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

By Mike Randleman

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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PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 18: Justin Thomas of the United States plays a shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 18: Justin Thomas of the United States plays a shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

I’ve been dubious about picking Justin Thomas in my rankings post-wrist injury suffered this spring, but I think he’s beginning to regain his form. That’s a big-time confidence boost heading into the stretch run of the PGA TOUR season.

Thomas has made four of his last five cuts with three landing him in the top 20. He was on the fringe of contention over in Europe both at the Scottish Open (T-9) and at the British Open (T-11).

His 41.07% driving rate last week is not great, but he still managed to hit two-thirds of his greens. You’re not doing that from out of position if you aren’t at least close to fully healthy.

Thomas ranks second in strokes gained tee to green, 11th in strokes gained around the green and third in SG approach. It’s been the putter that’s been the Achilles heel (170th in strokes gained putting). He’s never been elite on the greens, but he has it in him to be inside the top 50, which he was the past two seasons.

This will be Thomas’ debut at TPC Southwind. He is, however, the tournament defending champ having won at Firestone in 2018. That was his last victory, but since then he’s got nine worldwide top-10s.

He took two weeks off prior to his recent two-week stint in Europe, so hopefully the 26-year-old has enough gas in the tank to show well.

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