Brandon Hagy shoots 64 to lead The American Express

The easy part is over. As it always does, time ran its course. Thankfully, we were guaranteed not to hang in 2020 forever. Of course, much work remains to transition from dealing with its extraordinary remnants on the daily to filing all its infamy into the history books. Among the innumerable steps of varying degrees to completing that task are adjustments that the PGA TOUR made that will continue to remind us of the impact of last year. This week's Sentry Tournament of Champions serves as the annual reentry of the season following the holiday hiatus. Because three months of competition were lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the construct of the field at Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course is, what else, unprecedented. For the explanation on what is anticipated to be a one-time decision, how Kapalua played in its first edition after its comprehensive renovation a year ago, and much more, continue reading beneath the projected contenders. RELATED: The First Look | Inside the Field POWER RANKINGS: SENTRY TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS The other 27 in the field will be ranked 16-42 in Tuesday's Fantasy Insider. (There are no Sleepers for the tournament.) When considering the entirety of calendar-year 2020, there was a potential net negative of 11 unique winners of 10 tournaments. Three events originally scheduled for the 2019-20 season (during which 13 tournaments were canceled, including the Zurich Classic of New Orleans from which both members of the winning team qualify for the Sentry Tournament of Champions) were shifted to the fall of the 2020-21 season. Understanding how this could impact the field at Kapalua, it was announced over the summer that all qualifiers for the TOUR Championship would be extended an exemption to tee it up on Maui for the first and probably the only time. With the special provision in place, 45 golfers qualified for what has been the most exclusive event on the schedule because only winners since the last edition have been eligible. This year, 17 qualified via the TOUR Championship only. This includes Abraham Ancer and Scottie Scheffler, neither of whom ever have won a PGA TOUR event. (Rory McIlroy also gained entry via this exemption but has elected not to compete. Tyrrell Hatton and Jim Herman qualified traditionally as winners, but both also didn't commit. Herman cannot play due to contracting COVID-19.) Ignoring the fact that neither Ancer nor Scheffler has experienced the thrill of winning at this level, the chance of either breaking though at Kapalua isn't supported by tournament history. Since David Duval won the inaugural edition of the tournament on the course in 1999, only Sergio Garcia (2002) and Daniel Chopra (2008) have prevailed in a first appearance. In all, there are seven first-timers in the field, but there are only 15 who got a look at the course changes last year. This includes defending champion Justin Thomas, who survived a three-way playoff after settling for 14-under 278 amid challenging conditions in regulation. It was the highest winning aggregate in 13 years. Given the soft turf and strong winds during the renovation's debut, it's possible if not likely that the results will present as an anomaly over time. The machine for trade winds (out of the northeast) will be humming at times, but it won't be cranked up to 10 like last year. And the chance for rain is all but zero. With pleasant weather forecasted, designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw no doubt are eager to observe how the beefier field goes about reeling in the beautifully artistic, blue-and-white glass trophy representing a whale's tail and a crashing wave. The course tips at 7,596 yards and plays to the only par of 73 all season. There are only three par 3s. In this land of extremes, last year's field averaged 80.93 percent (or 12.14) fairways hit per round, easily the most of 41 courses used all season. Now, that's not unusual no matter the conditions since there's considerable real estate within favorable sightlines framed by two-inch primary rough off most tees, but it didn't translate into a commensurate amount of scoring opportunities, largely because of the wind. The field averaged 12.60 greens in regulation per round, which is 1-2 fewer per round than expected. It also registered an average proximity to the hole reading of 45 feet, longest among all tracks measured by ShotLink. The tournament wasn't without an alignment of expectations, however. The new TifEagle bermudagrass greens, which continue to mature but still could show a little spring this week, challenged marvelously. One-putt percentages always will be low and three-putt avoidances always will be high on the massive surfaces, but nothing measured leaps off the page as an outlier. If anything, they were easier because guys could be aggressive within striking distance. That's probably going to change. Greens were flattened as part of the upgrade. This yielded an increase of hole locations and the opportunity to increase speed. Weather-pending, they could run upwards of 11 feet on the Stimpmeter, which is a foot longer than before they were modified. Although Kapalua always has rewarded the full game, the premium on putting has been elevated. ROB BOLTON'S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM's Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Fantasy Insider SUNDAY: Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Rookie Watch * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM's Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.

