Scottie Scheffler is approaching the FedEx Cup playoffs with a clear focus on rest rather than intense practice, aiming to stay sharp and energized as the postseason unfolds. Following his British Open win, Scheffler returned home to Dallas, spending quality time with his 15-month-old son, Bennett, while preparing himself for the critical events ahead.
The FedEx Cup playoffs began this week at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the start of three consecutive tournaments leading to the Tour Championship, where the overall FedEx Cup champion will be decided. With the stakes higher than ever, Scheffler’s strategy is to sustain his competitiveness through careful management of his energy and workload.
FedEx Cup Playoffs Introduce New Prize Breakdown and Format
This year’s FedEx Cup prize is distributed differently, splitting the $25 million top prize into three parts: Scheffler has already secured $10 million for leading the FedEx Cup in the regular season along with an $8 million bonus from the Comcast Business Top 10 program. The player leading after next week’s BMW Championship will earn an additional $5 million, and the winner of the Tour Championship will be awarded $10 million, with the 30 playoff participants now starting the final event from zero points.
The tournament at TPC Southwind has personal significance for Scheffler, who last missed a cut there in 2022 before the field was limited to the top 70 players. This season, fresh off victories at major events including the PGA Championship and the British Open, he arrives with a strong track record of top-10 finishes in his last 11 events since March.
Adjusting Preparation to Preserve Energy for Intense Schedule
With a demanding stretch of tournaments in Memphis, Baltimore, and Atlanta ahead, Scheffler has shifted his preparation to prioritize recuperation over extra practice. He explained after his FedEx St. Jude Championship pro-am round that earlier in his career, when recovering from injury, his practice routines were more intense. Now, he recognizes the value of conserving energy to avoid both physical and mental exhaustion during this critical time.
“At this point in the year, that extra practice is maybe only going to be draining for me a little bit, and that’s something that I’ve learned to manage as my career has gone on,”
Scheffler said.
“I would say my prep week last week definitely looked a bit different than it would have looked before the Scottish Open (in July) and definitely looked a little bit different than it would have looked if you go back to the beginning of the year when I was coming off injury,”
he added.
“So making sure I’m rested, ready to play,”
Scheffler continued.
“My game is in a good spot, and I feel like some extra practice at this point in the year can almost be detrimental in terms of just physical and mental fatigue.”
Personal Moments and Celebrations with the Claret Jug
After his emphatic British Open victory at Royal Portrush, Scheffler enjoyed moments of celebration with friends and family, centering around golf’s oldest trophy, the claret jug. He shared about a gathering at his home where guests enjoyed drinking from the trophy, an event that brought plenty of joy.
“We had a party two weeks ago at home with some of our friends, and everybody got to drink out of it. It was a lot of fun,”
Scheffler recalled.
The claret jug has also made appearances at his home golf course, Royal Oaks, a place linked to Justin Leonard’s 1997 Open win, carrying on a tradition of sharing the trophy’s prestige. Scheffler even took his son Bennett along to the course, creating cherished family memories.
“He whacked some golf balls around, and we hung out for a bit,”
Scheffler said.
“I took him to the 19th hole with me, and I got some pretty funny pictures with Bennett sitting in the 19th hole at the men’s only grill where you’ve got to be — I think you’ve got to be 19 to get in there, but I figured if we bring in a couple major championship trophies with us, they’ll let the rules slide on that one.”
Securing Top Position and Upcoming Challenges in Playoffs
Scheffler’s current lead in the FedEx Cup standings is strong, bolstered by Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip this playoff event, ensuring that Scheffler remains number one through the early rounds. The stakes at TPC Southwind are high, as the top 50 players after this week not only progress to the BMW Championship but also guarantee spots in all $20 million signature events next season.
Players like Jordan Spieth, currently ranked 48th, face pressure to advance as they fight to keep alive their Ryder Cup aspirations alongside their playoff campaigns. With points being quadrupled during the playoffs, every shot counts as Scheffler and the field navigate this intense stretch that will shape the final FedEx Cup standings.