Morikawa Among Group To Gain Invite to Tournament of Champions
The PGA Tour’s traditional year opener will include the whole Tour Championship field from 2023


Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott and Cameron Young are among the group of players to benefit after a change in qualification criteria expanded the field for next year’s Sentry Tournament of Champions.
The traditional PGA Tour year opener in Hawaii has been restricted to players who won an event the previous calendar year, but will now also include those who made it to this week’s Tour Championship, which starts on Thursday at East Lake, Atlanta. Along with Scott, Morikawa and Young, Corey Conners, Aaron Wise, Brian Harman, Sahith Theegala and Scott Stallings can start making plans for a trip to Kapalua, Maui whether they win an event or not because they are in the Tour Championship field.
The Sentry Tournament of Champions, which tees off on January 5th in 2023, has been the first event of the new year since 1999, but until now has only included winners of PGA Tour events from the previous year. The 2021 event extended an invite to Tour Championship qualifiers because so many of the previous year’s events had been lost to the Covid pandemic, and, in announcing a 10-year extension to its sponsorship of the event through 2035, Sentry confirmed that will be the case going forward.
Cameron Smith won the TOC at the start of this year, setting a new record for the lowest score in PGA Tour history at 34-under-par. Three players finished at 30-under or better, as many as had previously posted that score in the whole history of the Tour. Smith banked just under $1.5million for his victory, but next year’s event will be even more lucrative, with the prize money almost doubling to $15million.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Jeff graduated from Leeds University in Business Studies and Media in 1996 and did a post grad in journalism at Sheffield College in 1997. His first jobs were on Slam Dunk (basketball) and Football Monthly magazines, and he's worked for the Sunday Times, Press Association and ESPN. He has faced golfing greats Sam Torrance and Sergio Garcia, but on the poker felt rather than the golf course. Jeff's favourite course played is Sandy Lane in Barbados, which went far better than when he played Matfen Hall in Northumberland, where he crashed the buggy on the way to the 1st tee!
-
Valspar Championship Picks, Predictions And Odds
The final event of the Florida Swing comes from the Valspar Championship, where nearly half of the world's top 50 are set to tee it up on the Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Porsche Singapore Classic 2025 Picks, Predictions And Odds
The DP World Tour returns in Asia this week at the Porsche Singapore Classic, and we've picked our favorites to contend as well as an outside shout for the title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'To The Brandel Chamblees, To The Paul McGinleys To The Rocco Mediates Of The World, I Don't Regret Anything I Said' - Collin Morikawa Issues Emotional Reply To Critics
The two-time Major winner told his critics that he doesn't regret his words after saying he doesn't owe anyone anything following his decision to not speak to the press on Sunday at Bay Hill
By Elliott Heath Published
-
LIV Golfers Back Decision To Split Australian Open
Cameron Smith has welcomed the decision to hold the men's and women's Australian Opens separately - saying it will help to strengthen both tournaments
By Paul Higham Published
-
Adam Scott Explains How President Trump Can Speed Up PGA Tour-PIF Deal
Adam Scott says Donald Trump's intervention can be a big positive for the PGA Tour-PIF deal - especially regarding the ongoing Department Of Justice investigation
By Paul Higham Published
-
Smith Blames Protege Smylie As 'Common Denominator' In Latest Slow Play Warning
Cameron Smith saw his second round crumble at the Australian Open after being put on the clock - which he appeared to partially blame on his young protege Elvis Smylie
By Paul Higham Published
-
'That's A Bull**** Excuse' - Cameron Smith Sounds Off Over 'Disappointing' Course Conditions At Australian Open
The LIV player aired his frustration over soft and slow conditions at both Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club and refused to accept recent heavy rain was primarily responsible
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
BMW Australian PGA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Cameron Smith is one of a host of big names competing at Royal Queensland Golf Club as the new DP World Tour season gets underway
By Mike Hall Published
-
The World Series Starts On Friday - And Two PGA Tour Golfers Will Be Locked In
Max Homa and Collin Morikawa - both born in the Los Angeles area - will be watching their precious Dodgers in the World Series clash against the New York Yankees
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The Best Decision Of My Life' - Cameron Smith Insists He Has No Regrets Over Leaving The PGA Tour
The Australian left the PGA Tour shortly after lifting the Claret Jug at St Andrews - and he has no regrets
By Michael Weston Published