Team Europe didn’t have to sweat out the final day of the Ryder Cup. During an event that featured parking lot arguments and some heated words between American teammates over Netflix, there was plenty of drama for those interested in it last week. Team Europe beat the Americans 16.5-11.5 to win the Ryder Cup for the fifth time in the past seven competitions.
Now that the Ryder Cup is over, the PGA Tour will turn its eyes back to the Sanderson Farms Championship. The Sanderson Farms Championship is held in Jackson, Miss., at the Country Club of Jackson. Here’s a look at what one of the PGA Tour’s “alternate events” will bring to the table this weekend.
An alternate event provides younger players with a chance to build some momentum and exposure. This opportunity is one many players don’t want to pass up because it is a chance to perform on a stage without the pressure of competing against any of the golfers in the top 25.
Golfing For Charity
The Sanderson Farms Championship is hosted by the Century Club Charities. The nonprofit’s mission aims to promote golf for the benefit of charity. The primary charity that benefits from this event is Friends of Children’s Hospital, which benefits the Batson Children’s Hospital.
Aberg Looks to Continue Strong Rookie Season
Ludvig Aberg became the first player to earn PGA Tour status through PGA Tour University. PGA Tour University helps bridge the gap between playing in college and professionally. Aberg, a 23-year-old Swede, has learned plenty in the organization’s classroom.
Since making his debut at the RBC Canadian Open in June 2023, Aberg has impressed everyone with how quickly he’s risen up the rankings. Aberg won his first professional tournament on Sept. 3 at the Omega European Masters by two strokes. During his amateur career, Aberg flashed plenty of potential.
Aberg won two events on the Swedish Golf Tour in 2020. But Aberg’s performance as a rookie has been impressive. He has made the cuts in six of his seven PGA Tour events since starting in June. He finished fourth at the John Deere Classic and earned a spot on the Ryder Cup team.
Thanks to all of his accomplishments, Aberg has earned a ranking of No. 80. But he has plenty more to play for. Aberg is ranked 136 in the FedEx Cup standings. If he can reach the top 125, that would improve his status for next season. He has already qualified for the tour again next season.
Hughes Ready to Defend Title
Canadian Mackenzie Hughes shot a 17-under par and won the Sanderson Farms Championship in a playoff over Sepp Straka. There hasn’t been a repeat winner at the tournament since Dwight Nevil won in 1973 and 1974. Hughes is ranked No. 51 in the FedEx Cup standings.
He would like to hang onto that status, as players ranked between no. 51 and 60 will be invited to the AT&T Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational.
Field Has Five Players from Last Year’s Top 50
While the Sanderson Farms Championships won’t feature a full field of top players, several of the top 50 ranked players will be on hand to compete at the event. Eric Cole, Lee Hodges, Tom Hoge, Adam Svensson, and Emiliano Grillo will all compete at the event and ranked in the top 50 of this year’s FedEx Cup.
Grillo finished in fifth place at the event last season. Anyone who finishes in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup will qualify for 2024’s Signature Events.
Murray Hopes to Protect Spot
Grayson Murray has clinched his 2024 PGA Tour Card by qualifying on the Korn Ferry Tour. Murray, 30, has long been a journeyman of the sport. Even in college, Murray took a while to find his home. Murray played golf at Wake Forest, East Carolina, and Arizona State.
Since turning professional in 2015, Murray has struggled to stay on the PGA Tour. He has six professional rankings and rose as high as No. 85 in 2017. In 2017, Murray won his lone PGA Tour championship by capturing the Barbasol Championship by one stroke over Chad Collins.
Murray finished in 63rd at the U.S. Open in 2022. He hopes performing well at the Sanderson Farms Classic can add another spark.
Biondi Ready to Test the Waters
Fred Biondi earned a sponsor’s exemption to this year’s event. The 2023 NCAA champion from Florida will be eager to take a look at what a possible professional career will look like. Biondi played nine events on the Korn Ferry Tour this summer. Biondi’s best finish was a 31st-place finish at the BMW Charity Pro-Am.
Biondi also played at the Fortinet Championship on the PGA Tour but missed the cup. Biondi made the cut in two of the Korn Ferry tour events he played in.
Clegg Ready for Debut in His Backyard
Mississippi State product Ford Clegg will be playing on the PGA Tour for the first time. Clegg had a historic career while playing for the Bulldogs. He became the school’s all-time leader in career rounds of shooting at par or below, with 80. Clegg excelled in the classroom by being named the 2023 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Steelman Looks to Reverse Trend
Ross Steelman hopes to find a path from PGA University to the big show. Steelman will need to find a way to be consistent in pro events. Steelman, who played at the University of Missouri, will be making his third start in a PGA Tour event since turning professional. He missed the cut at the Rocket Mortgage and John Deere Classics.
Steelman is ranked fourth at PGA Tour University and has played at eight events on the Korn Ferry Tour this summer. Steelman has cut into four of his eight appearances on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has made $24,121 in prize money.