PGA Tour "Tournament Reduction"... "What About the January Grand Championship Next Year?"

Justin Thomas cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Sentry Tournament. Kapalua, Hawaii, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "What about the King of Kings Tournament?"

Every January, the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions (total prize money $6.7 million) opens the new year. It is a 'King of Kings Tournament' where only the previous year's tour winners participate. Usually, about 35 players compete, and even the last place receives $60,000 (74 million KRW) without a cut-off. This year, 34 players fiercely competed at the Plantation Course of Kapalua Resort on Maui Island, Hawaii (par 73, 7,518 yards) in January, with Justin Thomas (USA) taking the top spot.

Next year, the number of players will decrease further. This is due to the reduction of tournaments caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The PGA Tour was completely suspended right after the first round of The Players Championship, known as the 'fifth major,' in March, and will resume the 2020 season starting with the Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11. This is why the Sentry Tournament organizers are already considering 'expanding the entry.' There is a high probability that 'players who participated in the previous year's Playoffs (PO) final event, the Tour Championship,' will be added.

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