PGA Tour starts 2023 with Sentry Tournament of Champions with increased Purse of $15 million
39 player field consisting of all tournament winners over the past 12 months on PGA Tour
The traditional opening event of the PGA Tour year starts this week on Thursday with the Sentry Tournament of Champions over The Plantation Course at Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.
It boasts an increased prizefund of $15 million from $8.2 million in 2022.
The 39 player field consisting of all tournament winners over the past 12 months on the PGA Tour calendar invited to play and a new entry criteria added for 2023 to include all 2022 Tour Championship finalists; the top-30 in the previous season’s FedEx Cup Standings.
Only Rory McIlroy (NI) is not playing of those eligible with 17 of the top 20 in the OWGR all entered.
The 7,596 yards, par 73 course is one of the longest played all year on the PGA Tour and has only three par 3’s.
The average width of fairways is 46 yards, with perhaps the largest greens on Tour.
Weather is always a factor as the venue is so exposed to the unpredictable elements of the Maui coastline. Without wind the course has been described as a birdie-fest for the best golfers in the world.
Last year the tournament was won with a score of 34 under par with three players surpassing 30 under par.
Favourites for the title this year include Jon Rahm (Spain), Scottie Scheffler (US) and Patrick Cantlay (US).
Former tournament champions in the field include Justin Thomas (US), Xander Schauffele (US) and Jordan Spieth (US).
PGA Tour
Thursday 5th – 8th January
Sentry Tournament of Champions
Venue: The Plantation Course, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Purse: $15 million