Sanderson Farms Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis

SEBASTIAN MUNOZ defends his title at the Sanderson Farms Championship, a tournament he won by holing a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole before defeating Sungjae Im in a playoff.

Munoz finished the week with a 70 to make it back-to-back wins for South American golfers, after Joaquin Niemann’s victory at The Greenbrier. Munoz, from Columbia, secured a $1.188m pay day and an invitation to The Masters.

This is an event that has produced many first-time winners, including Cameron Champ (2018), Ryan Armour (2017), Cody Gribble (2016), Peter Malnati (2015), Nick Taylor (2014), Chris Kirk (2011), D.J. Trahan (2006), Luke Donald (2002), Cameron Beckman (2001), Willie Wood (1996), Ed Dougherty (1995), and Brian Henninger (1994).

“I’d like to thank the Sanderson family, and everyone who made this event possible,” said Munoz. “I’m so thrilled to be returning as champion. I will always have a special connection to Jackson, Mississippi because it was the first event I ever played as a PGA Tour member back in 2016. Jackson is one of those places I will cherish, and I will always be grateful to this city.”

Munoz will have his work cut out if he is win again, with Scottie Scheffler looking to continue his wonderful recent form with a victory. He had a sensational 2019-20 season, one that included a round of 59 and just about everything other than a trip to the winner’s circle. He won’t have to wait much longer.

And veterans Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson are also in the field, looking to find a bit of form as they slide down the world rankings. Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, is still looking for his first victory on American soil. It is hard to believe that such a wonderfully consistent player has yet to record a win on the PGA Tour. Could this be the week when all of that changes?

Last year marked the 52nd playing of Mississippi’s largest professional sporting event. For the sixth consecutive year, The Country Club of Jackson hosted the event.

“It was a great week  in Jackson for the tournament. We have enjoyed an incredible week of championship golf and are very excited to have Sebastian represent our tournament as the champion,” said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chief executive and chairman of Sanderson Farms. “The condition of the course was excellent, as good as we have ever had, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the field we had.”

This tournament raises huge amounts of money for charity and last year received the “Best Charity Integration” award by the PGA Tour. The award recognises the PGA Tour tournament that incorporates the tournament’s charity and theme into all facets of the event. The main benefactor is Friends of Children’s Hospital  and the patients at Batson Children’s Hospital, part of Children’s of Mississippi. The tournament also donates a portion of the proceeds to numerous additional charities arounds the state. In addition to world-class golf, the tournament staff executed a number of events throughout the week, including two Pro-Ams, a popular Women’s Day Luncheon, All-Star and Youth Clinics, a Military Outpost, Kids’ Zone, and other events and activities throughout the week.

This year’s event will be very different. Century Club Charities, the tournament’s host organisation, will continue to work with the PGA TOUR and local and state government agencies to ensure the health and safety of the volunteers, players, caddies, and essential personnel allowed onsite to operate the tournament.

“As we have said from the start, our top priority remains the health and safety of everyone in the communities where we are invited guests each week,” said PGA Tour Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer Andy Pazder. “We appreciate the cooperation of the Sanderson Farms Corporate staff, the Sanderson Farms Championship staff, the Century Club Charities organization, The Country Club of Jackson, and – of course – the fans of central Mississippi for understanding why collectively we had to make this decision. We remain very excited to present the Sanderson Farms Championship to a global audience.

“While everyone involved is disappointed this is the direction we have to go, our team is still upbeat about the opportunity to host an outstanding tournament for the world’s best golf professionals, while showcasing the Sanderson Farms Championship and the beautiful course at The Country Club of Jackson to the rest of the world through the Golf Channel broadcast,” said Sanderson Farms Championship Executive Director Steve Jent. “This decision to play without spectators is the right call, given the circumstances, for the protection of everyone involved. I am extremely proud of our tournament staff and volunteers, and appreciate the way Sanderson Farms, the PGA Tour, The Country Club of Jackson, the City of Jackson, and the State of Mississippi have worked with us during these unprecedented times.”

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To Win:

Scottie Scheffler. Going from strength to strength

Each Way:

Sergio Garcia. Needs to arrest rankings slump

Each Way:

Louis Oosthuizen. Hard to believe he has not won on the PGA Tour

Fantasy Picks:

Scottie Scheffler. This young man is the real deal

Sergio Garcia. Still looking to find his best

Louis Oosthuizen. Is there a better swing anywhere?

Ben An. Has shown some recent signs that his best is not far away

Rafa Cabrera Bello. Played some glorious golf at Winged Foot

Branden Grace. If he can hole some putts he can win

Charl Schwartzel. Still feeling his way back after injury

Richy Werenski. Already a winner

Henrik Stenson. Still a brilliant ball striker

Stewart Cink. Can he win again?