GERMANTOWN (Tenn.) – It takes an hour and 27 mins to drive from Memphis, Tennessee, the home of Graceland and Tupelo Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Hayden Buckley is an expert on the subject. He was born in Chattanooga, but was raised in Tupelo. Projected FedExCup standings “We would come to Memphis a lot,” said Buckley, who shot a third-round 65 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and is projected to move from 95th to 59th in the FedExCup, inside the cutoff for next week’s top-70 BMW Championship. “I would fly to Memphis whenever I went home, or back in to go home. It feels like home to me a bit.” He stated that he played TPC Southwind a few times and although he moved to South Florida, he said that he still had 50 friends and family members following him Saturday. Because of his good gallery mojo, and even better putting, he was one the largest FedExCup movers. The 26-year old rookie entered the FedEx St. Jude ranked number 178 in Strokes Gained Putting. However, he was first at TPC Southwind that Saturday. He needed only 23 putts to complete his seven-birdie and two-bogey efforts. He is currently 9 under par, four behind J.J. Spaun (68). Buckley stated that the stakes this weekend were important not only for next week but also next year. Buckley said that every shot or every birdie matters. He was T4 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, and T8 at Shriners Children’s Open. However, he had missed four consecutive cuts by the time he played at a U.S. Open qualifier. He not only made it through but also placed T14 at U.S. Open. Since then, he has not missed a cut. Buckley stated, “I can remember qualifying for U.S. Open and saying that this is kinda my first good thing in almost two months.” “… After missing six cuts for seven weeks, I wasn’t sure if it was possible to make it. It was close to home that I wanted to be there. It was difficult for two months. “I made some changes and they paid off,” he stated. He said that the biggest change was after he had missed the cut at Colonial’s Charles Schwab Challenge. Scott Fawcett, course management specialist, helped him to make the necessary adjustments. Buckley stated that he went out on Saturday with Scott Fawcett to play golf. He just spoke to him and then things began to happen. I feel stronger. My game is maturing, and my putting has improved. He said that he was struggling to put for a while. I made the necessary changes. “I made the changes. He believes he may have aggravated it while playing on the hard surface at the 3M Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic (T26). He also said that this is his 30th season start. He said that he felt he needed to be a rookie and play in any position he could. His Wyndham weekend that was not the best for him might have been, in retrospect. His fans were also pleased. Buckley stated, “I haven’t really looked in the crowd.” Buckley said, “I’m going see them here in the little bit. … I don’t get to come home much and it’s nice to have that support close to home.” NOTES: Trey Mullinax, who began the week in the 70th and final BMW Championship-eligible position in the FedExCup, is making a bid to not only keep his season alive but maybe position himself for the top-30 TOUR Championship. Mullinax shot 66 to get 11 under par, his first PGA TOUR victory at the Barbasol Championship. He is just two behind the leader. FedExCup No. Adam Schenk 93 shot 66, but has still got a lot to learn. He is expected to finish 76th, just below the BMW cutoff. Ryan Palmer shot 69, and is projected to move up from FedExCup No. With one round left, he is one shy of finishing his season at FedExCup No. 71st. BMW BUBBLE WATCH These are the projected players who will move up or down in the FedExCup’s top 70. The top 70 players will move on to the second Playoffs event, the BMW Championship at Wilmington (Del.). Country Club. PROJECTED IN Wyndham Clark (No. 79, projected at 51): After a T8 at Rocket Mortgage Classic, Clark was 4 Under for the first four holes on Saturday, his third consecutive 67. He is 9 under and will play the final round four ahead of J.J. Spaun (68). Andrew Putnam (No. Andrew Putnam (No.87, projected to 55). Shot 67 to join a large team tied for 6th at 9 under, four behind. After enduring seven missed cuts in eight starts this spring, he found some success with T11 at 3M Open as well as T27 at Wyndham Championship. Hayden Buckley (No. 95, projected to be 59): He was enjoying some good mojo near home and much improved his putting, as he was the first to gain strokes on Saturday’s greens. Adam Scott (No. 77, projected at 64): Signed to a 70 for a 7-under, six-back going into Sunday. Scott is currently in eighth place in the International Presidents Cup Team Standings. Only the top eight finishers after the BMW qualify for this team. If he fails to make it on points, International Capt Trevor Immelman will take a captain’s choice. Tyler Duncan (No. 118, projected at 57): Shot to 10 under three back. RSM Classic winner from two seasons ago hasn’t finished in the top 10 this season. He said, “Obviously, the results aren’t there.” “I feel like the game is moving in the right direction. I feel like I made many improvements and they haven’t paid off yet.” PROJECTED TO OUT Alex Smalley (No. 61, projected up to 72: A Duke product and PGA TOUR rookie failed to make the FedEx St. Jude cut. Anirban Lahiri (No. 63, projected up to 73): Anirban Lahiri (No. Brendon Todd (No. 68, projected at 74: Won two times and placed a career-best 20th in FedExCup two years ago. However, he will need to perform better than his even-par 70 in the third round. John Huh (No. 67, projected at 75): Wyndham Championship runner up withdrew due to a lower back injury. He had shot 40 on his nine first holes Friday. Lanto Griffin (No. 69, projected up to 77): Not in the field following recent back surgery.
By: Cameron Morfit
Title: FedExCup update: People’s choice Hayden Buckley makes move at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/news/2022/08/13/fedexcup-update-peoples-choice-hayden-buckely-fedex-st-jude-championship-tpc-southwind.html
Published Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400
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