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THE OVERVIEW JERSEY CITY, N.J. – His International team will not be the rooting favorite this week at Liberty National, but Captain Nick Price can’t think of a better place to play the Presidents Cup on enemy soil. “Of all the cities you want to play in for the Internationals, this is the best one because it’s the most cosmopolitan city in American and made of so many ethnicities,â€� Price said of the New Jersey-New York area. “We are hoping we’re going to get a lot of support out here.â€� Price’s most experienced player, Adam Scott, is not holding his breath. “I really hope that is the case,â€� said the Aussie, making his eight Presidents Cup appearance. “However, I think the crowd will drown out whatever support we do have. But I do hope as many Internationals come out and support us as possibly can.â€� Of the 11 previous Presidents Cup, six have been played in the U.S. The Americans have won each time, by an average margin of 5.8 points. Just once has the winning margin been less than three points. The most significant factors in the Americans’ dominance has been their superior depth and talent level, not necessarily the hometown support – although Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee says there’s a 5-point differential between the home and visiting teams. Given that the New York metropolitan area is hosting the Presidents Cup for the first time (and has not hosted a Ryder Cup since 1935 when nearby Ridgewood Country Club was the venue), players and captains expect the atmosphere this week to be ramped up. “The crowds here are the best; they really are,â€� said Phil Mickelson, who has played in every Presidents Cup. “I think it’s going to be a wonderful advantage that we are going to try to use and very well may need to bring out our best, to keep us going when we’re down and to push us forward when we’re up.â€� Added U.S. Captain Steve Stricker: “It’s going to be a very vocal crowd. We have one of the most beloved guys on our team from the New York fan base and that’s Phil. This guy is a legend out there and he gets so much support.â€� A year ago at the Ryder Cup, the pro-American crowds at Hazeltine provided too much support – at least in terms of some fans crossing the bounds of good taste against the Europeans, forcing tournament officials to appeal for a more civilized approach on the final day. The Presidents Cup has not been faced with such issues, and both sides hope to keep it that way. “Hopefully the fans are fair and cheer for good golf,â€� Rickie Fowler said. “Yeah, they’re going to cheer for the U.S., probably louder and more often, but just appreciate the good golf that everyone is going to get to see this week.â€� The Internationals are bracing for the pro-U.S. atmosphere. “I think we’ve just got to go out there and just embrace it,â€� said Jason Day. “We can’t really get too into what’s being said or who they’re cheering for. We’ve just got to try to stay in our lane.â€� Besides the friends and family members behind the ropes this week, the Internationals can also count on having the Fanatics, the group of Australian-based fans who have become an integral part of recent Presidents Cups. They will be outnumbered by the U.S. fans but they won’t be any less enthusiastic. “A lot of people that maybe have had the Presidents Cup on their bucket list for the last 10 or 15 years,â€� said International assistant Geoff Ogilvy. “New York, that’s the one you go to — especially at Liberty. I think we’ve got a chance that the crowd will be as balanced as we could have it in the U.S.â€� And maybe there will be some good-natured back-and-forth between the green-and-yellow Aussie Fanatics and the red-white-and-blue Americans. “I’m very interested to see how that dynamic plays out this week,â€� Scott said with a wicked grin. THREE PLAYERS TO PONDER 1. Adam Scott Will the win-one-for-Scottie battle cry provide the necessary motivation to push the Internationals to the upset? 2. Justin Thomas From a form standpoint, the FedExCup champ is firing on all cylinders. From an energy standpoint, well, it’s been a grind recently. 