Korn Ferry Tour Championship Preview: Field, betting odds, tee times and how to watch
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The race to qualify for the PGA Tour comes to an end this week as the Korn Ferry Tour Championship takes place in Indiana.
With 156 players starting off at the first of the four-event Korn Ferry Tour Finals in August, the field has now been whittled down to the top 75 heading into the final tournament this week.
Matt McCarty has been the standout player on the tour in 2024. Ahead of the Tour Championship, he has already clinched the number one spot after finishing tied for fifth at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, thus securing spots at the US Open and the Players Championship in 2025.
“It means a lot,” McCarty said after the event. “I played great the last couple months, but the whole year as well. There’s a good list of names that have done it in the past, so it’s pretty special to join a lot of those guys for sure.”
With 600 points on offer to the winner this week, McCarty’s 651-point lead therefore cannot be surpassed.
While the top spot has been finalised, there is still a lot to play for, with another 29 PGA Tour cards on offer for those who secure a place in the top 30 at the Tour Championship.
Harry Higgs, who finished tied for 4th at the 2021 PGA Championship, is in fine position to secure a tour card, while Sam Bennett currently occupies 30th position heading into the event.
At the 2023 Masters, Bennet became the first amateur to shoot two rounds in the 60s at Augusta National since Charles Coe in 1961. He went on to finish the tournament with a score of +2, which enabled him to finish tied for 16th.
Where is the Korn Ferry Tour Championship played?
The event has been played across a wide range of courses since its inception in 1993, including TPC Sawgrass and TPC Craig Rance. From 2019 until 2023, Victoria National Golf Club hosted the event, but there is a new venue this year.
The Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort will hold the Korn Ferry Tour Championship from 2024-2028. The renewed architect designed the course, which opened in June 2009.
It does have major pedigree, having held the 2015 Senior PGA Championship and will pose a touch challenge for the field this week.
Who is in the field for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship?
Denny McCarthy, who won this title in 2018, sits in 68th position and will be hoping a solid four days can see him return to the PGA Tour.
Daniel Summerhays is also in the mix for a return to the PGA Tour. The American finished third at the 2016 PGA Championship, which secured him an invite to the 2017 Masters. In 2020, Summerhays announced that he was ending his professional golf career to take up a golf coaching position. Just four years later, the 40-year-old is aiming for another crack against the elite.
With only the top 75 qualifying for the Tour Championship, several former PGA Tour winners have failed to make it, such as Russell Knox, Bill Haas and Kevin Chappell.
What is the format of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship?
The format of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes, although there won’t be a cut after 36 holes this week. The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.
Who will win the Korn Ferry Tour Championship?
Selected odds correct as of 9am on Monday 30th September 2024.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Frankie Capan III | 16/1 |
| William Mouw | 18/1 |
| Max McGreevy | 20/1 |
| Ryan Gerard | 20/1 |
| Thomas Rosenmuller | 22/1 |
| Brian Campbell | 22/1 |
| Alistair Docherty | 28/1 |
| Tim Widing | 28/1 |
| Steven Fisk | 28/1 |
| Taylor Dickson | 28/1 |
| Kevin Roy | 28/1 |
| Danny Walker | 28/1 |
| Ricky Castillo | 30/1 |
| Zach Bauchou | 33/1 |
| Cristobal Del Solar | 33/1 |
| Isaiah Salinda | 35/1 |
| Brandon Crick | 35/1 |
| Quade Cummins | 35/1 |
| Sam Bennett | 35/1 |
| Harry Higgs | 35/1 |
| Karl Vilips | 35/1 |
| John Pak | 40/1 |
| Daniel Summerhays | 40/1 |
| Trevor Cone | 40/1 |
| Rick Lamb | 40/1 |
| Seung Yul Noh | 40/1 |
| Jackson Suber | 40/1 |
| Doc Redman | 40/1 |
| Davis Chatfield | 40/1 |
| Noah Goodwin | 45/1 |
| Paul Peterson | 50/1 |
| Pontus Nyholm | 50/1 |
| Kyle Westmoreland | 50/1 |
| Carter Jenkins | 55/1 |
| Kristoffer Ventura | 60/1 |
| Braden Thornberry | 60/1 |
| Roberto Diaz | 60/1 |
| Dan McCarthy | 60/1 |
How much will the winner of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship receive?
There is a total prize purse of $1.5m on offer at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship this week, with the winner taking home a cheque for $270k.
More important than the money this week, however, is that the players who finish in the top 30 will all receive a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, offering the chance to play against the best in the world.
Who has won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship?
| Year | Winner | Runner(s) up |
| 2023 | Paul Barjon | Fabian Gomez |
| 2022 | Justin Suh | Austin Eckroat |
| 2021 | Joseph Bramlett | Trey Mullinax |
| 2020 | Brandon Wu | Greyson Sigg |
| 2019 | Tom Lewis | Fabian Gomez |
| 2018 | Denny McCarthy | Lucas Glover |
| 2017 | Jonathan Byrd | Sam Saunders and Shawn Stefani |
| 2015 | Emilano Grillo | Chez Reavie |
| 2014 | Derek Fathauer | Zac Blair |
| 2013 | Chesson Hadley | Brad Fritsch, Scott Gardiner, John Peterson and Brendon Todd |
The 2016 tournament was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew.
How to watch the Korn Ferry Tour Championship
All four days of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship will be broadcast on the Golf Channel. All times EDT
Thursday, 3 October: Golf Channel, 13.00
Friday, 4 October: Golf Channel, 12.00
Saturday, 5 October: Golf Channel, 12.00
Sunday, 6 October: Golf Channel, 12.30
Korn Ferry Tour Championship: Tee times and groupings
Tee times and groupings for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship will appear here when announced.
About the Author
Ross Kilvington – Contributing Golf News Writer
Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who currently writes previews for Today’s Golfer, covering events on the DP World, PGA, and LPGA tours along with the LIV Golf Series.
Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of 6 means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little longer.
Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights are few and far between on the golf course.
An Eagle on the par-4 16th at Kinghorn is one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards).
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Korn Ferry player Emilio Gonzalez hits a tee shot during the final round of the Simmons Bank Open
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Harry Higgs hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Korn Ferry Tour Compliance Solutions Championship
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Paul Barjon of France tees off at the first tee during the first round of the Korn Ferry Tour - Magnit Championship
