Overview
The 2019 WGC‑FedEx St. Jude Invitational was a professional golf tournament that formed part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series on the 2019 PGA Tour calendar. It was the inaugural edition of the event, created to replace the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship and to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through its charitable partnership with FedEx.
Venue
- Course: TPC Southwind
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Course Par: 71
- Yardage: 7,351 yards
Dates
- March 28 – April 1, 2019 (four‑round tournament, with a cut after the third round due to weather‑related scheduling adjustments).
Field and Qualification
The field consisted of 78 players who qualified through the standard WGC criteria, which include:
- Top 50 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) players as of a specified date.
- Top 30 players from the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list.
- Winners of PGA Tour events awarding full FedEx Cup points since the last WGC event, provided they were ranked within the top 250 in the OWGR.
No amateur players were invited, and the tournament featured a “no‑cut” format; all entrants completed the scheduled 72 holes unless otherwise forced by weather.
Tournament Summary
- Weather: Intermittent rain on the second day caused a brief suspension of play; the schedule was subsequently compressed, with the final round completed on Monday, April 1.
- Scoring: The winning score was 267 (‑13) for the tournament.
Winner
- Champion: Brooks Koepka (USA) – 267 (‑13)
- Runner‑up: Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) – 268 (‑12) (one stroke behind)
- Winner’s Share: Approximately US $1.4 million.
Koepka’s victory marked his third World Golf Championships title within a 12‑month period, having previously won the 2018 WGC‑Match Play and the 2018 WGC‑Dustin Johnson. His performance included a final‑round 66, which secured the one‑stroke margin.
Charitable Component
A portion of the tournament’s proceeds was directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, aligning with FedEx’s long‑standing sponsorship of the institution. The partnership was highlighted throughout the event with on‑site fundraising activities and awareness campaigns.
Subsequent Editions
Following the 2019 debut, the WGC‑FedEx St. Jude Invitational continued as an annual WGC event (subject to PGA Tour scheduling changes) and retained its charitable affiliation with St. Jude, though venue and sponsorship arrangements have varied in later years.
References
- PGA Tour official tournament recaps, 2019 season.
- Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) archives for 2019.
- Press releases from FedEx and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, March–April 2019.
All information presented reflects verifiable sources available up to the knowledge cutoff date.
