Ted Scott sidelined by family emergency in FedEx St Jude final round

Scottie Scheffler will use Brad Payne as fill-in caddie for the final round after Ted Scott leaves Memphis for a family emergency in Louisiana.

Ted Scott sidelined by family emergency in FedEx St Jude final round

Scottie Scheffler will play the final round at the FedEx St Jude Championship without his regular caddie. Ted Scott left Memphis on Saturday night to address a family matter in Louisiana, and Brad Payne, the PGA Tour chaplain, will serve as the fill-in. Payne previously caddied for Scheffler in the third round of last year's PGA Championship when Scott attended his daughter's graduation. Several caddies offered their services as a sign of respect for both players. Scheffler tees off Sunday two shots behind leader Tommy Fleetwood, aiming to extend his season wins and maintain his top spot in the FedExCup standings as the BMW Championship looms next week.

Payne brings ample experience and a working relationship with Scheffler, which should help preserve rhythm despite the change. The moment highlights how even the best players rely on a trusted team and how personal matters can intersect with elite sport. The outcome could test Scheffler's ability to stay in control of the round and the playoff race.

The episode shows that golf is as much about people as it is about precision. A back-up caddie who knows the player can keep momentum, but the switch also introduces a moment of uncertainty in a pressure-filled round. Payne's presence, and his prior familiarity with Scheffler, offers some continuity when the regular bag is temporarily unavailable. The broader takeaway is that resilience in sport often travels with a well-prepared support crew, not just with a single star.

Looking ahead, how Scheffler handles Sunday could influence perceptions of his season. If he closes strong, the story here may be about depth of leadership on the team and the ability to stay focused despite a personal distraction. If the round stalls, analysts may point to rhythm loss as a potential factor, not a flaw in skill, and the playoff pace remains the same for the tour.

Highlights

Life can disrupt plans but focus often stays with the best players