Scottie Scheffler will compete in the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, without his regular caddie, Ted Scott, who had to leave due to a private family matter. Instead, Brad Payne, a trusted friend and mentor, will fill in on Sunday as Scheffler aims to close a two-shot deficit behind leader Tommy Fleetwood and a one-shot gap to Justin Rose.
Background on Brad Payne’s role and previous experience with Scheffler
Payne has served as Scheffler’s substitute caddie before, notably during the third round of last year’s PGA Championship while Scott attended his child’s high school graduation. Payne’s involvement offers continuity, as he is more than just a caddie; he is a chaplain to PGA TOUR players and president of College Golf Fellowship. His strong personal connection with Scheffler, both on and off the course in Dallas, provides additional support during this critical stage.
Current standings and Scheffler’s ambitions this season
Scheffler enters the final round at 12-under 198 after rounds of 67, 66, and 65, with Scottie paired alongside U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun at 12:30 p.m. local time. As the reigning FedExCup champion, Scheffler is chasing his fifth victory this season, showing strong consistency despite the unexpected change in his team.
Payne’s background and experience with professional golf
Brad Payne has a broad golf background, including playing collegiate golf at Pepperdine where he achieved multiple top-three finishes in the West Coast Conference Men’s Golf Championship from 1989 to 1991. He has also caddied for several PGA TOUR players, including Paul Stankowski, bringing valuable expertise and experience to his role with Scheffler.
Importance of this final round for Scheffler and potential impact
The adjustment in caddie for the final round poses a challenge but also highlights the strength of Scheffler’s support network. With Payne’s guidance and familiarity, Scheffler has the chance to maintain focus and potentially secure another win this season. His ability to close out the tournament despite these changes will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike, potentially impacting his momentum heading further into the PGA TOUR schedule.
“Scott has been on Scheffler’s bag for all 17 of Scheffler’s PGA TOUR wins. The successful partnership began in late 2021.” —source
“Payne, who serves as a chaplain to PGA TOUR players through his role with College Golf Fellowship, is a friend and mentor to Scheffler both on TOUR and at home in Dallas, where both men live.” —source