How Scottie Scheffler delivered just what Memphis golf fans needed at the St. Jude
MEMPHIS, TN — Scottie Scheffler dialed up a well-timed dandy at TPC Southwind on Friday, Aug. 14 — and for that, we thank him.
With the unrelenting, unforgiving Memphis-in-August heat index stretching north of 110 degrees and squeezing some of the life out of the FedEx St. Jude Championship — itself already besieged by a strong undercurrent of angst and awkwardness — the best golfer in the world tied the course record with a second-round 61, giving us all something we sorely needed.
A reason to focus on actual golf.
Scheffler’s sensational scorcher, tied for the third-lowest round of his career, provided everyone with a distraction from the shoddy hand the PGA Tour dealt the longstanding annual tournament just a week before it started. A diversion from the uncertain future, lingering overhead like a sword of Damocles. A respite for fans braving the sweltering conditions.
Perhaps even the tour appreciates another brilliant round from Scheffler — if for no other reason than maybe to stem the tide of bitterness being directed its way in the wake of its recent decision to strip the Memphis event of its lofty status starting in 2028.
Wait . . . oh, right — golf!
Needing a birdie on No. 18 to establish a new low round at the 37-year-old course, Scheffler casually waved to his wife, Meredith, and their eldest son, Bennett, who were looking on from the back porch of a house located just behind the 18th tee box.
Scheffler admitted (in a post-round interview with The Golf Channel) that his focus shifted in that moment to an issue a bit more unnerving than the humid press of the scalding afternoon sun or the pressure of precision with history on the line.
“Yeah, I was a little worried,” he began. “When the (pacifier is) in midday, that means he’s not feeling so good. The passy made me a little nervous, so I’ll get home and check on him pretty quick.”
A few minutes later, his 15-foot, 7-inch birdie putt came up a mere 8 inches short.
But it couldn’t spoil another outstanding outing for Scheffler, who became the fifth professional to card a 61 at TPC Southwind — where he made his debut as a professional golfer in 2018 at the St. Jude Classic. In the same city where Al Geiberger was christened “Mr. 59,” becoming the first golfer on the PGA Tour to shoot a 59 (at Colonial Country Club in 1977, when the event was known as the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic), Scheffler joined Justin Rose (2023), Tom Lewis (2020), Bob Estes (2001) and Jay Delsing (1993) at the top of TPC Southwind lore.
When does it register for Scheffler that he’s having an incredible day?
“Probably not till the round’s over,” he said.
His personal-best in tournament play is a 59, which he achieved at The Northern Trust in 2020 — the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs that year. The FedEx St. Jude Championship has been the opening event of the postseason since 2022, and will stay that way until after the 2027 tournament.
Whether professional golf continues in Memphis for a 70th consecutive year remains uncertain. Even if it does, the prestige attached to it since 2019 (when it was elevated to a signature event) will be greatly diminished.
In a way, Scheffler’s showing serves as only another reminder of the kind of world-class level of excellence Memphis is losing. Something even Scheffler can’t help but rue.
“We love coming back to Memphis,” he said before the tournament began. “Hopefully, it will be part of it in some capacity.
“Yeah, if it’s not, I’ll definitely be sad to see it leave.”
But at least for part of Friday, the conversation drifted from the worry of what’s to come, because Scheffler gave us all something else to think about. Something to appreciate.
“It’s so cliche to say you can’t do anything about it, isn’t it?” said Tommy Fleetwood, the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs champ. “It’s sort of a boring answer, but what can we do about Scottie Scheffler?”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Scottie Scheffler delivered just what Memphis golf fans needed at the St. Jude