3. Phil Mickelson Even without winning a match, Mickelson could be the MVP of this team. Of course, points would help too. THE FLYOVER In the last three Presidents Cup, there have been 98 matches played – and just 10 of them have failed to reach at least the 15th hole. If that trend holds, that means approximately 90 percent of the 30 matches at Liberty National will end between holes 15 and 18. With a rerouting of the holes for this event, two of the final four closing holes will be par 3s (the 219-yard 16th and the 193-yard 18th). Asked what he thought of having a match finish in a par 3, U.S. Captain Steve Stricker said, “I think it’s a unique way to end the match, when there is no drive involved. You’re going to peg it into the tee and it’s who is going to handle the pressure and hit a great iron shot in there.â€� Here’s a look at the closing four holes this week. THE LANDING ZONE When Liberty National hosted FedExCup Playoffs events in 2009 and 2013, the closing hole was a par-4 of nearly 500 yards that ran near the bay leading out to the Hudson River and showcasing the nearby Statue of Liberty. Thanks to the rerouting, that hole can expect to be played in nearly every match this week, as it’s now the 490-yard 14th. In 2013, the hole played to a stroke average of 4.195, making it the fifth hardest hole on the course. A demanding tee shot into a variety of wind conditions will test the player; International veteran Charl Schwartzel was one of a handful of players who took a penalty shot on the hole in 2013. Here’s the scattershot chart of all tee shots that year. WEATHER CHECK Potentially challenging wind conditions on the first two days. Rain a possibility on the weekend. That’s the forecast entering this week’s Presidents Cup. The temperatures should be pleasant, but Saturday’s two-session day also has the highest probability of showers. Here’s a look at the four-day forecast. Click here for the latest weather conditions from Jersey City, New Jersey. SOUND CHECK Everyone is going to be nervous on that tee… It will certainly sort the men out from the boys early on. ODDS AND ENDS 1. QUICK START NEEDED. The Internationals can point to their lack of production in Foursomes as a key reason they’ve struggled in the Presidents Cup. They haven’t outpointed the U.S. in Foursomes in the last nine Presidents Cups, and have only split the points once. Given that Foursomes is the traditional first-day session, that makes it imperative to get off to a decent start and at least avoid a big early hole. “Every year, the Americans come out and do that to us,â€� said Jason Day. “So we have to kind of do that to them and really try and put some pressure on them early.â€� 2. THE FIRST-TIMERS. The International team has just four of them. The Americans have six. So, advantage Internationals? Perhaps, although expecting players such as Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka to suffer rookie jitters seems a bit far-fetched. “If you want to call Justin Thomas a rookie, I get it. It’s his first time playing the event,â€� said Phil Mickelson. “The guy is Player of the Year, he’s won five times. I ask more questions around him than I try to deliver.â€� Still, the Internationals are hopeful. “We’ve got, I think for the first time ever, almost less rookies in the team than the American team,â€� said Branden Grace. “You know, that is a big plus for us.â€� 3. UNLV SHOWDOWN? The possibilities of Sunday Singles matchups already has begun, and discussions early in the week centered on former UNLV golfers Charley Hoffman and Adam Scott. Hoffman, the 40-year-old Presidents Cup first-timer, said he might offer up the request to U.S. Captain Steve Stricker. Scott said he’s also brought up the pairing. “Look, I’m happy to play anyone, but I did congratulate Chuck on getting in the team and mentioned that we might have to have a showdown, reminiscent of our days in college,â€� Scott said. A message from our sponsor: United MileagePlus members, you can use your award miles to enjoy the Presidents Cup from the comfort of the United Airlines Fairway Club, located on the 15th green. You and a guest will enjoy complimentary food and beverages while watching the top PGA TOUR players compete. Limited quantities available on-site.

