Memphis: Scottie Scheffler holds two-shot lead at St. Jude Championship

By Liam Tremblay — 16 August 2026 — 3 min read

Scottie Scheffler finished Saturday’s round with a 2-under 68, establishing a two-shot lead over Sam Burns and Sungjae Im at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Scheffler, who has recorded five runner-up finishes and five other top-four placements since his sole victory earlier this year, is now at 13-under 197 heading into the final round.

He will be paired with Burns, his close friend, for the final round. Burns, who shot a 62, is tied with Im at 11-under 199. Im also posted a 67 on Saturday. This pairing marks the first time Scheffler and Burns will play together in the final group of a tournament.

The Competition and FedEx Cup Implications

Scheffler acknowledged the dynamic of competing against a friend, stating that while it will be fun, it will also be a bit unusual. He expressed a desire for Burns to succeed, and believes Burns feels the same. The two have previously played together on a Sunday at the 2021 Tour Championship, and Burns defeated Scheffler in a playoff at Colonial in 2022.

Beyond the leading group, FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood and Jake Knapp are five shots behind Scheffler, both having shot 68 and 67 respectively. The tournament carries significant implications for players aiming to advance to the BMW Championship next week, as only the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings will qualify.

The top 50 players are also guaranteed entry into next year’s signature events, each offering a purse of $20 million. Jordan Spieth, currently at No. 54 in the FedEx Cup standings, is projected to miss the top 50 after a round of 72, which dropped him to a tie for 19th. Spieth’s round included his first birdie on the 11th hole.

Brian Harman, who started the week at No. 65, is tied for sixth after a 69, needing to improve his position to advance. Harman, a 2023 British Open champion, is assured of playing in next year’s majors. Im, who began the week at No. 53, is the only player currently projected to move into the top 50. He emphasized the importance of focusing on each shot.

Canadian Players and Scheffler’s Performance

Among the Canadian contingent, Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., is in a three-way tie for 19th at 4 under. Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., is in a five-way tie for 46th at 1 over. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., is in a two-way tie for 51st at 2 over.

Scheffler’s Saturday round included a challenging start, hitting only one green in regulation through the first five holes. On the par-5 third, his shot hit a tree and dropped, leaving him 111 yards from the hole after a lie in the rough. He managed to make a par putt from 12 feet. He bogeyed the subsequent hole from behind the green and did not record a birdie until the par-3 eighth.

Scheffler then made consecutive birdies on the back nine, which helped him regain his lead. He also made a 12-foot par save on the 15th hole, highlighting the importance of those mid-range putts for maintaining momentum. The conditions were warm, with the heat index exceeding 38 Celsius, and ice water-soaked towels were provided at each tee.

Keith Mitchell, who is tied for 22nd, is projected to be at No. 49 in the standings, while Maverick McNealy, also tied for 22nd, is projected at No. 50. Burns is focused on winning and understands he will need a strong performance to catch Scheffler, who he expects to play well. The final round of the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship is scheduled for Sunday.

Source: sportsnet.ca