Rory McIlroy plays tennis after first-round 68 at FedEx St. Jude Championship

Ranked third on FedExCup into Playoffs, eyeing record fourth FedExCup title

 

Rory McIlroy embarked on his FedExCup Playoffs journey with a steady performance, carding a 2-under 68 in the opening round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. However, his day didn’t end there. After his round, McIlroy made his way to a nearby tennis center, where he was captured in a photograph with Wiley Barron, the son of Doug Barron, a major winner on the PGA TOUR Champions. This moment was shared by the PGA TOUR Champions on their social media platforms.

 

During his round at TPC Southwind, McIlroy had an eventful day. He began with a mix of highs and lows, including an eagle and two bogeys. Despite these fluctuations, he managed to close out his round on a high note, sinking two birdies in his final three holes. This strong finish left him trailing the early leader, Chris Kirk, who shot an impressive 64, by four strokes as he entered Friday’s second round. McIlroy, who entered the week ranked third in the FedExCup standings behind Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, is pursuing his fourth FedExCup title.

 

McIlroy’s track record in the FedExCup Playoffs is noteworthy. He has previously claimed the FedExCup trophy in 2016, 2019, and 2022. Despite his successes, he has yet to secure a win at TPC Southwind. His closest attempt came the previous year when he finished tied for third place in Memphis. This was a significant improvement over his performance from the year before, when he missed the cut at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

 

In 2022, McIlroy was in a challenging position entering the TOUR Championship, trailing Scottie Scheffler by six strokes. However, he mounted a remarkable comeback to capture the FedExCup title. In 2023, he again faced a tough situation, starting the TOUR Championship three strokes behind but ultimately finished in fourth place in the FedExCup standings.

 

McIlroy’s experience with tennis might be more than just a recreational distraction. Recently, while representing Ireland at the men’s Olympic golf competition in Paris, McIlroy made time to watch a tennis doubles match featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal against Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. This exposure to high-level tennis could have been an inspiring experience, potentially influencing his performance in the FedExCup Playoffs.

 

As McIlroy prepares for the second round at TPC Southwind, he is focused on climbing the leaderboard and improving his standing in the FedExCup. He has had a successful season, with two TOUR victories and a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open. Yet, McIlroy has described his 2024 season as “pretty good” and is determined to elevate it further during the playoffs.

 

McIlroy has consistently used the Playoffs as an opportunity to transform a solid season into an exceptional one. He sees these final tournaments as a chance to change the narrative of his year and is motivated by the potential to end the season on a high note. Reflecting on his past performances, McIlroy has noted that the chance to conclude the season strongly is a significant motivating factor for him.

 

As he looks ahead to the remaining weeks of the FedExCup Playoffs, McIlroy is determined to turn his “pretty good” season into a “very good” one, leveraging his past experiences and current form to push for another FedExCup crown.