The PGA Tour calendar shows that it is the third week of January, which means that the Tour has arrived in the Coachella Valley for the American Express. However, this year, the Tour players are gathering under a new schedule that has elevated the importance of the desert event.
Changes to the PGA Tour Schedule
The Tour has made significant changes to its schedule, ending a 10-year experiment with a wraparound season. Previously, the FedEx Cup points race started in September and ended with the Tour Championship in August. Now, the chase for FedEx Cup points aligns with the start of the calendar year, making the American Express the third event in the chase, preceded only by the Sentry and the Sony Open in Hawaii.
This change not only creates a shorter 36-event schedule but also provides potential benefits for early-season tournaments like the American Express.
Increased Importance of the American Express
The condensed season means that players will have to play more tournaments in a shorter timeframe. Pat McCabe, the American Express executive director, explains that players are eager to get back into tournament golf after an ‘off season’ break. In some cases, golfers may have zero FedEx Cup points heading into the American Express if they didn’t qualify for the Sentry or skipped the Sony Open. This makes the American Express a crucial opportunity for these golfers to earn points and qualify for future events.
The Tour has introduced the Aon Next 10 and the Aon Swing 5, allowing 15 players to make the field of the signature events. The top 10 players in FedEx Cup points who are not otherwise eligible after the tournament before a signature event can qualify for that event. Additionally, the top five point earners in a series of events before the signature events also make the field. For the upcoming Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the American Express is part of a Swing 5 points chase that includes the Sony Open and the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
McCabe emphasizes the importance of these elevated events, stating that players who weren’t initially qualified for the next elevated event would need to perform well at tournaments like the American Express to secure a spot. The ultimate goal for many players is to compete in these high-profile events.
The West Coast Swing and Signature Events
The West Coast Swing features three signature events: The Sentry, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Genesis Invitational. The Sentry, being the first event of the calendar year, is filled by golfers who have won in the previous two years. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is undergoing format changes, becoming a no-cut tournament with 80 golfers and only played on two courses instead of three. The Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods, boasts a larger field and a 36-hole cut.
With the new PGA Tour schedule, early-season tournaments like the American Express have gained increased significance. As players navigate the condensed season and compete for FedEx Cup points, the American Express provides a valuable opportunity to earn points and qualify for prestigious events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Golf enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting start to the season with the heightened importance of these early tournaments.
By: Larry Bohannan
Title: New PGA Tour Schedule Elevates Importance of Early Season Tournaments like the American Express
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/01/15/pga-tour-schedule-signature-events-american-express/
Published Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 19:00:21 +0000
Leave a Reply