While the PGA Tour rolls out its first batch of Championship Series events, one by one, one of its current FedExCup playoff stops will not remain on the schedule when the Tour shifts to its revamped competitive model in 2028.
Sports Business Journal reported on Wednesday morning that the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the playoff opener since 2022, was not under consideration to become a Championship-level tournament, though it could find a place on the Challenger Series, the Tour’s second tier, either at its current venue, TPC Southwind, or another Memphis-area course.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship’s history, according to Tour records, dates to the 1967 Westchester Classic. The tournament was played at Westchester Country Club until 2008 when it began rotating around the New York Metropolitan area, first as The Barclays and later as the Northern Trust. However, PGA Tour golf in Memphis began with the 1958 Memphis Open, an event that became sponsored by St. Jude in 1985. The final FedEx St. Jude Classic was contested at TPC Southwind in 2018.
This week’s 70-man FedEx St. Jude Championship begins next Thursday at TPC Southwind.
“FedEx has been a wonderful partner since 1986, with our relationship evolving and innovating over the years. As we prepare for the FedEx St. Jude Championship next week and again in 2027, we remain in close conversation about the future of our partnership,” the Tour said in a statement. “We are grateful to FedEx for all it contributes to the sport, and the positive impact they make in the community, including in Memphis with St. Jude. As we implement a new competitive model and map out our schedule for 2028 and beyond, we believe Memphis is well-positioned to remain part of the PGA Tour. TPC Southwind is a premier venue in our TPC Network and remains an important asset to the Tour. We look forward to sharing more as plans take shape.”
Current tournaments that have recently be tabbed for the Championship Series are The Sentry at Torrey Pines, Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral and the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. The top-level series will also include a new event sponsored by Sompo.
