PGA Leaderboard This Week: FedExCup Playoffs Ignite As Top 70 Battle At TPC Southwind
The PGA Tour regular season has officially concluded, and the high-stakes race for the FedExCup is officially underway. Following a dramatic finish at the Wyndham Championship, the focus of the golf world shifts to Memphis, Tennessee, for the start of the playoffs. This week's 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship, held at the demanding TPC Southwind, features only the top 70 players in the standings competing for a chance to advance.
Below is the projected leaderboard status and standings overview heading into this week's playoff opener on August 13, 2026:
| Player | Current FedExCup Rank | 2026 Key Highlights | Playoff Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 1 | Multiple 2026 Victories, Major Title | Locked for East Lake |
| Xander Schauffele | 2 | Consistent Top-5 Finishes, Major Champion | Locked for East Lake |
| Rory McIlroy | 3 | Signature Event Winner, Elite Ball-Striker | Safe Position |
| Collin Morikawa | 4 | Top-10 Machine, Strong Summer Run | Safe Position |
| Ludvig Åberg | 5 | European Star, Rapid Standings Climber | Safe Position |
The High-Stakes Battle for the Top 50 in Memphis
TPC Southwind represents more than just a shot at a massive prize purse; it is a brutal elimination ground. While the top 70 players tee off on Thursday, only the top 50 in the FedExCup standings at week's end will secure their spots for the BMW Championship next week. Crucially, cracking the top 50 also guarantees entry into all lucrative Signature Events for the 2027 season.
The pressure on the bubble is immense, making the live PGA leaderboard this week a must-watch. Several notable names are hovering right on the edge of the top 50 cutoff:
- The Bubble Drama: Players ranked 45th through 60th face a razor-thin margin of error where a single missed putt on Friday could end their postseason.
- TPC Southwind's Layout: Known for its abundant water hazards and penalizing Bermuda grass, the course rewards precise iron play and penalizes aggressive mistakes.
- The No-Cut Format: Unlike regular-season events, all 70 players will play all four rounds, meaning leaderboard movement will be constant and volatile from Thursday through Sunday.
How to Watch and Stream the FedEx St. Jude Championship Live
With playoff survival on the line, golf fans have multiple options to follow the leaderboard action live. Coverage spans traditional television broadcasts and extensive digital streaming platforms.
- Thursday, August 13 & Friday, August 14: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST on Golf Channel
- Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST on Golf Channel / 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST on CBS
- Active Live Streaming: Expanded coverage, including featured groups and main feed coverage, is available daily starting at 8:00 AM EST on ESPN+ and PGA Tour Live.
Radio broadcasts will also carry live play-by-play action via SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio starting at 12:00 PM EST each tournament day.
PGA Championship leaderboard: Will Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy ...
The Postseason Roadmap to East Lake
The journey to crowning the 2026 FedExCup Champion is a three-week sprint. Following the conclusion of play in Memphis, the field is trimmed immediately to 50 players for the BMW Championship. From there, only the elite top 30 will survive to compete in the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Because points are quadrupled during the first two playoff events, a lower-ranked player who puts together a hot week in Memphis can vault directly into the top 10. This volatility ensures that the PGA leaderboard this week will remain highly dynamic, setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling road to the season finale.
