FedExCup Playoff bubble watch: Projected last five qualifiers to BMW Championship after Day 1 at FedEx St. Jude Championship
The 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship began on Thursday, August 15, in Memphis with its first round. This tournament is crucial for players aiming to secure a spot in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings, thereby earning a place at the 2024 BMW Championship.
The top 70 players qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, starting with the St. Jude Championship. After this event, the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship, and finally, the top 30 will compete in the Tour Championship.
Following the first round, several players who were within the top 50 dropped in the rankings, while others made significant gains. The most notable rise came from Brendon Todd, who entered the tournament ranked 65th in the FedEx Cup standings but is now projected to move up to 52nd after the first round of the St. Jude Championship.
However, not all players fared as well as Tom Kim slipped out of the top 50 and is currently projected to occupy 51st position. Meanwhile, players like Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick find themselves in a precarious position, sitting among the last five projected qualifiers within the top 50.
Below are the projected last five qualifiers for the 2024 BMW Championship after the completion of the first round of the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Projected last five qualifying to BMW Championship after Day 1 at FedEx St. Jude Championship
#1 Matt Fitzpatrick
- Last week's FedEx Cup rank: 40
- Projected FedEx Cup ranking: 46
- Result after Day 1 of the FedEx St Jude Championship: T43
Matt Fitzpatrick entered the tournament ranked 40th in the FedEx Cup standings. However, after an even-par round of 70 in the first round of the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, he slipped six positions to a projected rank of 46. Despite the drop, he still secured a spot among the last five projected qualifiers for the BMW Championship.
#2 Will Zalatoris
- Last week's FedEx Cup rank: 49
- Projected FedEx Cup ranking: 47
- Result after Day 1 of the FedEx St Jude Championship: T28
Will Zalatoris is projected to be ranked 47th after the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The American golfer shot a 1-under-par 69, placing him in a tie for 28th at the St Jude Championship after Thursday's round. If he maintains his form, he could secure a spot in the BMW Championship.
#3 Cam Davis
- Last week's FedEx Cup rank: 44
- Projected FedEx Cup ranking: 48
- Result after Day 1 of the FedEx St Jude Championship: T43
Cam Davis also shot an even-par 70 in the opening round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He entered the event ranked 44th, but after Day 1, his projected rank dropped to 48th. Nevertheless, he remains within the last five projected qualifiers for the BMW Championship.
#4 Alex Noren
- Last week's FedEx Cup rank: 42
- Projected FedEx Cup ranking: 49
- Result after Day 1 of the FedEx St Jude Championship: 68th
Alex Noren is projected to rank 49th and has a chance to secure a spot in the second playoff event of the FedEx Cup. His official ranking was 42nd, but after the first round in Memphis, his projected ranking slipped to 49th. Noren had a rough outing in the first round, shooting 3-over 73, placing him in solo 68th position on the leaderboard.
#5 Adam Scott
- Last week's FedEx Cup rank: 46
- Projected FedEx Cup ranking: 50
- Result after Day 1 of the FedEx St Jude Championship: T43
Adam Scott, who entered the field ranked 46th, also slipped in the FedEx Cup standings after the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. His projected rank is now 50th, but he still has a chance to qualify for the BMW Championship. The Australian shot an even-par 70, placing him in a tie for 43rd at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.