Five things to know: WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational

_What you need to know as a star-studded field heads to TPC Southwind for the second World Golf Championships of the year_

The return to WGC golf

Some of the world’s best are set to tee up this week in the second World Golf Championships of the year, the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

Current Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed captured the first WGC title in 2020 when he held off Bryson DeChambeau in Mexico City, and joins an elite field that includes 44 of the world’s top 50 players.

They return to TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, for a second consecutive year following a successful debut in 2019 that saw four-time Major Champion Brooks Koepka lift his first WGC trophy.

Rahm makes first start as World Number One

Jon Rahm is full of confidence as he makes his first start since becoming World Number One just ten days ago.

The Spaniard, who finished eighth here last year before his stunning end to 2019, is hopeful that he can consolidate his position at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings.

He said: "It would be foolish of me to say that I'm not here thinking I'm the best player.

"It was a goal, it's something I set out to accomplish a long time ago and it's a true honour and it's humbling to be here, knowing how hard I've worked to get to this point.

"It's almost a consequence of how you've played in a long time. It's not just like the last two weeks or whatever. Getting to number one in the world, you need to play good golf consecutively for a very long time. I played great golf the last four years, but I can only help but think I can keep playing that good or better to hopefully stay here for a long time."

Koepka defends

Brooks Koepka earned his third title of the year with a dominant final round display in last year’s tournament, carding a five under par 65 to win by three strokes.

The former World Number One has struggled on his return but holds an impressive record at TPC Southwind, which includes a runner up finish and a tie for third when the event was a regular stop on the PGA Tour as the FedEx St Jude Classic.

Rory looks to extend impressive run

Rory McIlroy may have been overtaken at the top of the World Rankings for the first time since February, but he could ensure Rahm’s reign is short-lived with a victory this week.

The Northern Irishman has an impressive record at WGC’s, having finished inside the top five in the last four events, which includes tied for fourth in Memphis last year and his most recent victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

A win this week would not only move McIlroy back to the top of the rankings, but it would also see him join 14-time Major Champion Tiger Woods as the only two-time winner of this particular WGC.

Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Shane Lowry and Koepka could also claim this accolade with a victory in Memphis.

The Return to TPC Southwind

TPC Southwind hosts the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational for the second year in a row, having previously been home to the FedEx St Jude Classic on the PGA Tour from 1989 until 2018.

The course has been lengthened to 7,277 yards for the tournament this year, predominantly due to new tees at the par five third hole and par four 17th. In addition, every bunker on the course has been renovated.