The second major of the year is rapidly approaching, but before the golfing world hones in on the US Open, a number of players have the chance to ffine-tune their games at the sizzling FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind. This will be the last year that the tournament is a regular PGA Tour event as from 2019 onwards it will transform into one of the World Golf Championships.
2016 US Open champion Dustin Johnson will be looking to head over to New York with a win under his belt at the St. Jude Classic, a tournament he won back in 2012. In four subsequent appearances he’s recorded two top-10 finishes, including 5th spot in his last showing two years ago. The American now arrives in Memphis on the back of carding T8 at Memorial, and will no doubt be a popular pick this week at 13/2 in the betting.
Next up in the market is Brooks Koepka at 9/1, which is no real surprise considering that last year’s US Open winner has registered two top-3 standings in his last three St. Jude Classics. The 28-year-old came 2nd at Colonial in his last PGA Tour event two weeks ago, and considering his course form at TPC Southwind he will no doubt find himself in contention come Sunday.
Phil Mickelson, 14/1, is enjoying a great year to date. Lefty won the WGC in Mexico a few months ago, then finished 5th at the Wells Fargo Championship, and he now heads over to Memphis on the back of a top-15 standing at last week's Memorial. Mickelson will now be bidding to hit top form ahead of the US Open - which remains the only major to ever escape his grasp - and it’s fair to say that the 47-year-old loves TPC Southwind, with four top-10 results and 11th spot in his last five appearances at the St. Jude Classic.
Defending champion Daniel Berger is a tempting bet at 25/1 as he bids to complete the St. Jude Classic hat-trick following wins in 2017 and 2016. Berger tees up alongside favourite Johnson for the opening two rounds, and the duo will no doubt spur each other on as they each bid to finish top of the pile ahead of the US Open.
Other players to keep an eye on in Tennessee include Henrik Stenson, Tony Finau, Charl Schwartzel, Luke List, and Billy Horschel, who has four top-10 finishes in his last four appearances.
