DES MOINES — The Principal Charity Classic tees off Friday as some of golf’s best on the PGA Tour Champions converge for three days of competition.
This year’s field includes nine former champions at the Wakonda Club, including defending champion Jerry Kelly and three-time winner Jay Haas. Five World Golf Hall of Famers and several fan favorites also highlight the tee sheet.
From Fred Couples to Steve Sticker, here are some of the golfers to keep an eye on at the 2023 Principal Charity Classic.
Stephen Ames
Ames won this event in 2021 and finished in a four-way tie for 12th in 2022. He is currently fourth on the PGA Tour Champions standings, but the third-highest-ranked player heading into the tournament, with Steve Alker not competing in Des Moines.
Notah Begay III
This is Begay’s first appearance in the Principal Charity Classic. One of the only Native American golfers to have played in the PGA Tour, the 50-year-old professional returned to playing with the Champions circuit. He is a top-100 player in the Schwab Cup rankings.
Fred Couples
A World Golf Hall of Famer and former World No. 1 will make another appearance in Des Moines. A fixture in pro golf for over four decades, Couples has finished in the top-10 twice this season — eighth in the Chubb Classic and 10th in the Galleri Classic.
Fred Couples reacts after making a birdie putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 2022 Principal Charity Classic at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Ernie Els
Another World Golf Hall of Famer and former World No. 1 with four major championships and more than 70 career victories under his belt. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down, as Els is sixth in the Schwab Cup rankings.
Judd Gibb
Iowa golf fans, this is the player to root for this weekend. The Fort Dodge native was a four-year letter winner at Iowa State and a five-time Iowa PGA Player of the Year.
Miguel Angel Jimenez
Ever the fan favorite, Jimenez returns to Des Moines as the fifth-best player in the PGA Tour Champions leaderboard. He finished in the top-35 in last year’s event.
Jerry Kelly
Kelly returns to the Wakonda Club as the reigning Principal Charity Classic champion. He beat Kirk Triplett in a playoff last season. He is currently 12th on the PGA Tour Champions leaderboard.
Jerry Kelly celebrates on the 18th green after winning the 2022 Principal Charity Classic at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty…
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