South Korean golfer Tom Kim’s misfortune became a windfall for Nick Dunlap and Keegan Bradley during the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday, which played a pivotal role in determining the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama emerged victorious in the tournament, birdieing his final two holes to leap from eighth to third in the FedEx Cup standings. While Matsuyama's win was significant, the focus was on the battle for playoff spots, as the top 50 finishers not only advanced to the BMW Championship but also secured spots in all eight PGA Tour signature events in 2025.
Keegan Bradley, who entered the week ranked 39th in FedEx Cup points, found himself in a precarious position after finishing the tournament 1 over par. Despite his struggles, Bradley managed to cling to the 50th spot, narrowly avoiding elimination from the playoffs. His placement was secured due to Tom Kim’s late collapse, which saw Kim drop from 6 under to 1 under, ultimately pushing him out of the top 50 and into the 51st position, missing the playoff cut by the slimmest of margins.
Tom Kim’s disappointing finish, which included a bogey and two double bogeys in his final three holes, was a significant blow to his season. Reflecting on his performance, Kim admitted that the heavy schedule, including his participation in the Olympics earlier in the month, had taken a toll on his mental sharpness. Acknowledging his fatigue, Kim expressed a readiness to recharge during the offseason, despite the frustration of narrowly missing the top 50.
Nick Dunlap, on the other hand, was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the weekend’s results. The PGA Tour rookie surged from 67th to 48th in the standings after a strong T5 finish at the St. Jude. Despite being in contention on Sunday, Dunlap settled for a 1-under 69, finishing four strokes behind Matsuyama. The young golfer admitted to feeling extreme nerves as he fought to keep his season alive, emphasizing the importance of his continued participation in the playoffs and the enjoyment he’s found in his rookie year.
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