FedEx St. Jude Championship Excluded from 2028 Top-Tier Championship Series

The PGA Tour confirmed Wednesday that the FedEx St. Jude Championship will lose its top-tier status starting in the 2028 season.

The PGA Tour confirmed Wednesday that the FedEx St. Jude Championship will not be included in the top-tier Championship Series beginning in 2028. This decision ends the tournament's tenure as the leadoff postseason event, a role it has held since 2022. While the Memphis-based competition is losing its premier status, it remains under consideration for the Challenger Series, a secondary tier of approximately 20 tournaments designed to serve as a feeder system for the more lucrative Championship Series.

Memphis has been a staple of professional golf since 1958, hosting various iterations of tour events for 70 years. The tournament's recent history includes a transition to World Golf Championship status in 2019 following a loss of sponsorship at Firestone Country Club. It subsequently became a playoff event in 2022 after another sponsor declined to renew. Last year, Justin Rose secured a victory at TPC Southwind by defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff. Despite the competitive finishes on a course lined by residential homes, the event has struggled with sparse attendance during weekday rounds, largely attributed to the intense August heat.

Future of the FedEx Cup and Postseason Structure

The exclusion of Memphis from the 2028 elite schedule raises significant questions regarding the FedEx Cup, which was established in 2007. During a presentation in late June, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp introduced the new Championship and Challenger Series format without utilizing the FedEx Cup branding in his visual materials. When questioned about the discrepancy, Rolapp noted that the tour is currently honoring an existing contract with FedEx, whom he described as an amazing partner.

The tour's postseason currently features two events located in the South, including the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta, which has hosted the season finale every year since 2004. Unlike these fixed venues, the BMW Championship is the only postseason tournament that rotates locations. The tour is currently discussing a complete overhaul of the postseason, including potential changes to the format and specific venues as they map out the schedule for 2028 and beyond.

Memphis and St. Jude Partnership Outlook

FedEx expressed disappointment regarding the tournament’s removal from the upper tier but emphasized an unwavering commitment to the city of Memphis. The company stated it is encouraged by plans to find alternative opportunities to bring professional golf to the region and will continue its mission to support St. Jude. The PGA Tour echoed this sentiment, stating that Memphis is well-positioned to remain part of the tour under the new competitive model.

Reports regarding the demotion first surfaced through The Commercial Appeal and Sports Business Journal before the tour's official statement. Official representatives confirmed that conversations remain ongoing regarding the future of the partnership as the tour prepares for the upcoming events at TPC Southwind next week and again in 2027. The tour credited FedEx for its positive community impact and contributions to the sport throughout their long-standing relationship.