This former PGA Tour venue has a stacked Champions field. Here are 9 players to watch at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The chase for top honors in the 16th playing of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and the accompanying $315,000 cut of the purse begins Friday morning at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott.

Back to defend his championship will be 51-year-old Padraig Harrington, whose Dick’s Open debut brought rounds of 66-67-67 and a three-stroke victory over Mike Weir and Thongchai Jaidee, with Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh another shot back.

One of the most-followed players across decades at En-Joie will not be in the field for the first time since his 2008 Dick’s Open debut.

Joey Sindelar, a long-time resident of nearby Horseheads and now residing in the Town of Lansing and twice a B.C. Open champion, has concluded his competitive playing career due to health reasons. He did, however, play in Dick’s Open Pro-Ams Wednesday and Thursday.

Here is a smattering of players to keep an eye on:

Paul Broadhurst hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the 2020 Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images

• Age: 57.
• Five-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions − two of the majors − with four second- and three third-place finishes.
• Played first Dick’s Open in 2017 and finished T9, hasn’t fallen short of a top-20 in four subsequent appearances.
• Last summer was T15 on rounds of 68-69-71.
• Last time out slipped to a Sunday 74 after a 65-64 getaway and finished T2 in the American Family Insurance Championship.
• Was T5 in the mid-May Regions Tradition.

Darren Clarke poses with the trophy after winning the Senior Open at PGA Centenary Course, Gleneagles. Picture date: Sunday July 24, 2022. (Photo by Steve Welsh/PA Images via Getty Images)

• Age: 54.
• Four-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions was champion of last year’s Senior British Open.
• 2011 British Open champion.
• In 2023, ranks third in total driving, eighth in driving distance (293.2), second in eagles (eight).
• T6 in last year’s Dick’s Open (65-72-69) followed a T8 in 2021.

Ernie Els reacts after making his putt on the first hole during the final round of the 2023 Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in Newport Beach, California. (Photo: Michael Owens/Getty Images)

• Age: 53.
• Three PGA Tour Champions wins, most recent Hoag Classic in March.
• Eight top-10s in 11 events this season, with $925,040 to show for it − fifth on the money…