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Memphis Golf Hopes Dim as PGA Tour Playoff Future Unclear
17 Aug
Summary
- Memphis may lose its PGA Tour playoff event after 2027.
- Scottie Scheffler won with an eight-stroke margin, the largest this season.
- Local officials and fans are upset by the PGA Tour's decision.
Scottie Scheffler's commanding eight-stroke victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, a season-high margin, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Memphis's future as a PGA Tour playoff host. The PGA Tour is implementing a new competitive structure starting in 2028, which will exclude Memphis from playoff events and Championship Series stops.
This decision has sparked significant local outcry, with fans and officials expressing anger and disappointment. Legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz highlighted the tournament's importance to Memphis and FedEx's support for golf. Despite the PGA Tour's current stance, questions linger about whether the decision is final, especially as not all Championship Series sites have been announced.
Memphis boasts a long history with the tour, hosting an annual event since 1958, and the current FedEx St. Jude Championship is experiencing record attendance and ticket sales. This success fuels hope that the PGA Tour and FedEx might reconsider their decision, potentially allowing Memphis to retain its prestigious status and continue its association with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The tournament's timing may also shift, possibly moving to an earlier, less hot period in the calendar.
