This tournament should be renamed "four rounds to warm up for the US Open." I'm not sure you could get a title sponsor, but all eyes are focused westward on Chambers Bay and next week's major championship.
Still, we have 72 holes to get through to crown a champ.
Let's take a look at this tournament:
What: St. Jude Classic
Where: Memphis, Tennessee
When: Thursday-Sunday (June 11-14)
How to watch (all times Eastern): Golf Channel (Thursday, Friday from 4-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. and CBS (Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m.) CBSSports.com (Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m.)
Participants and odds
Dustin Johnson: 6-1
Billy Horschel: 14-1
Phil Mickelson: 14-1
Ryan Palmer: 16-1
Webb Simpson: 16-1
Harris English: 22-1
Brooks Koepka: 25-1
Jamie Donaldson: 33-1
Luke Donald: 33-1
Field strength: C
No offense to the Lefty, but when Phil Mickelson is the third-heaviest favorite, that's probably not a great thing for your tournament (especially right now).
Story to watch: Patrick Rodgers has received his special temporary membership. Now he looks to make the most of it.
Rodgers is one of the better young stars in the sport who, along with Justin Thomas, is still winless. He'll earn his tour card by finishing in the top 125 on the money list or in FedEx Cup points. He's inside that number on both right now, but the finish line is months away.
I'm intrigued by what he can accomplish over the next few tournaments.
Past winners
2014: Ben Crane
2013: Harris English
2012: Dustin Johnson
2011: Harrison Frazar
2010: Lee Westwood
That's a pretty decent list of winners for this tournament normally falling in front of the US Open. DJ should win it every year (possible hot take there).
Let's pick this tournament.
Expert picks
| Player | Pick | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
Winner | Camilo Villegas has had sort of a crazy run here with four top-11s in his last five starts. No wins in that span, but by far the most consistent showing of anyone in this field. Odds: 90-1 |
 |
Top 10 | Phil Mickelson is going to play well out of nowhere here and then convince you he's ready to take the U.S. Open next week at Chambers Bay. Lock of the week. Odds: 14-1 |
 |
Sleeper | Patrick Rodgers is prone to succumbing to the large number (see: Quail Hollow and Memorial), but at 66-1 with his future at stake, I like him. Odds: 66-1 |
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