Mitchell and Spieth eliminated from FedEx Cup playoffs after costly water hazards
Both players missed the top 50 cutoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, with Maverick McNealy securing the final qualifying spot.
Keith Mitchell and Jordan Spieth have been eliminated from the FedEx Cup playoffs after hitting shots into water hazards during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. Their exits conclude their postseason campaigns, with both players finishing outside the top 50 in the points standings required to advance to the BMW Championship.
Mitchell finished 51st in the standings, missing the cutoff by 7.819 points. The American recorded a bogey on the 18th hole after his tee shot and subsequent approach found the water, leaving him without a birdie on the back nine. He admitted he was unaware of his standing until walking off the 17th green, noting that a gust of wind affected his 3-wood off the tee on the final hole.
Spieth finished 52nd after a round that saw him climb as high as No. 45 in the points standings earlier in the day. Bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes pushed him out of contention, and a drive into the water on the 15th proved decisive. Spieth missed birdie putts on the 16th and 17th holes, ultimately finishing with a par on the 18th to record a final-round 70.
Maverick McNealy secured the final qualifying spot at 50th place, eliminating Brian Harman who finished 65th after a final-round 75. McNealy shot a 69, featuring a bogey-free back nine with two birdies, to tie for 19th in the tournament. He noted that the top 50 number is currently the most critical metric on the PGA Tour, expressing excitement to compete in St. Louis.
The top 50 players in the points standings advance to the BMW Championship and are guaranteed entry into next year’s $20 million signature events. Scottie Scheffler won the FedEx St. Jude Championship, breaking a tournament record, while Sungjae Im moved from 53rd to 50th in the standings, keeping his hopes alive for the Tour Championship.
