Charles Schwab Challenge Set for Star-Studded Field

Jay Betsill | June 5, 2020 | Golf, News | No Comments

MAR 27, 2019: Rory McIlroy during the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play on March 27, 2019 at Austin Country Club in Austin, TX. (Photo by George Walker/DFWsportsonline)

The greatest field in the illustrious history of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club is now official.

The PGA Tour’s return to action for the first time since suspending play due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12th following the first round of The Players Championship will feature the top five players in the world and 18 of the top 25.

According to Golf Channel, the Colonial field “will be the strongest this season according to the world ranking – stronger than the World Golf Championships in China and Mexico, stronger than Tiger Woods’ own event in Los Angeles and stronger than the Arnold Palmer Invitational.”

Alas, Tiger Woods will not be teeing it up next week in Fort Worth. There had been chatter that the 15-time major champion would make his first return to Colonial since a tie for 4th in his only appearance in 1997, but the deadline came and went with nary a word from the No. 11 player in the world.

Meanwhile, world No.1 Rory McIlory will be making his Colonial debut. The last to win in their first time playing at Hogan’s Alley was Sergio Garcia in 2001. Garcia joined the field on Friday afternoon.

In addition to McIlryoy, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Marc Lesihman, Matt Kucahr, Gary Woodland, Louis Oosthuizen, Shane Lowry, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth will all be competing at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Colonial will be the first PGA Tour event in a string of 26 consecutive weeks that includes three majors.

The event will be played with no fans, but will be broadcast on PGA TOUR Live, Golf Channel (Thursday and Friday) and CBS (Saturday and Sunday).