St. Jude Classic

Coordinates: 35°03′25″N 89°46′44″W / 35.057°N 89.779°W / 35.057; -89.779
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FedEx St. Jude Classic
Tournament information
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
Established1958[1]
Course(s)TPC Southwind[2]
Par70
Length7,244 yards (6,624 m)[3]
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$6,600,000
Month playedJune
Final year2018
Tournament record score
Aggregate258 John Cook (1996)
To par−26 as above
Final champion
United States Dustin Johnson
Location Map
TPC Southwind is located in the United States
TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind
Location in the United States
TPC Southwind is located in Tennessee
TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind
Location in Tennessee

The FedEx St. Jude Classic was a professional golf tournament held in Memphis, Tennessee, as a regular event on the PGA Tour. The tournament was held annually from 1958 through 2018, and was played in June at TPC Southwind (since 1989).

In 2019, FedEx took over sponsorship of the WGC Invitational and relocated the tournament to Memphis in late July. The relocated WGC event continues the charitable relationship with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The new name for the relocated event is the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational[4][5] For the 2021–22 season, the WGC Invitational was discontinued, and the first FedEx Cup playoff event was relocated to TPC Southwind with FedEx as the new title sponsor; the event will be named the FedEx St. Jude Championship.[6]

History[edit]

The tournament debuted 66 years ago in May 1958 as the Memphis Open and was played annually at Colonial Country Club in Memphis through 1971, then at the club's new home in Cordova through 1988. The late Vernon Bell, a Memphis restaurateur, co-founded the tournament and served as the tournament's general chairman for 22 years.[7] He is also the father of the late Chris Bell.[8]

St. Jude[edit]

In 1969, entertainer Danny Thomas (1912–1991) agreed to lend his name to the tournament in exchange for his St. Jude Children's Research Hospital becoming the tournament's charity. Accordingly, the tournament changed its name the next year to the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic.

In 1977, President Gerald Ford, who had left office in January, made a hole-in-one during the tournament's celebrity pro-am while playing with Thomas and Ben Crenshaw.[9][10] Two days later, Al Geiberger shot a PGA Tour record 59 (−13) in the second round with eleven birdies and an eagle.[11][12] He needed a rally on Sunday to win by three strokes at 273 (–15).[13]

Federal Express[edit]

In 1986, Memphis-based courier Federal Express became the title sponsor. For the first three years of their sponsorship, FedEx increased the purse one dollar for each package they shipped on the Friday of the tournament.[14][15][16] The purses went from $500,000 to $605,912 in 1986, from $600,000 to $724,043 in 1987, and from $750,000 to $953,842 in 1988.

The Stanford Financial Group took over as the tournament's title sponsor in 2007, and it was renamed Stanford St. Jude Championship. In 2009, the tournament changed its name to St. Jude Classic,[17] following accusations that the Stanford Financial Group was a Ponzi scheme. FedEx returned as title sponsor in 2011, and has remained though the standard tournament era, the WGC version (2019-21), and Playoffs era (since 2022).[18]

TPC Southwind[edit]

The event's final edition at Colonial Country Club in Cordova was 36 years ago in 1988. It moved to its present location at TPC Southwind in Memphis in 1989.

The purse in 2018 was $6.6 million, with a winner's share of $1.188 million.

Tournament highlights[edit]

Course[edit]

TPC Southwind in 2013

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Yards 434 401 554 196 485 445 482 178 457 3,632 465 162 406 472 239 395 530 490 453 3,612 7,244
Par 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 3 4 35 4 3 4 4 3 4 5 4 4 35 70

Source:[3]

Winners[edit]