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The newest class of World Golf Hall of Fame members will be inducted during THE PLAYERS week, and it includes one of the biggest names in the game’s history. Tiger Woods highlights the four people that will be inducted March 9 at the PGA TOUR’s Global Home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Three-times U.S. Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Berning will join Woods in being inducted in the “competitors” category, while former PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and the late Marion Hollins will be enshrined for their contributions to the game. The ceremony, hosted by David Feherty, will air live on Golf Channel at 7 p.m. Eastern. In addition to honoring the four newest Hall of Fame members, the induction ceremony also will recognize Dick Ferris and Peter Ueberroth, as recipients of a newly created lifetime achievement award for their contributions to the sport. Additionally, Renee Powell will be honored for her spirit in advancing diversity in golf, as the inaugural recipient of the Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company. The ceremony will take place in Northeast Florida for the first time since 2013, with the most recent ceremonies being held in Pebble Beach, California (2019), New York (2017) and St. Andrews, Scotland (2015). To prepare you for Wednesday’s ceremony, here’s a quick look at the four inductees. SUSIE MAXWELL BERNING Hometown: Pasadena, California Induction category: Competitor Birthdate: July 22, 1941 Major championships: 4 LPGA wins: 11 Awards and honors: LPGA Rookie of the Year (1964) Fact: Berning remains one of only six women to have won the U.S. Women’s Open on at least three separate occasions. Despite not taking up golf until age 15, Susie Maxwell Berning quickly took to the sport. She won three straight Oklahoma state high school championships and was the first woman to be offered a golf scholarship from Oklahoma City University (where she competed on the men’s team). Upon turning professional in 1964, she earned LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors. Throughout her career she won 11 times, including an impressive four majors – the 1965 Women’s Western Open, and the U.S. Women’s Open (three times) in 1968, 1972 and 1973. “Susie perfectly embodies what it means to be a Hall of Famer,” said former LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan. “She was a trailblazer from when she first picked up a club throughout her amateur career, and then made a big splash once she reached the LPGA Tour. I think about the short list of individuals – male or female – who have won three U.S. Open titles, let alone four major championships, and understand just how incredible that is. She also shortened her career when she made a decision to walk away to focus on family – something every female professional can empathize with and respect.” Quote: “Quite an honor. Just to be in the same room as Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth, Judy Rankin and Patty Berg – I tell you I remember when I first was on the tour, just how nice Patty Berg was to me and I was scared to death, as it was the first time I ever played with Mickey. To be honored alongside them is something I thought would never happen. I never even thought about it. I’m now part of their family, which makes me very proud.” – Susie Maxwell Berning TIM FINCHEM Hometown: Ottawa, Illinois Induction category: Contributor Birthdate: April 19, 1947 Accomplishments: Created Presidents Cup in 1994; Introduced the FedExCup in 2007; Established the First Tee in 1997; PGA TOUR and its tournaments raised over $2 billion for charitable organizations during his tenure; Spearheaded efforts to coordinate the bid for golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016 Awards and honors: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Old Tom Morris Award; American Society of Golf Course Architects Donald Ross Award; PGA of America Distinguished Service Award; Dick Schaap Lifetime Achievement in Sports Award; Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Gold Tee Award; PGA TOUR Champions Tournament Advisory Council Bruno Award; KPMG Lifetime Achievement Award; National Golf Course Owners Association Award of Merit; National Golf Foundation Graffis Award. Fact: Finchem, a 1969 graduate of the University of Richmond, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the school in 2019. Under Tim Finchem’s leadership as Commissioner (1994-2016), he worked to ensure that giving back was part of the fabric of the PGA TOUR’s business model – as evidenced by the TOUR and its tournaments raising more than $2 billion in charitable contributions during his tenure. He also was instrumental in founding the First Tee in 1997. Since its inception, Finchem has helped the First Tee grow and develop into the positive youth development organization it is today, having reached more than 15 million young people on golf courses, in schools and