2020 Sanderson Farms Championship Preview
Sanderson Farms Championship
October 1 – October 4
Country Club of Jackson | Jackson, MS
Par 72 – 7,460 Yards
Defending: Sebastián Muñoz (-18) def. Sungjae Im (Playoff)
No big expectations going into the Corales Puntacana last week, but Hudson Swafford and Tyler McCumber kept things interesting down the stretch with Swafford finishing birdie-par to win the tournament at -18 (1 ahead of McCumber). Mackenzie Hughes (-16), Nate Lashley (-15) and Adam Long (-14) rounded out the top 5.
After what I’m sure was a great time in the Dominican Republic, the tour changes pace heading to Jackson, Mississippi for the Sanderson Farms Championship. The Country Club of Jackson is a par 72 course playing around 7460 yards with winners approaching -20 in what can turn into a putting contest. It’s a slightly improved field this week led by favorites Scottie Scheffler (+1100), Sungjae Im (+1600), Will Zalatoris (+2000), Sam Burns (+2800), Doc Redman (+3000) and defending champion Sebastian Munoz (+3000).
The course should play pretty open allowing longer hitters to let it fly off the tee and not be penalized too badly for errant shots. While the greens will be protected by sand, there aren’t many fairway traps to deal with and minimal water comes into play. Last year’s champion Munoz hit just 51.8% of fairways while Harris English led the field at 71.4% and finished T6. The top golfer in putts per GIR was Byeong Hun An at 1.589 helping him toward a 3rd place finish. So, some different ways to be successful but the one constant is going to be the putter. Other notables in the field this week include Byeong Hun An (+3300), Brian Harman (+3500), Henrik Stenson (+4500), Cam Davis (+5000) and Sergio Garcia (+6600).
The Course
Country Club of Jackson | Jackson, MS
Par 72 – 7,460 Yards
Par 3’s: 181, 214, 223, 168
Par 4’s: 411, 418, 482, 403, 421, 449, 330, 479, 436, 505
Par 5’s: 590, 612, 554, 584
If we’re trying to find something in the hole composition this week there are six par 4’s 400-450 yards and anytime there are four par 5’s you know par 5 scoring is going to be a factor.
Just like last week, these low scoring events are going to favor strokes gained tee to green and strokes gained putting. This will align with the high percentage birdie or better players as well. While it’s not going to play overly long, driving distance will be big a advantage for guys who can bomb it.
Looking into shot composition, nothing really stood out over the past few years which tends to happen with your standard Par 72, 7400 yard golf courses.
Scoring Holes: The winners will have to score on the four par 5’s, especially the 590 yard 3rd hole and 554 yard 11th which gives up the most eagles. The short 330 yard par 4 15th will give up a lot of birdies as well.
Problem Holes: Not many holes will give golfers trouble this week, but the 223 yard par 3 10th and 479 yard par 4 16th have played toughest in past years.
Past Champions (moved to Country Club of Jackson in 2014)
2019 – Sebastián Muñoz (-18) def. Sungjae Im (Playoff)
2018 – Cameron Champ (-21) def. Corey Conners (-17)
2017 – Ryan Armour (-19) def. Chesson Hadley (-14)
2016 – Cody Gribble (-20) def. Chris Kirk, Luke List, Greg Owen (-16)
2015 – Peter Malnati (-18) def. William McGirt, David Toms (-17)
2014 – Nick Taylor (-16) def. Jason Bohn, Boo Weekley (-14)