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
($)
Winner's
share ($)
FedEx St. Jude Classic
2018 United States Dustin Johnson (2) 261 −19 6 strokes United States Andrew Putnam 6,600,000 1,188,000
2017 United States Daniel Berger (2) 270 −10 1 stroke South Korea Kim Meen-whee
South Africa Charl Schwartzel
6,400,000 1,152,000
2016 United States Daniel Berger 267 −13 3 strokes United States Brooks Koepka
United States Phil Mickelson
United States Steve Stricker
6,200,000 1,116,000
2015 Argentina Fabián Gómez 267 −13 4 strokes England Greg Owen 6,000,000 1,080,000
2014 United States Ben Crane 270 –10 1 stroke United States Troy Merritt 5,800,000 1,044,000
2013 United States Harris English 268 −12 2 strokes United States Phil Mickelson
United States Scott Stallings
5,700,000 1,026,000
2012 United States Dustin Johnson 271 −9 1 stroke United States John Merrick 5,600,000 1,008,000
2011 United States Harrison Frazar 267 −13 Playoff Sweden Robert Karlsson 5,600,000 1,008,000
St. Jude Classic
2010 England Lee Westwood 270 −10 Playoff United States Robert Garrigus
Sweden Robert Karlsson
5,600,000 1,008,000
2009 United States Brian Gay 262 −18 5 strokes United States Bryce Molder
United States David Toms
5,600,000 1,008,000
Stanford St. Jude Championship
2008 United States Justin Leonard (2) 276 −4 Playoff Australia Robert Allenby
South Africa Trevor Immelman
6,000,000 1,080,000
2007 United States Woody Austin 267 −13 5 strokes England Brian Davis 6,000,000 1,080,000
FedEx St. Jude Classic
2006 United States Jeff Maggert 271 −9 3 strokes United States Tom Pernice Jr. 5,200,000 936,000
2005 United States Justin Leonard 266 −14 1 stroke United States David Toms 4,900,000 882,000
2004 United States David Toms (2) 268 −16 6 strokes United States Bob Estes 4,700,000 846,000
2003 United States David Toms 264 −20 3 strokes Zimbabwe Nick Price 4,500,000 810,000
2002 United States Len Mattiace 266 −18 1 stroke United States Tim Petrovic 3,800,000 684,000
2001 United States Bob Estes 267 −17 1 stroke Germany Bernhard Langer 3,500,000 630,000
2000 United States Notah Begay III 271 −13 1 stroke United States Chris DiMarco
United States Bob May
3,000,000 540,000
1999 United States Ted Tryba 265 −19 2 strokes United States Tim Herron
United States Tom Lehman
2,500,000 450,000
1998 Zimbabwe Nick Price (2) 268 −16 Playoff United States Jeff Sluman 1,800,000 324,000
1997 Australia Greg Norman 268 −16 1 stroke United States Dudley Hart 1,500,000 270,000
1996 United States John Cook 258 −26 7 strokes United States John Adams 1,350,000 243,000
1995 United States Jim Gallagher Jr. 267 −17 1 stroke United States Jay Delsing
United States Ken Green
1,250,000 225,000
Federal Express St. Jude Classic
1994 United States Dicky Pride 267 −17 Playoff United States Gene Sauers
United States Hal Sutton
1,250,000 225,000
1993 Zimbabwe Nick Price 266 −18 3 strokes United States Rick Fehr
United States Jeff Maggert
1,100,000 198,000
1992 United States Jay Haas 263 −21 3 strokes United States Dan Forsman
United States Robert Gamez
1,100,000 198,000
1991 United States Fred Couples 269 −15 3 strokes United States Rick Fehr 1,000,000 180,000
1990 United States Tom Kite 269 −15 Playoff United States John Cook 1,000,000 180,000
1989 United States John Mahaffey 272 −12 3 strokes United States Bob Gilder
United States Hubert Green
West Germany Bernhard Langer
United States Bob Tway
1,000,000 180,000
1988 United States Jodie Mudd 273 −15 1 stroke United States Peter Jacobsen
Zimbabwe Nick Price
953,842 171,692
1987 United States Curtis Strange 275 −13 1 stroke United States Russ Cochran
United States Mike Donald
United States Tom Kite
Zimbabwe Denis Watson
724,043 130,328
1986 United States Mike Hulbert 280 −8 1 stroke United States Joey Sindelar 605,912 109,064
St. Jude Memphis Classic
1985 United States Hal Sutton 279 −9 Playoff United States David Ogrin 500,000 90,000
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
1984 United States Bob Eastwood 280 −8 2 strokes United States Ralph Landrum
United States Mark O'Meara
United States Tim Simpson
500,000 90,000
1983 United States Larry Mize 274 −14 1 stroke United States Chip Beck
United States Sammy Rachels
United States Fuzzy Zoeller
400,000 72,000
1982 United States Raymond Floyd 271 −17 6 strokes United States Mike Holland 400,000 72,000
1981 United States Jerry Pate 274 −14 2 strokes United States Tom Kite
United States Bruce Lietzke
300,000 54,000
1980 United States Lee Trevino (3) 272 −16 1 stroke United States Tom Purtzer 300,000 54,000
1979 United States Gil Morgan 278 −10 Playoff United States Larry Nelson 300,000 54,000
1978 United States Andy Bean 277 −11 Playoff United States Lee Trevino 250,000 50,000
1977 United States Al Geiberger 273 −15 3 strokes United States Jerry McGee
South Africa Gary Player
200,000 40,000
1976 United States Gibby Gilbert 273 −15 4 strokes United States Forrest Fezler
New Zealand John Lister
United States Gil Morgan
200,000 40,000
1975 United States Gene Littler 270 −18 5 strokes United States John Mahaffey 175,000 35,000
1974 South Africa Gary Player 273 −15 2 strokes United States Lou Graham
United States Hubert Green
175,000 35,000
1973 United States Dave Hill (4) 283 −5 1 stroke United States Allen Miller
United States Lee Trevino
175,000 35,000
1972 United States Lee Trevino (2) 281 −7 4 strokes United States John Mahaffey 175,000 35,000
1971 United States Lee Trevino 268 −12 4 strokes United States Lee Elder
United States Jerry Heard
United States Hale Irwin
United States Randy Wolff
175,000 35,000
1970 United States Dave Hill (3) 267 −13 1 stroke United States Frank Beard
United States Homero Blancas
New Zealand Bob Charles
150,000 30,000
Memphis Open Invitational
1969 United States Dave Hill (2) 265 −15 2 strokes United States Lee Elder 150,000 30,000
1968 United States Bob Lunn 268 −12 1 stroke United States Monty Kaser 100,000 20,000
1967 United States Dave Hill 272 −8 2 strokes United States Johnny Pott 100,000 20,000
1966 United States Bert Yancey 265 −15 5 strokes United States Gene Littler 100,000 20,000
1965 United States Jack Nicklaus 271 −9 Playoff United States Johnny Pott 60,000 9,000
1964 United States Mike Souchak 270 −10 1 stroke United States Billy Casper
United States Tommy Jacobs
50,000 7,500
1963 United States Tony Lema 270 −10 Playoff United States Tommy Aaron 50,000 9,000
1962 United States Lionel Hebert 267 −13 Playoff United States Gene Littler
South Africa Gary Player
40,000 6,400
1961 United States Cary Middlecoff 266 −14 5 strokes United States Gardner Dickinson
United States Mike Souchak
30,000 4,300
1960 United States Tommy Bolt 273 −7 Playoff United States Ben Hogan
United States Gene Littler
30,000 4,300
Memphis Open
1959 United States Don Whitt 272 −8 Playoff Canada Al Balding
South Africa Gary Player
25,000 3,500
1958 United States Billy Maxwell 267 −13 1 stroke United States Cary Middlecoff 20,000 2,800

