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Tournament of Champions (golf)

Coordinates: 21°00′22″N 156°38′24″W / 21.006°N 156.64°W / 21.006; -156.64
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(Redirected from Mercedes Championships)
The Sentry
Tournament information
LocationKapalua, Hawaii
Established1953
Course(s)Kapalua Resort
(Plantation Course)
Par73
Length7,596 yards (6,946 m)
Organized byPGA Tour[1]
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$20,000,000
Month playedJanuary
Tournament record score
Aggregate258 Cameron Smith (2022)
To par−34[a] as above
Current champion
United States Chris Kirk
Location map
Kapalua Resort is located in Hawaii
Kapalua Resort
Kapalua Resort
Location in Hawaii

The Sentry is the calendar-year opening tournament of golf's PGA Tour season, played in Hawaii on the island of Maui.[2] The tournament was founded in 1953; for most of its history the field was restricted to golfers who won a tournament on the tour during the previous calendar year, but players who qualified for the preceding Tour Championship are now invited as well.[3][4] From 1986 through 2013, it was the opening event of each tour season; the PGA Tour switched to its wrap-around season (starting season in September and ending in August) in the fall of 2013. In 2022, Cameron Smith shot the lowest 72 hole to-par score in the history of the PGA Tour (−34) to win the tournament.

History

[edit]

The Sentry is held during the first week of January and, since 1999, has been played over the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort near Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Unlike most PGA Tour events, it is a par 73 course.

Previous venues have been the Desert Inn Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, from the event's inception until 1966, and the Stardust Country Club, also in Las Vegas, in 1967 and 1968. For the following thirty years, it was played at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California; it moved from May in 1985 to January in 1986, and relocated to Maui in 1999.

The tournament has had several title sponsors, the first being Mutual of New York (MONY) between 1975 and 1990. After three years of sponsorship by Infiniti, German car maker Mercedes-Benz began a sixteen-year association with the event and the Tournament of Champions name was dropped. In 2010 the tournament entered a new ten-year agreement with Korean broadcasting company Seoul Broadcasting System, with the tournament being renamed as the SBS Championship.[3] Hyundai took over title sponsorship in 2011 with SBS remaining a sponsor.[5] In 2017, SBS became title sponsor again after Hyundai took over title sponsorship of the PGA Tour event at Riviera Country Club.[6] Sentry Insurance signed on as the event's title sponsor with a five-year agreement starting in 2018,[7] later extended through 2030.[8]

From 2012 to 2015, the tournament used a Friday–Monday format, joining the Deutsche Bank Championship as the only two PGA Tour events with this format. The format allowed the tournament to have its own day to finish, and not compete against the second day of the NFL Wild Card Playoff round.

For the 2021 tournament, the PGA Tour announced that the field would be expanded to include the 30 players qualifying for the 2020 Tour Championship in addition to tournament winners during the 2020 calendar year. The change was made following the cancellation of ten tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] The 2022 edition reverted to the usual winners-only field, but the addition of Tour Championship qualifiers was made permanent in 2023.[4] The tournament had a name change for 2024 as a result, dropping the traditional Tournament of Champions name again.

Television

[edit]

While being played at LaCosta, the weekend rounds were traditionally televised by ABC Sports. However, after moving to Hawaii in 1999, the time difference was not conducive to network television. The event moved to ABC's cable partner ESPN for four-round coverage. In 2007, the event moved to four-round coverage on the Golf Channel. In 2012, NBC Sports began showing weekend play, while also producing the new Monday final round for sister network Golf Channel. Starting in 2018, Thursday-Sunday coverage split between Golf Channel and NBC, with the latter picking up weekend coverage when not in conflict with the network's broadcasts of NFL playoff games.[10]

