The PGA Tour has its 13th event on its 2024 calendar, all set to kick off at the Copperhead Course. Yes, the Valspar Championship will see its first tee shot soon as the likes of Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele, among other professionals take part in the same. However, they are but a part of the field of 154 golfers who are aiming to grab the title. However, Thomas couldn’t help but speak out against the figures.
The golfer was taking part in a press conference ahead of the upcoming tournament on Wednesday, March 20. During the same, the PAC member was asked about the balance that the change in the number of players taking part in the PGA Tour event, which is otherwise usually set at 144, would bring. Interestingly, he sure did not shy away from answering the query.
Justin Thomas comes out candid on Valspar Championship field
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I don’t know what the answer is,” responded the 30-year-old to the curious question. But even so, he was sure there “has to be some kind of changes.” Recounting his memories back when he came out, Thomas said, “There definitely is the Korn Ferry Tour category… and if you didn’t play well, I mean, there were times where guys wouldn’t get in nothing but a handful.”
Adding on, he admitted, “There’s something that’s got to be tweaked here and there too where it can, just something a little bit more consistent… to where you’re not having to do things like this,” as he alluded to the whole situation with the upcoming championship. Moreover, although the 2-time major champ agreed to accept the same as a temporary solution, he emphasized the need for another solution as he mentioned, ” I don’t know necessarily think that’s what the answer should be. I mean, it’s what the answer has to be right now, I guess, but not long-term, I wouldn’t think.”
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour event earlier in 2024, agreed to expand to include as many as 156 golfers. They did so to increase the playing time for as many fully exempt Tour members as possible. That’s not all, the men’s circuit will also witness a similar situation in the Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open, which is set to kick off next week and the following one after that.
However, despite the Valspar Championship increasing its field size to accommodate as many fully exempt athletes as possible, misfortune couldn’t be kept away from a couple of them. Unfortunately, two golfers were forced to withdraw from the event after THE PLAYERS Championship.
Withdrawals plague the golf world
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Tom Kim and Garrick Higgo were forced to pull out of the recently ended tournament, which is popularly deemed ‘The Fifth Major’ of golf. The former withdrew during the first round after the 17th hole on his front nine, citing reasons of an illness. Meanwhile, the latter was caught in a similar situation owing to a wrist injury that made him pull during the second round.
That’s not all. Just a couple of days later, Kim went ahead to withdraw from the Valspar Championship, due to which another player, Trace Crowe, was roped in for his place on the field. However, the same couldn’t be said for Higgo’s place, as he announced himself pulling out on Wednesday, moving the total number of players to 154.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Unluckily, for players like Patton Kizzire and Kevin Chappell, who are the first and second alternates, will only be allowed to replace WD’s if the field drops below 144. Anyhow, the bizarre situation at the Valspar Championship might, at the end of the day, lead to more action on the greens. Regardless, it remains to be seen whether the expanded field means good for the circuit or not!