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:[39][40][16][15][14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ A brief history
  2. ^ "Inside the course:TPC Southwind". PGA Tour. June 4, 2012. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Course: TPC Southwind". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  4. ^ "FedEx announced as sponsor of World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational". stjudeclassic.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "PGA Tour to move WGC Bridgestone event from Akron to Memphis". Golf.Com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "PGA Tour to relocate first FedEx Cup Playoffs event to TPC Southwind in Memphis". PGA Tour. September 14, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Vernon Bell profile". Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  8. ^ Mehr, Bob (December 28, 2008). "Chris Bell's passion for music still rings true". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, Tennessee.
  9. ^ "Sports briefing: Ford finds ace in the hole". Chicago Tribune. June 9, 1977. p. 1, section 10.
  10. ^ "Sure shot". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. (AP wirephoto). June 9, 1977. p. 4.
  11. ^ "'Incredible' 59 for Geiberger". Chicago Tribune. wire services. June 11, 1977. p. 1, section 2.
  12. ^ "Geiberger fires PGA mark 59, 11 birds, eagle". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. June 11, 1977. p. 11.
  13. ^ "Geiberger needs rally to win". Chicago Tribune. wire services. June 13, 1977. p. 5, section 6.
  14. ^ a b "Length bothers Zoeller". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, Georgia. Associated Press. August 28, 1986. p. 5-B. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "Strange, Dillard share St. Jude lead". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. August 2, 1987. p. F-3. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  16. ^ a b "Mudd Leading by Stroke in Bid for First Tour Victory". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. August 7, 1988. p. 8. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  17. ^ "Memphis' 2009 Tour stop renamed St. Jude Classic". PGA Tour. March 19, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  18. ^ Ross, Helen (December 2, 2010). "2011 schedule includes key change during the Playoffs". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  19. ^ Memphis Tourney Won by Maxwell win
  20. ^ Middlecoff Finds Form
  21. ^ Nicklaus Wins 'Jackpot' in Memphis
  22. ^ Yancey Captures Memphis Open Golf
  23. ^ Dave Hill Wins Memphis Open
  24. ^ Dave Hill Memphis Winner
  25. ^ Lee Trevino coasts to Memphis victory
  26. ^ Dave Hill wins Memphis Classic
  27. ^ Happy ending for Geiberger
  28. ^ Trevino outlasts storms for triumph in Memphis
  29. ^ Pate takes million-dollar dive
  30. ^ Hulbert scores one-shot Memphis win
  31. ^ "Fewest number of putts in a round on PGA Tour".
  32. ^ Haas finally ends tourney drought
  33. ^ Cook breezes at St. Jude
  34. ^ Norman nabs first tour win of season
  35. ^ "Begay Is Steady At the End". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 26, 2000. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  36. ^ Toms pulls away from crowded leaderboard at St. Jude
  37. ^ Leonard hangs on to win St. Jude Classic
  38. ^ Lee Westwood wins St Jude Classic in Memphis
  39. ^ FedEx St. Jude Classic – Winners Archived 2010-05-29 at the Wayback Machine – at www.stjudeclassic.com
  40. ^ FedEx St. Jude Classic – Winners – at www.pgatour.com

External links[edit]