Winners

[edit]
Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Winner's
share ($)
The Sentry
2024 United States Chris Kirk 263 −29 1 stroke United States Sahith Theegala 3,600,000
Sentry Tournament of Champions
2023 Spain Jon Rahm 265 −27 2 strokes United States Collin Morikawa 2,700,000
2022 Australia Cameron Smith 258 −34 1 stroke Spain Jon Rahm 1,476,000
2021 United States Harris English 267 −25 Playoff Chile Joaquín Niemann 1,340,000
2020 United States Justin Thomas (2) 278 −14 Playoff United States Patrick Reed
United States Xander Schauffele
1,340,000
2019 United States Xander Schauffele 269 −23 1 stroke United States Gary Woodland 1,300,000
2018 United States Dustin Johnson (2) 268 −24 8 strokes Spain Jon Rahm 1,260,000
SBS Tournament of Champions
2017 United States Justin Thomas 270 −22 3 strokes Japan Hideki Matsuyama 1,220,000
Hyundai Tournament of Champions
2016 United States Jordan Spieth 262 −30 8 strokes United States Patrick Reed 1,180,000
2015 United States Patrick Reed 271 −21 Playoff United States Jimmy Walker 1,140,000
2014 United States Zach Johnson 273 −19 1 stroke United States Jordan Spieth 1,140,000
2013 United States Dustin Johnson 203[b] −16 4 strokes United States Steve Stricker 1,140,000
2012 United States Steve Stricker 269 −23 3 strokes Scotland Martin Laird 1,120,000
2011 United States Jonathan Byrd 268 −24 Playoff United States Robert Garrigus 1,120,000
SBS Championship
2010 Australia Geoff Ogilvy (2) 270 −22 1 stroke South Africa Rory Sabbatini 1,120,000
Mercedes-Benz Championship
2009 Australia Geoff Ogilvy 268 −24 6 strokes United States Anthony Kim
United States Davis Love III
1,120,000
2008 Sweden Daniel Chopra 274 −18 Playoff United States Steve Stricker 1,100,000
2007 Fiji Vijay Singh 278 −14 2 strokes Australia Adam Scott 1,100,000
Mercedes Championships
2006 Australia Stuart Appleby (3) 284 −8 Playoff Fiji Vijay Singh 1,080,000
2005 Australia Stuart Appleby (2) 271 −21 1 stroke United States Jonathan Kaye 1,060,000
2004 Australia Stuart Appleby 270 −22 1 stroke Fiji Vijay Singh 1,060,000
2003 South Africa Ernie Els 261 −31 8 strokes South Korea K. J. Choi
United States Rocco Mediate
1,000,000
2002 Spain Sergio García 274 −18 Playoff United States David Toms 720,000
2001 United States Jim Furyk 274 −18 1 stroke South Africa Rory Sabbatini 630,000
2000 United States Tiger Woods (2) 276 −16 Playoff South Africa Ernie Els 522,000
1999 United States David Duval 266 −26 9 strokes United States Mark O'Meara
United States Billy Mayfair
468,000
1998 United States Phil Mickelson (2) 271 −17 1 stroke United States Mark O'Meara
United States Tiger Woods
306,000
1997 United States Tiger Woods 202[b] −14 Playoff United States Tom Lehman 216,000
1996 United States Mark O'Meara 271 −17 3 strokes England Nick Faldo
United States Scott Hoch
180,000
1995 Australia Steve Elkington (2) 278 −10 Playoff United States Bruce Lietzke 180,000
1994 United States Phil Mickelson 276 −12 Playoff United States Fred Couples 180,000
Infiniti Tournament of Champions
1993 United States Davis Love III 272 −16 1 stroke United States Tom Kite 144,000
1992 Australia Steve Elkington 279 −9 Playoff United States Brad Faxon 144,000
1991 United States Tom Kite (2) 272 −16 1 stroke United States Lanny Wadkins 144,000
MONY Tournament of Champions
1990 United States Paul Azinger 272 −16 1 stroke Australia Ian Baker-Finch 135,000
1989 United States Steve Jones 279 −9 3 strokes South Africa David Frost
United States Jay Haas
135,000
1988 United States Steve Pate 202[b] −14 1 stroke United States Larry Nelson 90,000
