Berger eyes rare three-peat at FedEx St. Jude Classic
Daniel Berger will try to win the FedEx St. Jude Classic for the third straight year as play begins at TPC Southwind.
Daniel Berger feels right at home at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
The 25-year-old Floridian goes there this week to try and win the FedEx St. Jude Classic for the third straight year. His two back-to-back wins in this event are his lone PGA Tour victories.
Berger says the reason for his success here is his comfort level on the course.
“I think a lot of it reminds me of the golf course I grew up on,” he said on Wednesday. “Bermuda greens, a lot of familiar tee shots. And, overall, it’s just, it feels like I’m back home. I know it’s Memphis, but it reminds me a lot like Florida.”
In 2016 Berger took the lead with a second-round 64 and never lost it, winning by three shots at 13-under. Last year a bogey-free 66 in the final round allowed him to beat Whee Kim and Charl Schwartzel by a shot. He says the key to playing well here is not trying to force shots.
“I think, mentally, I stayed patient the last two years. I know that the golf course is difficult, and, you know, 20-under par just doesn’t win out here,” he said. “You don’t have to shoot 63-64-64 to have a chance. You just have to hang in there for a couple of days, and you get hot for one or two days and you’re right in there coming down the back-nine on Sunday.”
The last player to win a PGA Tour event three straight years was Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic from 2009 to 2011. Leonard Gallett in the 1930s is the last to have his first three PGA wins all come at the same event.
Berger is looking to match both marks, but he comes into the week not having a great season on tour. He has yet to record a top-10 this year. Still, he feels that despite his struggles the comfort he feels on TPC Southwind gives him a chance this week.
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“I feel like no matter what the state of your game is, when you come back to a place you’ve won you feel comfortable and familiar,” he said.
A strong field is assembled in Memphis as players prepare for the U.S. Open next week. World No. 2 Dustin Johnson is in the field, as are Phil Mickelson and defending U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka.
This is the last year the FedEx St. Jude Classic as players have come to know it will take place. Next season the event will become the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, and move to July.
Berger begins his title defense with Johnson and Austin Cook at 12:50 p.m. CT Thursday.