JACKSON, Miss. – There’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding the PGA Tour’s fall series schedule beginning next season. Yet for Steve Jent, the Sanderson Farms Championship executive director, he’s comfortable with his tournament’s position.
Although the Tour’s best players have agreed to play against one another in at least 20 events between January and August starting in 2024, the Tour’s nine official fall events are about to receive a demotion, beginning in 2023.
The top 70 in the FedEx Cup regular season points race will qualify for the playoffs and retain their cards for the next season. Nos. 71-125? They will battle during the fall to retain playing privileges in what will essentially become eligibility events. Without FedEx Cup points at stake or any punishment for not playing during the fall, the top players have been given the option of an extended vacation from September through December.
That means the fields in the fall likely won’t have as many top stars. It could be something that pushes title sponsors away. The interest in the events may not be as high for the fans, yet for the players, they’ll be some of the most important events of the year.
There has even been some concerns from players about the events and what the future will look like. But Jent is enthusiastic about the future.
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“We like being in the fall,” Jent said. “I mean, obviously, we’re always gonna go up against football in the fall, but the fall is the perfect time of year for this golf course with the weather, this community.”
This year’s field is the strongest the Sanderson Farms Championship has ever had, Jent said. Sam Burns, the defending champion, has headlined the field, but former major winner Gary Woodland and 2021 United States Ryder Cup member Harris English were also in town. Scottie Scheffler was in the field last year, too.
“I have 144 of the best players in the world here this week. Right? And the best golf in the world is taking place in Jackson, Mississippi,” Jent said. “So we’re just going to focus on that. Be proud of that. Every year, our field has gotten better. It’s just it’s a great time of year for us and our community.
“I honestly think the fall is gonna keep getting better. I mean, we’ve all done a great job in the fall of making the events awesome.”
Jent said the Sanderson Farms Championship will remain popular because a win can do a…
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