Odds Outlook: Scottie Scheffler, not points leader Jon Rahm, favored for Playoffs opener in Memphis

The 2023 FedExCup Playoffs are set to begin with the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, where golfers will navigate TPC Southwind over 72 holes. This event kicks off a three-week series to determine the FedExCup champion, with the top 70 players from the regular season standings vying for success. The competition's structure includes no cut, providing participants with four rounds of play. After this event, the top 50 will qualify for the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago.

Despite Jon Rahm's recent achievement of securing a $4 million bonus for leading the regular season FedExCup standings, oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook have placed their bets on Scottie Scheffler (+700; second in FedExCup). Scheffler, who also holds the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking, is favored over Rahm for the Playoffs opener.

Scheffler's recent streak of seven consecutive top-five finishes was interrupted by a T23 at Royal Liverpool. Nonetheless, he arrives at TPC Southwind well-rested and ready to compete. With five previous starts under his belt, Scheffler is looking to regain the form that led to back-to-back top-15 finishes in the last two editions of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational on this course.

Rory McIlroy (+800; third in points) returns for the seventh time and fifth consecutive season at TPC Southwind. After missing the cut last year, McIlroy aims to capitalize on his strong performances earlier this season, including victories at the Genesis Scottish Open and a T6 finish at The Open Championship. McIlroy's streak of top-10 paydays extends to seven events on TOUR.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm (+850; first in points), sitting atop the odds board, will look to build on his T5 finish from last season. One of eight players to share fifth place, Rahm has consistently shown promise at this Par-70, 7,243-yard layout. Rahm, playing only his fourth event this summer and his second since a T2 finish at Royal Liverpool, is poised to make his mark.

Patrick Cantlay (+1600) seeks a top-10 finish at TPC Southwind for the first time in five seasons. Despite previous modest performances, Cantlay's recent back-to-back BMW Championship wins make him a contender. Xander Schauffele (+1800), known for excelling in no-cut events, enters the competition with a strong record in such formats.

Viktor Hovland (+2000) arrives with momentum from top-10 finishes in major championship events and a victory at the Memorial Tournament. Hovland, returning to TPC Southwind for the fourth consecutive season, aims to build on past performances.

While Will Zalatoris (last year's winner) is not defending his title due to injury, a variety of contenders are vying for success in Memphis. The odds list includes notable players like Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, and others, each with their own aspirations for victory.

The FedEx St. Jude Championship will set the stage for an exciting competition as golfers contend for a slice of the $20 million purse and 2,000 FedExCup points, further shaping the race for the championship.

Please note that this analysis is based on the perspectives of Mike Glasscott and does not necessarily reflect the views of DraftKings. All players should exercise their own skill and judgment when making decisions in fantasy golf and betting.