reduced field and a Victor

The endowment

Increased to $ 10,500,000 in 2020, the endowment (10,250,000 in 2019) has not changed this year. The winner will walk away with a check for $ 1,820,000. This endowment has almost never stopped growing over the years, going from 8 million in 2008 to 9 million in 2014 and then to 10 million two years later. The winner will also take 550 FedEx points, crucial a few weeks before the Playoffs of PGA Tour (August 19 to September 5).

The course

the TPC Southwind, a par 70 of 6,614 meters, host for 30 years of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, a must-see stage of the PGA Tour, has been shortened by 178 meters compared to 2020. Designed by Ron Prichard then redesigned by Loren Roberts From 2004, this course, passed in par 70 in 2005 and full of traps (100 bunkers, 10 water obstacles and undulating fairways), defends itself very well. The 2019 average score for his WGC debut was 69,504. English Tom Lewis holds the course record on one lap: 61 (-9) during the Moving day in 2020.

The title holder

One year ago, Justin thomas, caddeyé for the occasion by Jim « Bones » Mackay, the illustrious “co-pilot” of Phil Mickelson during 25 years (!), had won at -13 (267), three strokes in front of Brooks Koepka, Daniel Berger, Tom Lewis and Phil Mickelson. Author of a last round in 65 (-5), the American signed his thirteenth success on the PGA Tour, becoming at 27 years the third youngest golfer, after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to achieve this mark. Victorious of PLAYERS Championship on March 14, the current world No. 5 has just taken 22nd place (-10) in the Olympic tournament. The question this week will be whether the winner of the PGA Championship 2017 will have fully digested the significant time difference between Japan and the United States.

A small but very strong field

They were 78 at the start from July 30 to August 2, 2020. They are only 66 this year. The health crisis has passed that way. Thus, the Spanish Jon Rahm, the current world No. 1, tested positive for Covid-19 (for the second time), is not aligned (he was not already for the Olympic tournament last week). South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, 44th in the world and another resident of the top 50, is also absent. 19 players present in Tokyo between Thursday and Sunday make the trip to Tennessee. Among them, the gold medalist, the American Xander Schauffele, just like his compatriot Collin Morikawa, beaten in the play-offs for the bronze and recent winner of theBritish Open to Royal St George’s. Having chosen not to line up for the Games, Dustin Johnson, world No. 2, six WGCs to his name and two-time winner at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, is on the other hand. In the event of success on Sunday, he would resume the chair of n ° 1 (identical scenario for Morikawa). Positive for Covid-19 just before Tokyo, Bryson DeChambeau returns. Winner in Memphis two years ago, Brooks Koepka (world No. 6) is the man of the moment with four top 6s in his last five starts. Also to follow closely the American Daniel Berger, also twice victorious at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and second here in 2020 in WGC version.

Victor Perez on the relaunch

The 42nd player in the world does not show up in Tennessee with the favors of the forecasts. The only French in the running, who is no longer ” qualified »Via the world points for the next Ryder Cup (September 24-26 to Whistling Straits), has just missed his fourth cut in as many Grand Slam starts in 2021. Just before The Open, he took 59th place in the Scottish Open, first meeting played on the European Tour since his 4th place in the Saudi International February 7. 65th at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational 2020, the Frenchman remains on a very good 4th place in the WGC-Match Play in March in Austin (Texas). In five WGCs played since 2019, this is his best result to date (with the WGC-HSBC Champions 2019).