The 2019 FedEx St. Jude Invitational: Inside the Course (TPC Southwind Review)

The PGA Tour heads to Memphis, Tennessee this week for the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational after moving from Firestone Country Club for the last 19 years. 

 

TPC Southwind is a par-70, 7,237 hosts the event, and is a great test of golf from tee to green.  Hitting fairways and par-4 scoring will be instrumental in determining a winner.  Distance off the tee will help some, but there are only two par-5s on the course and both are reachable by almost every player in the field. 

Bermuda rough, narrow fairways, more than 90 bunkers, and 10 water hazards are the main protections on Southwind.  Greens are fast and firm, running about 12 on the Stimpmeter, and can be tough to hold on longer approach shots.  Historically Southwind ranks inside the 15 most difficult courses the players see every year. 

 

There's a definite reward to accuracy off the tee at Southwind.  Fairways are seeded with Zoysia grass, which is velvety, almost mat-like grass that almost replicates hitting off a tee.  Driver off the deck would be effortless here if it was needed, as the ball will sit up perfectly.  There are plenty of bail-out spots on the course, but players who opt for these areas will be punished with significantly more problematic next shots. 

Signature Hole 
The par-3, 157-yard, No. 11 draws inspiration from Pete Dye's iconic island green at TPC Sawgrass.  Like the 17th at Sawgrass, No. 11 requires a short iron over water to an island green with a small pot bunker that guards the front. 

 

The 11th isn't as dramatic as its sibling hole at Sawgrass, but it can be just as wicked, especially if players misjudge the wind.  And the intimidating visual can play tricks on even the strongest minds.  It's common to see more bogies here than birdies. 

Birdie Watch 
The ticklish, par-4, 457 yard 9th hole plays slightly downhill into a large green protected by water in the front, and two bunkers in the back. The hole doglegs right, making a tee shot on the right side of the fairway preferable for best angles on approach. 

 

A large tree on the right could potentially block shots into the green.  However players who do so will have great looks at birdies as the putting surface is fairly straightforward. 

Bogey Alert 
The demanding par-4, 453-yard, No. 18 is a difficult dogleg-left finishing hole with water down entire left side.  Because the fairway narrows and is pinched by water on the left and two bunkers on the right, some players will likely use hybrid or wood off the tee to fit in the fairway. 

 

Spectator mounds surround a medium-sized green, making it hard to get up and down, and even harder to make birdie.  Historically the 18th at Southwind is one of the most difficult on the course.