J.J. Spaun is a winner on TOUR this season as he captured the win at the Valero Texas Open in April, but that was an event preceding The Masters with many big names missing from the field. I don’t think there were many outside of his friends and family that thought he would be leading through 54 holes in this elite field at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
Spaun has surprisingly been the third best player in the field in SG: Tee-to-Green this week, while ranking second on approach. It certainly has been a recipe for success for him as he carries a one-shot lead into the final round over Sepp Straka. The players beyond the final pairing are where things get interesting on Sunday in Memphis as both Will Zalatoris and Cameron Smith linger two shots back of the lead.
Overall, 24 players are just five shots back of the leader going into Sunday, setting up an exciting final round in the first playoff event of the season. I expect many fireworks and with a couple of less daunting names leading the way, there has to be some value in the markets going into the final round.