WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational: Power ranking the top 10 at TPC Southwind

MEMPHIS, TN - JUNE 08: Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind on June 8, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - JUNE 08: Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind on June 8, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – JUNE 12: Bryson DeChambeau (R) prepares to tee off on the 12th hole during round two of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind on June 12, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – JUNE 12: Bryson DeChambeau (R) prepares to tee off on the 12th hole during round two of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind on June 12, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) /

Bryson DeChambeau makes his third trip to Memphis but will make his first start here since entering his prime. He finished T-45 in 2015 and missed the cut in 2017.

It’s been a polarizing 2018-19 PGA Tour season for the 25-year-old star. He won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last fall to kick off seven straight top-15s worldwide. That span included a win on the European Tour in Dubai.

DeChambeau went into a tail spin after that, with 10 straight finishes of T20 or worse. A recent rally saw him climb to T-8 at the Travelers Championship and contend down to the last putt at the 3M Open (T-2) before coming back down to earth at the British Open (MC).

His major championships run was disappointing: T29-MC-T35-MC. Contending in big events is the next step up for Bryson, but I think a test like this week is well within his means.

DeChambeau ranks 15th on Tour in total strokes gained. He’s hitting the ball very well (ranked 31st on TOUR in strokes gained tee to green) and rolling it, too (23rd in strokes gained putting). His short game has been a nuisance, but that can be negated at TPC Southwind.

DeChambeau is a lock for the Presidents Cup. With the pressure of the majors behind him, it would not be a shock if he got hot and won the FedEx Cup. A win at the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational could be the springboard he needs to to start another streak.