Akshay Bhatia surged ahead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, delivering a remarkable finish of eagle-birdie-birdie to close out an 8-under 62, his lowest career round on the PGA Tour. This outstanding performance placed him one shot ahead of competitor Tommy Fleetwood as the PGA Tour playoffs intensified. Bhatia’s achievement is especially significant as he fights to progress through the FedExCup postseason, where only the top 50 players advance to the next tournament.
Strong Field and Competitive Standings Shape Playoffs Dynamics
Coming into the FedExCup playoffs ranked 45th, Bhatia’s position is precarious, as only players within the top 50 move on to the BMW Championship, the next stage in the three-event series. Those aiming for the lucrative $10 million FedExCup bonus seek to remain in the top 30 to qualify for the Tour’s final leg at East Lake. Bhatia was matched alongside England’s Harry Hall, positioned just above him at 44th place. Hall kept pace with Bhatia until the final holes, where Bhatia’s clutch 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a precise approach shot to within two feet on the 18th made the crucial difference.
Mental Focus Key to Bhatia’s Impressive Performance
Bhatia shared his approach to maintaining composure amid the pressures of rankings and scoring, emphasizing a calmer mindset. He said,
“I felt pretty relaxed, and I’m just not trying to force anything,”
reflecting on his mental state. He added,
“It’s OK to get mad at golf shots but not at yourself.”
This attitude allowed him to produce a steady and confident finish on the challenging TPC Southwind course, which features 18 new greens and notably thicker rough than previous years.
Other Contenders Show Strong Play as Standings Tighten
Tommy Fleetwood, currently positioned as the ninth seed in the FedExCup standings, is nearly assured a spot in the finale but remains eager to secure his first PGA Tour title. Fleetwood hit 13 of 14 fairways during his round, and even his lone missed fairway led to a birdie after holing out from a bunker on the ninth hole. He closed his round with four straight birdies, exemplifying precision and confidence. Reflecting on the course, Fleetwood noted,
“People talk about this golf course as a second-shot golf course, but it’s only a second-shot golf course if you’re in the fairway,”
adding,
“I hit the ball so well off the tee that I was always giving myself an opportunity.”
Day-to-Day Focus Drives Fleetwood’s Postseason Strategy
When asked whether he viewed the three-week postseason as one combined event or separate tournaments, Fleetwood replied that he takes it “really day to day.” This mindset is vital given the volatility of playoff standings, where a single shot could drastically change a player’s ranking. For example, Rickie Fowler, who missed the postseason the prior year, sits at 64th but shot a 66 in this event and is projected to move inside the crucial top 50 cutoff.
Mixed Fortunes for Other High-Profile Players in the Playoffs
Jordan Spieth, ranked 48th entering the event, faced a challenging round and had to rally on the back nine to post a 69, which briefly cost him a spot inside the top 50 before he clawed his way back to 50th by the end of the day. Scottie Scheffler, fresh off winning The Open for his second major this year, hit a 67 with his tenth consecutive round in the 60s, despite a bogey on the final hole. Scheffler remains top-seeded for at least another week, demonstrating consistency but missing key birdie opportunities late in his round.
He summarized his performance, stating,
“Today was a good day. I did some solid stuff,”
and added,
“Felt like I was close to playing a really great round but ended up with a solid round. Overall a decent start.”
Players on the Edge Fight to Secure Postseason Spots
For athletes hovering just outside the top 50, the pressure intensifies. Si Woo Kim, ranked 46th, opened strongly with a 65 and expressed cautious optimism despite earlier struggles. Kim commented,
“It’s kind of like dicey spot right now,”
and explained,
“And started struggling, so I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can get through to next week.’ But tried to keep it as simple as possible, and that helps me a lot. I had a great round, so hopefully I’ve got more room the next couple days. Just trying to make it simple and not much think about next week.”
Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark joined the strong performances with a 67. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, ranked 10th in Ryder Cup standings and potentially the first playing captain since 1963, started with a 72, while fellow Ryder Cup contender Maverick McNealy shot 66, reinforcing their status among top contenders.
Implications of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on PGA Tour Playoffs
This week’s results are critical, as they not only determine who continues to the BMW Championship but also guarantee qualifiers for next year’s $20 million signature event. The competition remains incredibly tight, with several players battling to either maintain or improve their positions. Akshay Bhatia’s career-best 62 positions him as a resilient and determined contender within this high-stakes environment, demonstrating the mental strength and skill needed to advance through this challenging postseason.
As the FedExCup playoffs progress, every round gains urgency, and players must balance focus with composure to navigate the pressure of advancing in the playoffs and chasing substantial financial rewards. Bhatia’s ascent and the performances of players like Fleetwood, Scheffler, Kim, and others will shape the final cut and ultimately who advances to the Tour’s season finale at East Lake.