JACKSON, Miss. The PGA Tour event held at The Country Club of Jackson, which is home to the 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship, has been tainted by a cloud.
What will happen to the tournaments in the future?
The PGA Tour is in the process of aligning with LIV Golf. This has created uncertainty in the golf world, as those who love the game wait for answers about the future of the sport.
Majors, international cups and other notable tournaments will likely stay. What will become of events like the Sanderson Farms Championship, for example?
Long-term solutions are still unknown. The immediate future should not be too different.
LIV still appears to be working to expand its international presence. The preliminary schedule for 2024, which was obtained two weeks ago by SI.com and is subjected to change, includes six events in the United States, and eight events outside of the country.
There are stops in West Virginia and Oklahoma City, as well as major US cities like Las Vegas, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Mexico, Saudi Arabia and China are among the international stops. Valderrama, England, South Korea, Valderrama, Australia, Singapore and Australia are also included.
Jackson does not seem to fit into the plan for LIV. A team-style event is unlikely for Sanderson Farms Championship going forward.
What will the PGA Tour change if LIV doesn’t make many changes in Jackson? According to the players, they would like it to remain in Jackson.
Henrik Norlander of Sweden sets up a putt at the 18th hole during the first round of The Sanderson Farms Championship held at The Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi on October 5, 2023. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images).
Henrik Norlander, who shot a 7-under-65 in the opening round on Thursday, said that it was difficult to find a golf course in better condition.
Matthew NeSmith, who scored 6 under on the Thursday, said: “The greens were absolutely fantastic as always.” The fairways were in good condition. The golf course looks fantastic.”
It is likely that the FedEx Cup Fall will remain intact, which would be the best news to keep players coming back. The event is no longer a place where players with low rankings can earn points to begin the season. It has become a “all or nothing” option for many players.
Golfers who finish in the top 125 on the FedEx Cup Standings will be eligible for a PGA Tour Card the following year. For golfers who place in the top 125 after the FedEx Cup Playoffs the fall slate offers seven additional opportunities to move the standings. The Fortinet Championship is the first and the RSM Classic is the last.
Peter Malnati, 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship champion, who entered the week ranked No. The standings show that Malnati is ranked 109th.
The more attention the event receives, the higher its stakes. The Sanderson Farms Championship will benefit from less shifting despite a lot of changes.
Malnati stated, “This fall has tremendous significance for me because it is the difference between my being on the verge of losing my job and keeping it. “I believe that this will be a memorable and impactful moment for all of our players,” Malnati said.
