Charles Schwab Challenge Preview
After the drama of the PGA Championship in Tulsa, the PGA Tour returns to Texas for the Charles Schwab Challenge.
We can expect a weaker field considering this event follows a major championship – and the Memorial Tournament will be up next.
The Previous Edition
Jason Kokrak was crowned champion of this event last year, as Jordan Spieth capitulated around him.
Spieth had led going into the final round, but a three-over finale enabled Kokrak to secure a two-stroke lead.
The 37-year-old only needed an even-par final round to secure an unlikely victory, but Spieth had only himself to blame for a poor final showing.
Ian Poulter was four shots back and in a tie for third, whilst Lucas Glover and Brian Harman snuck into the top 10 that included 14 players.
Course
Colonial Country Club is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and this will be the 77th time the venue has been utilised for a PGA Tour event.
This competition is the longest non-major tournament to be hosted at the same golf club, with Augusta National Golf Club taking the overall title.
Remarkably, this course was designed by Perry Maxwell and John Bredemus – with the latter being responsible for the look of Southern Hills Country Club.
Measuring 7,209 yards, length won’t be an issue or an advantage this week, so the players will rely exclusively on accuracy – meaning we can see scores go low.
Host of the 1941 U.S. Open, Colonial Country Club certainly knows how to produce the entertainment that both the PGA Tour and fans demand – it’s set to be a fantastic week in Texas.
Field
As expected, the field will be significantly weaker this week, but that’s not always a major negative.
Scottie Scheffler headlines the field and he’ll be desperate to put last week’s disappointment behind him.
Southern Hills is one of Scheffler’s favourite layouts, so it would have undoubtedly frustrated him following his sub-par performance.
Collin Morikawa also tees it up and he’ll be looking for a win after being relatively quiet by his standards.
Morikawa looked set to be a strong presence following some famous victories, but he’s yet to win this year on tour and was underwhelming at the PGA Championship.
Jason Kokrak is also in the field – as expected – and he’ll be looking to defend a PGA Tour title for the first time in his career.
He has three PGA Tour titles to his name now and won twice last season, which is very impressive considering the talent that surrounds him.
Finally, Jordan Spieth is the final standout star who will be involved this coming week – and he has a great record around Colonial.
Spieth has three runner-up finishes and a victory since 2016, so it’s safe to say this is a golf course he enjoys.
Will a renowned name battle his way to PGA Tour glory this week or is it time for a new name to announce themselves?