The First Look: Barracuda Championship
The Barracuda Championship in Truckee, California, is unique on the PGA TOUR as the only event using the Modified Stableford scoring system. It offers one of the last opportunities for players to earn FedExCup points before the Playoffs.
Following this week’s Barracuda Championship and The Open Championship, only the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship remain before the FedEx St. Jude Championship Playoffs.
While not co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, the Barracuda Championship allocates 50 spots to DP World Tour players.
Understanding the Modified Stableford Format
Here's a breakdown of how the Modified Stableford format works and everything you need to know as the TOUR returns to Lake Tahoe.
Field Highlights
Emerging talents and recent PGA TOUR winners, such as Nick Dunlap and Chris Gotterup, are eyeing strong performances as the FedExCup Playoffs approach. Presidents Cup hopefuls include Taylor Pendrith and Adam Svensson from Canada, K.H. Lee from South Korea, and International Team assistant captain Camilo Villegas. Dylan Frittelli is the top-ranked DP World Tour player in the field. Past champions like Chez Reavie, Andrew Putnam, and Richy Werenski will also compete. Players like Matthew NeSmith, Rico Hoey, and Zac Blair, who narrowly missed out in a recent playoff, return to action at the Barracuda Championship.
Sponsor Exemptions
- Ian Gilligan: Now 15th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Gilligan was previously a guest of the championship while battling cancer. He recently played the Shriners Children’s Open and won the Southern Highlands Collegiate.
- Barclay Brown: Making his non-major PGA TOUR debut after notable performances at The Open in 2022 and the U.S. Open last year.
- Mats Ege: Ranked 11th on the PGA TOUR University for 2023-24, Ege will make his TOUR debut.
- Patrick Newcomb: Making his first TOUR event appearance since 2015, having made two Korn Ferry Tour cuts this season.
- Mitchell Schow: Won the Reno Open in April, earning a spot in his first PGA TOUR event.
- Neal Shipley: The Low Amateur at both the Masters and the U.S. Open, Shipley has played three TOUR events since turning pro and finished tied for sixth at last week’s ISCO Championship.
- Ryan Palmer and Scott Piercy: Rounding out the sponsor invites.
Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10
- Sungjae Im: Moved into the TOUR TOP 10 after a T4 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, with six top-10 finishes this season.
- Scottie Scheffler: Remains at No. 1 in the standings.
- Sahith Theegala: Now No. 7 after a T4 at the Scottish Open, with Hideki Matsuyama at No. 8.
- Byeong Hun An: Not in the TOUR TOP 10 for the first time this season.
FedExCup Points
The winner receives 300 FedExCup points.
Course Details
Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood): Par 71, 7,480 yards. The tournament team has reversed the nines, adding drama with two par 5s and a drivable par 4 on the back nine. This setup provides more scoring opportunities with eagles. This is the fifth year Old Greenwood hosts the Barracuda. The course features rolling hills, numerous bunkers with new sand, and large greens. It is situated roughly 6,000 feet above sea level.
72-Hole Record: +50, Erik Van Rooyen, 2021
18-Hole Record: +22, Kyle Reifers (4th round, 2015), Chad Campbell (3rd round, 2018)
Last Year’s Highlights
Akshay Bhatia birdied the 72nd hole to tie with Patrick Rodgers and then won the playoff with a par. Rodgers missed a potential winning birdie putt on the last regulation hole and hit his approach short from a divot in the playoff. It was Bhatia’s first PGA TOUR title after earning Special Temporary Membership earlier in the season with a runner-up finish at the Puerto Rico Open. Julien Guerrier’s round of +20 tied him for third with Jens Dantorp, three points shy of the playoff.
How to Watch (All times ET)
Television:
Thursday-Sunday, 5-8 p.m. (Golf Channel)