[ad_1]
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Colonial Country Club is the longest-standing host of a PGA Tour tournament held at its home site, a fact that seemed to be under threat not long ago.
Local businesses supported the tournament last year, when it was called the Fort Worth Invitational, following the withdrawal of an upscale grocer as the main sponsor two years later, in a six-year contract. years.
Now, the event that was played for the first time at Hogan's Alley in 1946 is once again solid as the Charles Schwab challenge. The tournament starts on Thursday.
& # 39; & # 39; Been here since 1946. Was essentially at the same place in our calendar. There has been a lot of change in our calendar. This has not changed. I do not see that changing, "Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, told Colonial on Wednesday. & # 39; & # 39; It's the story, the tradition, the passionate fan base, the success we've had, the impact we've had. We will do our utmost to ensure that these events take place here. & # 39; & # 39;
The stages of the Dallas-Fort Worth circuit, Byron Nelson and Colonial, were split this year by the move of the PGA Championship until May, from the end of the summer. Two weeks ago, the Nelson's were played at Trinity Forest Golf Club for the second time after leaving the Four Seasons TPC.
Nine of the top 20 world players are at Colonial, leading Justin Rose, third in the standings, the reigning champion.
While PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka and runner-up Dustin Johnson, the top two players, take a week off, five of the top ten are in North Texas. Koepka, who at 17 was the second runner-up behind Rose in 2018, was one of only two top 20 players in Nelson two weeks ago.
Departure times of the Charles Schwab Challenge
Charles Schwab Challenge: articles, photos and videos
Financial services provider Charles Schwab & Co. was already very involved in golf when he became the main sponsor in Colonial, where Ben Hogan, Hall of Fame member from Fort Worth, was a member of the club and had won the first PGA Tour event for the first of his five wins. his home course.
Charles Schwab signed a four-year agreement until 2022 with an option to add.
"We love being here in Fort Worth," said Monahan. & # 39; & # 39; We love the support we get. And knowing that it is a brand focused on elevation, innovation and challenges, this is the perfect time to enter. This event has a bright future, and we know you will push it to new heights in the coming years. & # 39; & # 39;
Among the champions of the PGA Tour, the Charles Schwab Cup is awarded to the best player of the season for players over 50 years. On Wednesday, the company donated $ 5 million to the First Tee program to help expand its programs and increase its impact on Texas youth.
After Dean and Deluca resigned after two years, local companies such as American Airlines, AT & T, XTO Energy and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway helped the Colonial Country Club organize the tournament. last year.
Jordan Spieth, without a win since the British Open 2017, has just finished first in the top 20 of the season after being tied for third in the PGA last week.
While Spieth played his first tournament on the circuit as a 16-year-old amateur at Nelson in 2010, the Dallas-born player also considers Colonial a tournament in his hometown. Spieth won the 2016 Colonial.
Ryan Palmer plays on his home run, where Cadet James Edmondson won several club championships. Palmer's only win on the PGA Tour since 2010 was won by Jon Rahm in the two-team event, although his four top-10s were among the top 10 in 14 starts this season already its best since 2015.
At Colonial, Palmer missed the cut last year after finishing tied for 70th place in 2017, one year after his best colonial performance in third place. He missed the cup four times at Hogan's Alley and got an average of 33rd in his other 11 appearances, including three in the top 10.
"It's hard sometimes, because the pressure I put on myself and you want to play so well, and that so many of my friends and family are here at the Colonial Country Club," Palmer said. & # 39; & # 39; James and I both play regularly. I guess it's our fifth major. & # 39; & # 39;
[ad_2]
Source link