Memphis.
6. Gary Woodland
Known as one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour, Woodland finally won his first major this year with the U.S. Open. He’s been one of the best golf stories this season, and his wife is expected to give birth to twins later this month.
5. Phil Mickelson
Always one of the most popular players in Memphis, Mickelson should have one of the largest galleries at TPC Southwind. As much he loves the city and course, Mickelson’s status is now in question after he question his poor play following missing the cut at the British Open.
4. Justin Rose
Rose is ranked No. 4 in the world and is the defending FedEx Cup champion. He finished third at the U.S. Open last month.
3. Rory McIlroy
McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush but won new-found status as an adult after his exit Friday. McIlroy enjoyed the adoration of his home country’s fans and paid them back by handling his loss and disappointment like someone befitting of his 30 years. McIlroy has been one of the PGA Tour’s biggest names over the past decade and won the WGC-Invitational in 2014. The four-time major winner and No. 3 golfer in the world has won two PGA Tour events this year. Can he win his third in his first trip to Memphis since 2012?
2. Dustin Johnson
Memphis will never forget Johnson’s walk-off eagle to cap his win in the FedEx St. Jude Classic last year. So will he have an encore in 2019? Johnson used the win to catapult into the No. 1 world ranking and he currently sits at No. 2.
1. Brooks Koepka
Koepka has finished second and third in past appearances in Memphis. Will this be the year he breaks through? The world’s No. 1-ranked golfer has been on a tear this year, winning the PGA Championship and finishing second at the Masters and U.S. Open before his T-4 at the 148th Open Championship. While Koepka fell flat early Sunday at Royal Portrush, he has become golf’s chief unofficial spokesperson for quicker play.