through after-school programs. Finchem also led the creation and execution efforts around signature pillars in professional golf, including the FedExCup, FedExCup Playoffs and the Presidents Cup. During his 22 years as Commissioner, PGA TOUR prize money also grew from less than $100 million on three tours in 1994 to more than $400 million on six tours at the time of his retirement. Finchem’s impact expanded far beyond the PGA TOUR, as he left his mark on the global game. He spearheaded efforts to coordinate the bid for golf’s return to the Olympics, which became a reality in the 2016 after a 112-year absence. Quote: “It is the greatest honor to be elected to join golf’s most legendary players and contributors in the World Golf Hall of Fame. This is a truly humbling moment, for which I am most grateful, and I look forward to celebrating with my family and friends throughout the game of golf and the many people who made this possible for me. I am especially proud to stand alongside one of the world’s all-time greats, Tiger Woods, in the Class of 2022 and look forward to what will be an exciting year ahead.” – Tim Finchem MARION HOLLINS Hometown: East Islip, N.Y. Induction category: Contributor Birthdate: Dec. 3, 1892 Deceased: Aug. 27, 1944 Notable victories: U.S. Women’s Amateur (1921) Awards and honors: Northern California Golf Association Hall of Fame; Victorious playing captain in 1932 Curtis Cup Fact: Hollins, who raced cars and was the only woman in the U.S. with a men’s polo handicap, marched with Suffragettes in New York City and promoted sports for women and children. A visionary golf course developer/architect, Marion Hollins became a pioneer of the sport. A standout golfer who won the 1921 U.S. Women’s Amateur and served as captain of the first U.S. Curtis Cup team, she would shift her attention by contributing to the development of the Monterey Peninsula into a golf mecca. She made significant contributions to Cypress Point Club, and then founded and oversaw the development of Pasatiempo Golf Course. Fellow Hall of Fame member Alister MacKenzie credits Hollins with the idea for the iconic 16th hole at Cypress Point, with her suggesting it be played as a par-3 (instead of a par-4). Later, in collaboration with MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, she provided her influence on the development of Augusta National Golf Club. Quote: “When you start reading about Marion Hollins, you realize what a trailblazer she was. In her era, she didn’t have many resources with the status of women in sports and golf. To be that kind of trailblazer with that kind of enthusiasm and energy and get into course development and design is very inspirational. She was an advocate for women and changed the landscape of the game.” — Annika Sorenstam, Class of 2003 Inductee TIGER WOODS Hometown: Cypress, California Induction category: Competitor Birthdate: Dec. 30, 1975 Majors & THE PLAYERS: 17 PGA TOUR wins: 82 DP World Tour wins: 8 Japan Golf Tour wins: 2 Asian Tour wins: 1 Ryder Cup appearances: 8 Presidents Cup appearances: 9 Awards and honors: PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year (1996), PGA Player of the Year (1997, 1999-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2013); PGA TOUR Player of the Year (1997, 1999-2003, 2005-07, 2009, 2013); Vardon Trophy Award (1999-2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2013); Byron Nelson Award (1999-2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2013); Mark H. McCormack Award (1998-2010, 2013); AP Male Athlete of the Year (1997, 1999, 2000, 2006); AP Athlete of the Decade (2009); Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1996, 2000); Charlie Bartlett Award (2007); GWAA Ben Hogan Award (2019); Presidential Medal of Freedom (2019) A winner of 93 worldwide events including a record-tying 82 on the PGA TOUR, Tiger Woods is a 15-time major champion and a three-time winner of the Career Grand Slam. Woods completed the “Tiger Slam” in 2000-01 when he became the first golfer since Bobby Jones to hold all four men’s major championship titles at the same time. He also won THE PLAYERS in 2001, holding the five biggest titles in professional golf concurrently. A two-time champion of THE PLAYERS and the first two-time winner of the FedExCup, Woods has competed on eight Ryder Cup and nine Presidents Cup teams, including when he served as a playing captain of the victorious U.S. Presidents Cup team in 2019. He is an 11-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 following his fifth Masters victory. Outside the ropes, Woods’ TGR Foundation has supported more than two million students around the world. Quote: “I am both honored and humbled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. This past year has been such an incredible journey and the support I’ve received from my family, friends and fans has been overwhelming. This achievement is the ultimate recognition to never give up and keep chasing.” –Tiger Woods

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