The PGA Tour’s regular season draws to a close this week, as it regularly has in recent times, at the historic Sedgefield Country Club and Wyndham Championship that similarly owns a storied history.
Before it was known by a sponsor’s title, this event was the Greater Greensboro Open where Sam Snead won eight times, including his final victory in 1965 at the age of 52.
Not just a history lesson for the field and fans, this week is the final chance for those players outside the top-125 on the FedExCup standings to make their way into the Playoffs, and for those on the inside to secure their place and status for next season.
A mix of name players looking to move up the rankings and lesser lights hoping to ensure a job for next year make up the field this week, with the Wyndham also marking the final TV broadcast for six-time major winner and long-time expert commentator Sir Nick Faldo.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: The 2021 event ended in quite a scene with a six-man play-off taking place in North Carolina to decide the title and four of those players will return this year, including the eventual winner Kevin Kisner.
Aussie Adam Scott had a chance to end things at the first hole of sudden death but failed to take advantage with the America securing victory after a birdie at the second play-off hole.
RIGHT: Kevin Kisner emerged victorious in dramatic fashion here last year. PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.
Kisner’s 15-under total in regulation was the highest winning score at Sedgefield since 2013 when Patrick Reed finished one stroke worse to par. The play-off six was just the third time sudden death was contended by such a number in PGA Tour history.
COURSE: For the second straight week, the PGA Tour heads to a Donald Ross designed course, Sedgefield Country Club a long-time staple on the PGA Tour schedule.
Host of this event 26 times between 1938 and 1976, the course underwent a renovation to closer match the original intentions of Ross in 2007, with the Tour returning the following year and setting up a permanent home for the Wyndham Championship.
Featuring small, undulating greens and elevation changes, the par 70 opened for play in 1926 and will measure 7,131 yards this week.
PRIZEMONEY: US$7,300,000
RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The defending champion, Kevin Kisner, has been something of a rocks or diamonds prospect this year but has to be respected when coming back to the site of his 2021 win.
Missing five straight cuts following The Masters, Kisner returned to form with a top-10 at the Travelers, then shared 21st at St Andrews before another weekend off last week in Detroit.
Adam Scott is probably still a little sour that he doesn’t have this trophy in his cabinet at home in Switzerland after last year, but the Queenslander will get a good chance to atone for that this week.
Scott clearly plays Sedgefield well, and it will just be a case of eliminating the one bad score from his four rounds of tournament play that will be the decider for the former World No.1.
In the mix at The Open until a slip up mid way through his final round, Scott again showed positive signs last week in Detroit before a Saturday 78 derailed his chances.
In good news for his many fans, and the 2013 Masters winner himself, Scott bounced back with a Sunday 65.
Another Queensland major winner appears committed to getting his game back, and this week presents a good chance.
Jason Day slid outside the top-150 of the world rankings earlier this year but appears on his way back after a T17 last week.
Day’s sky high ball flight suits here, and good putters tend to do well around Sedgefield and at Donald Ross designed courses in general.
Named as a Presidents Cup assistant captain this week, Webb Simpson is far from a spent force as a player and he loves this place.
A local Carolinian, Simpson won this event 2011 and has finished seventh or better in the last five editions of the Wyndham Championship. And his new role might provide the American with some added confidence as he chases a first top-10 for the year.
72-HOLE RECORD: 258 (J.T. Poston, 2019 & Henrik Stenson, 2017)
18-HOLE RECORD: 29 (Brandt Snedeker, 2018)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Steve Elkington (1990)
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Brett Drewitt, Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy, Jason Day and Adam Scott.
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 4am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 4am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides
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