The Charles Schwab Challenge is underway at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The course is hosting 132 entrants. The tournament marks the fourth of five stops in Texas on the PGA TOUR this season.
Griffin Mic’d Up After Charles Schwab Challenge Win
Ben Griffin won the Charles Schwab Challenge. He was also mic’d up during the event.
Colonial’s Anniversary and Course Details
The Charles Schwab Challenge marks the 80th anniversary of the tournament being held at Colonial Country Club. The course tests the players with bentgrass greens averaging only 5,000 square feet. The greens are prepped to roll up to 13 feet as measured by the Stimpmeter.
Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner renovated the course, adding 80 yards to extend it to its historical long of 7,289 yards. Scoring has not been affected by the renovation. The course has landed within a stroke above par since the project was completed.
First-Time Participants and Veteran Players
About a quarter of the field are first-time participants in the tournament. Among them, only four have captured at least one victory on the PGA TOUR. Four-time PGA TOUR winner Ryan Palmer is making his 23rd appearance. This is the most starts in the field this week.
Palmer’s best result is a T3 in 2016. This week’s commitment is his last as a 40-something.
Garcia’s 2001 Victory
The Charles Schwab Challenge reached a 25-year milestone. Sergio Garcia prevailed in 2001 for his first time on the PGA TOUR. It was also his debut tournament. Neither achievement has been repeated since at Colonial.
No other active tournament has gone as long without a breakthrough champion.
Consistency on the PGA Tour
Touring professionals always vocalise the desire for consistency.
Colonial perennially slots among the stingiest in yielding scoring opportunities. That and the ubiquitous breezes typically stand shoulder to shoulder.