1987 United States Mac O'Grady 278 −10 1 stroke United States Rick Fehr 90,000
1986 United States Calvin Peete 267 −21 6 strokes United States Mark O'Meara 90,000
1985 United States Tom Kite 275 −13 6 strokes United States Mark McCumber 72,000
1984 United States Tom Watson (3) 274 −14 5 strokes United States Bruce Lietzke 72,000
1983 United States Lanny Wadkins (2) 280 −8 1 stroke United States Raymond Floyd 72,000
1982 United States Lanny Wadkins 280 −8 3 strokes United States Andy Bean
Australia David Graham
United States Craig Stadler
United States Ron Streck
63,000
1981 United States Lee Trevino 273 −15 2 strokes United States Raymond Floyd 54,000
1980 United States Tom Watson (2) 276 −12 3 strokes United States Jim Colbert 54,000
1979 United States Tom Watson 275 −13 6 strokes United States Bruce Lietzke
United States Jerry Pate
54,000
1978 South Africa Gary Player (2) 281 −7 2 strokes United States Andy North
United States Lee Trevino
45,000
1977 United States Jack Nicklaus (5) 281 −7 Playoff United States Bruce Lietzke 45,000
1976 United States Don January (2) 277 −11 5 strokes United States Hubert Green 45,000
1975 United States Al Geiberger 277 −11 Playoff South Africa Gary Player 40,000
Tournament of Champions
1974 United States Johnny Miller 280 −8 1 stroke United States Buddy Allin
United States John Mahaffey
40,000
1973 United States Jack Nicklaus (4) 276 −12 1 stroke United States Lee Trevino 40,000
1972 United States Bobby Mitchell 280 −8 Playoff United States Jack Nicklaus 33,000
1971 United States Jack Nicklaus (3) 279 −9 8 strokes Australia Bruce Devlin
South Africa Gary Player
United States Dave Stockton
33,000
1970 United States Frank Beard (2) 273 −15 7 strokes United States Billy Casper
England Tony Jacklin
South Africa Gary Player
30,000
1969 South Africa Gary Player 284 −4 2 strokes United States Lee Trevino 30,000
1968 United States Don January 276 −8 1 stroke United States Julius Boros 30,000
1967 United States Frank Beard 278 −6 1 stroke United States Arnold Palmer 20,000
1966 United States Arnold Palmer (3) 283 −5 Playoff United States Gay Brewer 20,000
1965 United States Arnold Palmer (2) 277 −11 2 strokes United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez 14,000
1964 United States Jack Nicklaus (2) 279 −9 2 strokes United States Al Geiberger
United States Doug Sanders
12,000
1963 United States Jack Nicklaus 273 −15 5 strokes United States Tony Lema
United States Arnold Palmer
13,000
1962 United States Arnold Palmer 276 −12 1 stroke United States Billy Casper 11,000
1961 United States Sam Snead 273 −15 7 strokes United States Tommy Bolt 10,000
1960 United States Jerry Barber 268 −20 4 strokes United States Jay Hebert 10,000
1959 United States Mike Souchak 281 −7 2 strokes United States Art Wall Jr. 10,000
1958 Canada Stan Leonard 275 −13 1 stroke United States Billy Casper 10,000
1957 United States Gene Littler (3) 285 −3 3 strokes United States Billy Casper
United States Jimmy Demaret
United States Dow Finsterwald
United States Billy Maxwell
10,000
1956 United States Gene Littler (2) 281 −7 4 strokes United States Cary Middlecoff 10,000
1955 United States Gene Littler 280 −8 13 strokes United States Jerry Barber
United States Pete Cooper
United States Bob Toski
10,000
1954 United States Art Wall Jr. 278 −10 6 strokes United States Al Besselink
United States Lloyd Mangrum
10,000
1953 United States Al Besselink 280 −8 1 stroke United States Chandler Harper 10,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Multiple winners

