Golf moves from Ireland to Memphis for St. Jude Invitational

In a quick turnaround, the PGA has sent the world's best from Ireland to Memphis, via Gate B43.

A fleet of Ford Expeditions from Memphis International Airport ushered some of the best crusty-eyed top 50 golfers to TPC Southwind for this year's installment of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. The World Golf Championships are renowned as an extension of the Majors, primarily given the B.B. King-sized purses, as well as caliber of talent. Who will best shake off the Portrush wind burn to be in this week's Memphis mix?

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From fish 'n chips to Corky's BBQ

It comes as no surprise that the favorites this week are still shaking British Open sand out of their ears. Speaking of a head-shaking moment, even though Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (+1000) missed last week's cut by a one-foot kick-in, his second round proved he has the game and grit to come back from major disappointment. Will McIlroy continue to build on his second-round 65 at Royal Portrush this week or be singing the blues on Beale Street? At a paltry +1000, our money is better off in a panhandler's pail.

The bashing blues brothers are also at the top of the favorite list heading down to Memphis. Brooks Koepka (+900) powered his way through the gusting winds and sideways rain last week to finish tied for fourth at the Open. However, the last time Koepka took the red-eye after a major (U.S. Open), the following week's result was an exhausted, yawn-infused disappointment. Will history repeat itself? Not if his gym bro Dustin Johnson (+900) has anything to say about it. DJ is slowly putting his game back together, coming off of a T-51st at the Open. So look for double shots of protein and bicep busting bashes, as the two plan on overpowering the getable TPC Southwind course this week.

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The guitar case coin...

If Tony Finau (+3200) is on the harmonica, then Adam Scott (+2900) will strum the guitar. Both are well versed and primed to make sweet music in Memphis. Finau is following up an extraordinary final round at the British Open, where he finished alone in third place, while Scott will be more rested coming off a missed cut at Royal Portrush. As the FedEx Cup chase heats up, both Finau and Scott know the importance of cashing in max Cup points. Both are well worth the patron pourboire this week, but my tip coinage will be in Finau's harmonica case.

When Louisville meets Memphis...

Justin Thomas (+1350) showed no signs of the wrist injury that slowed him down earlier in the year, as he finished tied for 11th last week in Ireland. All the more impressive was handling the final-round elements, as he tweeted a glimpse of how torrential Royal Portush had become Sunday. The 26-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native is showing the same signs of the man who won the PGA and FedEx Cup championships just two years ago. Thomas' rhythm and tempo will be on full display as he rises victorious in Graceland.