The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PGA Championship releases early field for Southern Hills
The PGA Championship released an initial field list of 123 players for Southern Hills on May 19-22. It included Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, without either confirming they will be playing, along with Bryson Dechambeau, who in a best-case scenario will be close to recovering from surgery on his left hand.
That leaves 33 players to fill the field, with at least half of those coming from the top 70 on the PGA points list in two weeks after the Wells Fargo Championship. The list is compiled using official PGA Tour earnings dating from last year’s AT&T Byron Nelson.
Aaron Wise is at No. 71 in points going into the Mexico Open; he also is No. 93 in the world, and the PGA Championship typically invites everyone from the top 100. Missing from the early field list is Pablo Larrazabal of Spain, who has gone from No. 207 to No. 68 with two wins in his last four starts on the European tour. His invitation is forthcoming.
The PGA points list after
70th place typically is used to fill the field.
Curry works to bring minorities to game
When he isn’t busy trying to get the Golden State Warriors
back to the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry is doing his part to create golf opportunities for minorities.
His latest venture is expanding his “Underrated” brand into golf by
launching a series of five tournaments in conjunction with the American Junior Golf Association. Boys and girls ages 12 to 18 will compete for the “Curry Cup” at the Underrated Tour Championship at TPC Harding Park.
“Less than 2% of golfers are people of color,” Curry said in a video message. “This provides a platform for equity, access and opportunity for those who can’t get their big break, but also who want to play head-tohead with some of the best players on the AJGA.”
Curry said the tour will be free of charge, inclusive of travel, lodging and meals.
Three years ago, Curry made a seven-figure donation to Howard University to have a golf team for the first time in 40 years.
“Everybody knows I love the game of golf,” he says in the video. “I couldn’t be more excited to extend that love to the best young players across the country.”