[edit]

Sixteen men have won the tournament more than once through 2023.

Tournament highlights

[edit]
  • 1953: Al Besselink wins the inaugural Tournament of Champions (TOC) by one shot over Chandler Harper.[11]
  • 1955: Gene Littler is victorious at the TOC for the first time. He wins by 13 shots over Pete Cooper, Jerry Barber, and Bob Toski.[12]
  • 1957: For the third consecutive year, Gene Littler is victorious at the TOC. He finishes three shots ahead of Billy Casper, Jimmy Demaret, Dow Finsterwald, and Billy Maxwell.[13]
  • 1959: Mike Souchak wins by two shots over Art Wall Jr. in spite of his shooting a final round 77.[14]
  • 1960: Jerry Barber shoots 268, a TOC tournament mark for its time in Las Vegas. He beats Jay Hebert by four shots.[15]
  • 1962: Arnold Palmer earns his first TOC title. He birdies the 72nd hole to finish one shot ahead of Billy Casper.[16]
  • 1963: Jack Nicklaus wins the TOC for the first time. He finishes five shots ahead of Tony Lema and Arnold Palmer.[17]
  • 1966: Arnold Palmer successfully defends his TOC title by defeating Gay Brewer 69 to 73 in an 18-hole playoff. For Brewer, it's his second 18-hole playoff loss in a week. In the tournament prior to the TOC, The 1966 Masters Tournament, Brewer was defeated by Jack Nicklaus.[18]
  • 1967: Frank Beard prevents Arnold Palmer from winning a third straight TOC. He holes a seven-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to win by one shot over Palmer.[19]
  • 1969: Gary Player wins in the United States for the first time since his 1965 U.S. Open triumph. He finishes two shots ahead of Lee Trevino.[20]
  • 1972: Bobby Mitchell wins the TOC after he sinks a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden death playoff with Jack Nicklaus[21]
  • 1973: Jack Nicklaus wins the TOC for a fourth time. He beats Lee Trevino by one shot.[22]
  • 1977: Jack Nicklaus collects his fifth and final TOC title. He birdies the third hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Bruce Lietzke.[23]
  • 1978: Just like the week previous at Masters, Gary Player comes back from seven shots behind to win. He finishes two shots ahead of Andy North and Lee Trevino.[24]
  • 1980: Tom Watson wins by three shots over Jim Colbert. The original margin of victory was five shots but Watson was penalized two shots by tour officials after he was overheard giving advice to his playing partner Lee Trevino.[25]
  • 1981: Lee Trevino earns his first PGA Tour victory in California. He beats Raymond Floyd by two shots.[26]
  • 1982: Ron Streck comes to the 72nd hole tied with Lanny Wadkins but three putts to seemingly lose by one shot. After play is finished, Streck is assessed a two-shot penalty for moving a tree branch in his face on the 70th hole. The penalty drops Streck into a four-way tie for second along with Andy Bean, David Graham, and Craig Stadler and costs him over $14,000 in prize money.[27]
  • 1985: Tom Kite shoots a first round 64 on his way to a six shot triumph over Mark McCumber.[28]
  • 1986: Calvin Peete shoots a new tournament 72 hole scoring record, 267. He finishes six shots ahead of Mark O'Meara.[29]
  • 1991: Tom Kite wins the TOC for a second time when Lanny Wadkins three putts the 71st hole from just eighteen feet.[30]
  • 1995: Steve Elkington birdies the second hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Bruce Lietzke.[31] During the tournament's final round, third round leader John Huston putted a ball into a lake.[32]
  • 1997: Tiger Woods, who would eventually go on to winning PGA Player of the Year for 1997, birdies the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Tom Lehman.[33]
  • 1999: David Duval wins the first edition of the tournament played in Hawaii. He finishes nine shots ahead of Mark O'Meara and Billy Mayfair.[34]
  • 2000: Tiger Woods wins his fifth consecutive PGA Tour event. He sinks a forty-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Ernie Els.[35]
  • 2003: Ernie Els shoots a tournament record 261 on his way to an eight-shot victory over Rocco Mediate and K. J. Choi.[36]
  • 2006: Stuart Appleby defeats Vijay Singh on the first hole of a sudden death playoff. In doing so, Appleby joins Gene Littler as the only golfers to win the tournament three consecutive years.[37]
  • 2010: Geoff Ogilvy successfully defends his tournament title. He finishes one shot ahead of Rory Sabbatini.[38]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ PGA Tour scoring record to par.
  2. ^ a b c Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ PGA Tour takes over Maui’s 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions
  2. ^ "Fall Series events to offer full FedExCup points". PGA Tour. June 26, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "SBS to sponsor season-opening event through 2019". PGA Tour. May 7, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Sentry extends as title sponsor of Tournament of Champions through 2035". PGA Tour. August 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "Hyundai taking over sponsorship at Kapalua". PGA Tour. November 4, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  6. ^ "Hyundai Ends Sponsorship of Tournament of Champions". Maui Now. January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  7. ^ "Tournament of Champions getting a new sponsor for 2018 event". CBS Sports. August 16, 2017.
  8. ^ "Sentry extends as title sponsor of Tournament of Champions thru 2030". PGA Tour. December 31, 2019.
  9. ^ "Eligibility criteria added to 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  10. ^ "How to watch Sentry Tournament of Champions, Round 1: Tee times, live leaderboard, TV times".
  11. ^ Besselink Captures Tournament of Champions by Stroke
  12. ^ Gene Littler easy tourney champ
  13. ^ Littler Captures Third Tourney Of Champions
  14. ^ Souchak Beats Wall By 2 Strokes
  15. ^ Jerry Barber tops champions
  16. ^ Arnold Palmer Does It Again
  17. ^ Jack Loafs to Victory at 'Vegas'
  18. ^ Palmer Wins In A Breeze
  19. ^ Frank Beard Wins Tourney On Final Hole
  20. ^ Gary Nabs Champions
  21. ^ Mitchell Snatches Tournament Of Champions Purse From Jack
  22. ^ Jack Wins Title
  23. ^ Nicklaus Wins Playoff With Birdie on 3rd Hole
  24. ^ Player Does It Again, Charges To T Of C Victory
  25. ^ Watson penalized 2 shots, but wins by 3
  26. ^ Trevino edges Floyd for 2-stroke victory
  27. ^ Golfer Streck pulls a no-no
  28. ^ Kite Front-Running Victor In Tournament Of Champions
  29. ^ Peete Takes 6-Stroke Victory In Tournament of Champions
  30. ^ Kite, With a Final 69, Outlasts Wadkins
  31. ^ Elkington wins Mercedes event
  32. ^ Putt into lake costs Huston crown
  33. ^ Woods wins Mercedes playoff
  34. ^ Duval cruises to Mercedes victory
  35. ^ With 40-Foot Putt in Playoff, Woods Matches Hogan's Streak
  36. ^ Tour Scoring Record Starts Els's Season Right
  37. ^ Appleby claims third straight Mercedes Championship
  38. ^ Ogilvy bests Sabbatini by one stroke
[edit]

21°00′22″N 156°38′24″W / 21.006°N 156.64°W / 21.006; -156.64