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2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Southwind

By Mike Randleman

Jul 27, 2019; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of a tee box marker FedEx Express van on the fourth hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2019; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of a tee box marker FedEx Express van on the fourth hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Viktor Hovland tees off on the Par 4, No. 17 during the second round of the 2020 WGC FedEx-St. Jude Invitational on Friday, July 31, 2020 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.Edit Wgc W 26060
Viktor Hovland tees off on the Par 4, No. 17 during the second round of the 2020 WGC FedEx-St. Jude Invitational on Friday, July 31, 2020 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.Edit Wgc W 26060 /

Viktor Hovland may be a newcomer this week to the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings, but he’s an old favorite in my power rankings.

The pride of Norway played well last week at the Olympics, nearly bringing home a medal. The 23-year-old fired three rounds in the 60s with a closing 64 to finish T-14th out of 60.

That doesn’t sound overly impressive, but the leaderboard in Japan was packed. Hovland was just three shots out of a playoff for the bronze medal and just six off the lead.

Hovland didn’t quite get the subtleties of TPC Southwind down in 2020. He bookended his WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational debut with rounds in the 60s, but struggled in the middle to settle for T-59th.

In 28 events since Memphis, Hovland’s finished higher than 59th 26 times. A missed cut and a withdrawal (which likely would have been a missed cut) are his two other blemishes.

Hovland’s been ultra consistent throughout his budding career that features two PGA Tour wins and a win this summer at the European Tour’s BMW International Open in Germany.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboy (wonder what he thinks about rival Oklahoma going to the SEC?) ranks sixth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (.701) and 19th in SG approach (.604). Hovland is also sixth in proximity from 125-150 yards (19’10”) and from 175-200 (30’4”).

He’s also one of the game’s best at combining strength and accuracy off the tee.

“Yeah, you definitely need to hit fairways out here,” Hovland was quoted by Tee Scripts in 2020. “If you’re in the rough, you’re just not going to get very close, especially with the fairways being very soft.”

The name of the game at this week’s course is taking advantage of the easier holes on the card and limiting the damage on the tough ones. Hovland ranks third in birdie average (4.37) and is fifth in bounce backs from bogeys or worse (28.41%).

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