Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Spieth fires 7-under to share five-way lead at St. Jude
A big golf competition called the St. Jude Championship just started.
It is the first game in a series of playoff tournaments on the PGA Tour.
On the first day, five players scored amazingly well and got the same top score.
Jordan Spieth was one of them, and he played great even though he has not won a tournament in four years.
The others who shared the lead are Jake Knapp, Kurt Kitayama, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Michael Kim.
Many players had to deal with very hot weather in Memphis, Tennessee.
One player, Daniel Berger, could not play because of a back injury.
The players are trying to finish in the top 50 in points so they can keep playing in the next playoff tournament.
One famous player, Scottie Scheffler, who is ranked number one in the world, finished a bit behind but still played okay.
Everyone will keep playing to see who can win this tournament.
Jordan Spieth carded a seven-under 65 to share the first-round lead with Jake Knapp, Kurt Kitayama, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Michael Kim at the PGA Tour St. Jude Championship.
The five-way tie marks the most players to share the lead after the first round in any FedEx Cup playoff event.
A pack on 66 included major winners Adam Scott, Gary Woodland, Hideki Matsuyama, and defending playoff champion Tommy Fleetwood.
Daniel Berger was absent due to a back injury, leaving 69 golfers competing to reach the top 50 in points and advance to the next playoff event in St. Louis.
Spieth, seeking his first PGA victory since the 2022 Heritage, made five birdies in seven holes at sweltering TPC Southwind.
World number one Scottie Scheffler shared 17th place on 68, saying he was 'right on the edge of having a good day.'
- Who
- Jordan Spieth, who co-led with Jake Knapp, Kurt Kitayama, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Michael Kim
- What
- Fired seven-under-par 65s to share the lead after the first round of the PGA Tour St. Jude Championship
- When
- Thursday, the first round of the tournament
- Where
- TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee
- Why
- The St. Jude Championship opens the FedEx Cup playoffs, with golfers aiming for a top-50 finish in points to advance to the next playoff event
- Tournament
- PGA Tour St. Jude Championship
- Event
- FedEx Cup playoff opener
- First-round co-leaders
- Jordan Spieth, Jake Knapp, Kurt Kitayama, Michael Thorbjornsen, Michael Kim (65)
- Course
- TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
- World No. 1
- Scottie Scheffler, tied 17th on 68
- Field
- 69 golfers after Daniel Berger withdrew with a back injury
- Spieth's streak
- Five birdies in seven holes, including a 40-foot putt at the par-three 11th
- Next playoff stop
- St. Louis, for second playoff event