2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship picks, best bets: Jon Rahm predictions from golf model that nailed 10 majors

The 2023 FedEx Cup Playoffs begin on Thursday, Aug. 10, when the FedEx St. Jude Championship tees off from TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn. Jon Rahm currently sits atop the FedEx Cup standings, followed by Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Max Homa and Wyndham Clark. Only the top 70 golfers in the regular season standings are eligible to play in the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship – down from 125 in years past.

According to the latest 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship odds, Scheffler is the +650 favorite, with McIlroy (+800) and Rahm (+800) next in line. Other notable contenders include Patrick Cantlay (+1400), Xander Schauffele (+1600), Viktor Hovland (+1800) and Jordan Spieth (+2500). The winner of this week's event will receive 2,000 FedEx Cup points, which could go a long way in determining the FedEx Cup champion. 

Jon Rahm's Recent Form

Rahm has been sensational this season, securing four wins and 10 top-10 finishes. He claimed his second major championship with a victory at the Masters in April, and he's coming off a T-2 finish at the Open Championship in July. 

The 28-year-old has been able to secure those positive results thanks to his impeccable accuracy with his irons. Rahm currently ranks third in greens in regulation percentage (71.28%) and strokes gained: approach to green (0.982). And while he ranks 110th in driving accuracy (59.00%), Rahm can make up ground with his putter. He ranks third in putting average (1.700) and 21st in strokes gained: putting (0.475). 

Those impressive statistics have helped Rahm average 4.61 birdies per round this season, which ranks first on the PGA Tour. The Spaniard has racked up 272 birdies in 59 rounds, helping him post a 68.68 scoring average, the second-best mark on tour. 

Rahm has also had success at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in recent years. In fact, Rahm secured a T-5 finish at TPC Southwind in 2022 after shooting 69 or below in all four rounds. 

About TPC Southwind

Rahm will be part of a strong contingent playing the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship. TPC Southwind will host the star-studded tournament, which is hosting a FedEx Cup Playoffs event for just the second time. The course features Bermuda greens, while offering plenty of challenging holes with a plethora of water hazards, plus undulating zoysia fairways. 

Designed by Ron Prichard, TPC Southwind opened in 1988. The par-70 layout rewards players who are able to hit the fairway and avoid the water. The course features narrow, tree-lined fairways with either a water hazard or a bunker in the landing area. In total, 11 of 18 holes feature some sort of water hazard, so precision will be paramount this week. TPC Southwind plays at approximately 7,243 yards.

Will Zalatoris defeated Sepp Straka in a playoff last season, but he'll be unable to defend his title at TPC Southwind after missing the majority of the year with a back injury. 

How will Rahm fare at the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2023, and which HUGE longshots make a serious run at the title? ... Join SportsLine right now to see who you can bank on to win the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship, and see which longshots make a run at the title, all from the model that's nailed 10 majors, including this year's Masters and Open Championship!