2023 Barbasol Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis

As the world’s elite golfers gather in Scotland, there is a chance for an unsung PGA Tour player to make a name for himself by winning the Barbasol Championship and securing a place in the field for The Open Championship.

Last year that man was Trey Mullinax, who holed a dramatic 15-foot birdie putt on the final green to claim the title and secure his maiden PGA Tour, denying Kevin Streelman in the process.

After a rain delay, Mullinax had to play 33 holes on the final day, competing a five-under 67 in the delayed third round and following it with a 66 to finish at 25-under 263.

“I stayed focused for 72 holes,” Mullinax said. “I missed a couple of opportunities with the putter and just told myself to keep putting, been putting great. Been hitting my irons beautifully all week, probably the strongest part of my game. I knew I was going to have that shot a couple of times, and I hit a great shot at the right time.”

Streelman's hopes of forcing a playoff ended when he missed a nine-footer on the 72nd green. 

“I’m frustrated I hit two incredible shots there the last two holes and hit two good putts,” Streelman said. “One of them went, one of them didn’t.”

Mullinax earned the last spot in The Open Championship at St Andrews, along with a place in the 2023 Players Championship, US PGA Championship and Tournament of Champions.

It marked the Barbasol Championship's sixth consecutive close finish determined by one shot or in a playoff. Mullinax earned his title in his 105th PGA Tour start, overcoming bogeys on the par-5 sixth and par-3 ninth holes to finish with three birdies on the backside and eight overall.

Mark Hubbard was third at 22 under after a 65. Hurly Long (71) was 21 under.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

The tournament is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and offers a number of European golfers a rare opportunity to secure a PGA Tour card if they can win. Among those in action are Andy Sullivan, Alex Knappe, Jeremy Frieburghaus and James Morrison, who will be joined by Jazz Janewattananond, John Catlin and Johannes Veerman.

Catlin enjoyed a purple patch in 2020-21, winning three times on the DP World Tour but he has struggled since and could really do with a big week on home soil.

Janewattananond is a fascinating character. The 27-year-old Thai golfer was tipped by many to become a superstar. At the age of 14 years and 71 days old he became the youngest golfer to make the cut on the Asian Tour in the 2010 Asian Tour International.

And he had a two-week stint as a monk in his native Thailand at the end of the 2016 golf season, and credited that time spent inside the temple for his maiden Asian Tour win at the 2017 Bangladesh Open.

He chipped-in for eagle at the final hole of Qualifying School Final Stage to earn a DP World Tour card on the number after he finished in tied 25th place in 2017.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by Scott Piercy, in 2016 by Aaron Baddeley, in 2017 by Grayson Murray, in 2018 by Troy Merritt, in 2019 by Jim Herman, in 2021 by Seamus Power and last year by Trey Mullinax.

The Course

The Champions course at Keene Trace Golf Club was designed by Arthur Hills. It is a par 72 that measures 7,171 yards. The fairways are generous - this is a course that is set up for low scoring, so expect to see a bucketload of birdies.

Form Guide

The tournament does not boast the strongest field but Cameron Champ will be looking for a morale-boosting performance as he tries to reverse his tumble down the rankings.

To Win:

Cameron Champ. Hits the ball a mile

Each Way:

Erik van Rooyen. Beautiful golf swing

Each Way:

Grayson Murray. Has shown some excellent form

Five to Follow:

Cameron Champ. Wondrous ball striker

Erik van Rooyen. Fabulous short game

Grayson Murray. Can go low

Scott Piercy. Consistent performer

Patton Kizzire. Has struggled of late but knows how to get the job done