FedEx St. Jude Championship Second-Round Leader Prediction & Odds: Who Leads After Round 2 in TPC Southwind?

The FedEx St. Jude Championship second-round leader prediction and odds markets take center stage this week as the PGA Tour continues on at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. A competitive field will take on a challenging layout while competing for valuable FedEx Cup points during the postseason.

TPC Southwind features narrow fairways, demanding approach shots, and difficult greens that can test players throughout the round. These conditions make the second-round leader market particularly intriguing, as golfers who gain momentum with their irons and take advantage of scoring opportunities can quickly separate from the field. Players who put together strong opening rounds and maintain that momentum on Friday could emerge as strong contenders and create valuable betting opportunities heading into the weekend.

💰 FedEx St. Jude Championship second-round leader predictions

Here are our top golf picks for the 18-hole leader of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

⛳ Who'll lead the FedEx St. Jude Championship after Round 2?

Hideki Matsuyama (+1150)

Hideki Matsuyama enters the second round at 4-under, just one shot off the lead, putting him in an ideal position to take control of the leaderboard. Matsuyama has already proven he can thrive at TPC Southwind, winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship in 2024 and posting five consecutive top-20 finishes at the course.

His elite ball-striking and approach play should allow him to attack scoring opportunities while avoiding the course’s biggest hazards. If Matsuyama can build on his strong opening round, another low score Friday could propel him into the lead.

Chris Gotterup (+1300)

Chris Gotterup enters the second round at 4-under, just one shot off the lead, giving him an excellent opportunity to move to the top of the leaderboard. Gotterup’s aggressive style can be a major asset at TPC Southwind, where players need to capitalize on scoring chances while limiting mistakes.

He also enters the week with valuable playoff experience and the confidence that comes with competing against an elite field. If Gotterup can continue striking the ball well and convert opportunities on the greens, another strong round Friday could propel him into the outright lead.

Sam Burns (+1100)

Sam Burns is in an excellent position to make a move up the leaderboard during Friday’s second round at TPC Southwind. His combination of elite putting and strong all-around play makes him a dangerous contender on a course that rewards consistency. Burns ranks third on Tour in strokes gained: putting and 12th in strokes gained: total, highlighting his ability to gain ground in multiple areas.

With scoring opportunities available, Burns can capitalize on his hot putter, avoid costly mistakes, and post a low round that puts him atop the leaderboard after 36 holes.

⛅ What to consider when betting on the first-round leader

Betting on the second-round leader of any golf tournament is far different than betting on the tournament winner or any prop market.

Here are the factors I always consider with my second-round leader picks:

• Tee times
• Weather
• Course history
• Round 1 + 2 scoring average
• Recent form
• Key stats for the week

The second-round leader betting market is much more volatile than the 72-hole event. As such, the odds for the tournament favorites are higher in this market, and the odds for the long shots are generally slightly shorter when betting on the 18-hole sample.

Early tee times are typically best to target for your picks. Courses are often at their softest and easiest, with no divots in the fairways or wear on the greens. But the weather can significantly change that line of thought. Monitor the weatherto be sure your desired golfers will be dodging the worst of the rain and wind, should any be in the forecast.

I also greatly reduce my timeframe when looking at recent performance entering Friday's second-round.

☀️ Friday's weather at TPC Southwind

Weather from Accuweather:

📊 FedEx St. Jude Championship second-round leader odds

Here are the FedEx St. Jude Championship second-round leader odds via our best golf betting sites.