PGA Tour Champions set for Schwab Cup in Phoenix
The golf world has settled back to mostly normal, but the 2020 calendar certainly was turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic.
Dozens of tourneys on the major golf tours were canceled, including several major championships.
On the PGA Tour Champions, a total of 14 events were knocked off the calendar, although two new ones were added last-minute in August. Four of the five senior majors were lost this year.
Further fallout included the loss of tour’s seasonending championship. The circuit is still holding the Charles Schwab Cup Championship this week at Phoenix Country Club, but now the tournament is simply part of a combined 2020-2021 season. So on Sunday, the 2020 tournament winner will be crowned — but the next Charles Schwab Cup will be awarded in November 2021.
The field was increased from 78 golfers to 81, while the event was reduced from 72 holes to 54.
Here’s a closer look at some of the big names set to tee it up this week.
Bernhard Langer
Winner of 41 Champions tour events and a fivetime Charles Schwab Cup Champion. He tied for second on Sunday in the TimberTech Championship, finishing runner up to Darren Clarke, who won his first PGA Tour Champions title. Langer leads the points race. The World Golf Hall of Famer has earned more than $40 million while playing on the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions the past 45 years; $30 million of that was won on the senior circuit.
Jim Furyk
Won his first two starts on the senior circuit, becoming the second to ever do so. He tied Langer for second at the TimberTech. “I’ve enjoyed playing the Champions Tour, to be honest with you. I feel like I’ll play a handful of PGA Tour events next year, but I think this is kind of my home,” Furyk said last week. “It’s been nice kind of getting the juices flowing and having chances to win golf tournaments.”
Mike Weir
Turned 50 the same day as Furyk. Has posted three top-10 finishes in just eight starts, including a runner-up finish to Mickelson three weeks ago.
Ernie Els
Turned 51 in October and he, too, has won twice this season. His first came in Newport Beach, California, in the Champions tour’s last event before the shutdown. He won again a month ago.
Jeff Maggert
The defending champion of the event, Maggert holed a wedge shot from 124 yards out on the third hole of a playoff with Retief Goosen to capture the 2019 title in the Charles Schwab Cup.
John Daly
He was the first-round co-leader in Boca Raton, Florida, last week, before settling for a T-26 finish. He has one Champions tour win, in 2017, and just 10 top-10 finishes in 77 starts. He remains a fan favorite.
Hale Irwin
Winningest player in Champions tour history with 45 victories.
The venue
Phoenix Country Club will host the Charles Schwab Cup Championship for the fourth time. PCC is a parkland-style golf course that hosted the Phoenix Open from 1932 to 1986.
No fans, for the most part
The Schwab tournament this week is closed to the general public, although tournament officials are making about 350 daily tickets available to Phoenix Country Club members and sponsors.
On TV
Golf Channel will have live coverage all three days from 2 to 4:30 p.m.