Is there a cut at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship?

Akshay Bhatia stormed into the lead after the opening round of the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. The tournament brings together the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings for the first event of the season-ending playoffs.

Rory McIlroy withdrawal sparks debate

Or should that be 69? Rory McIlroy’s well-publicized withdrawal - announced just days before play began - sparked debate across the golf world. Some criticized the decision, while others backed the Northern Irishman, who is already assured of a spot in the Tour Championship in two weeks’ time.

Why isn’t there a cut at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship?

In a standard PGA Tour event, the field would be cut after Friday’s second round, with only the top 65 and ties playing the weekend. But because the FedEx St. Jude Championship is a playoff tournament w ith a reduced field rather than a regular stop, there’s no mid-event cut. All 69 players are guaranteed four full rounds to chase down the leader.

Scheffler has time to make up ground

That gives plenty of time for the likes of Scottie Scheffler (five shots off the pace after round one), Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele (both six behind) to launch a charge up the leaderboard.

Even those well back - including Keegan Bradley (10 shots adrift) and Shane Lowry (11 behind) - still have hopes alive of climbing into contention before Sunday’s finish.

FedEx Cup playoffs format explained

At the end of the tournament at TPC Southwind, the top 50 players in the FedEX Cup standings will advance to next week’s BMW Championship.

Following that event, the 30 leading golfers will then compete for the Tour Championship, which takes place at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia from August 21-24.

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