Fairway Focus: FedExCup Fall Series in Mississippi, DP World Tour Play a Scotland Trifecta

7 min read
Oct 2, 2024, 5:27 AM
Mackenzie Hughes

Mackenzie Hughes (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

 

RG.org's "Wednesday Fairway Focus" is a weekly look at golf's major tours. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, will provide his insights. In this installment, FedExCup Fall Series in Mississippi, DP World Tour Play a Scotland Trifecta.

FedExCup Fall Series in Mississippi

With the President's Cup concluded, the golf world now focuses on two spots: The Country Club of Jackson and the "Big Three" in Scotland: The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns.

The first stop is the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi. Although the regular FedExCup season has wrapped for 2024, the FedExCup Fall series is worth tuning into, starting with this week's Sanderson Farms Championship.

Located in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, The Country Club of Jackson is a course that will test every facet of the game this week. Its lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and slick greens make it a perfect stage for PGA TOUR professionals to showcase their game. The layout at the CC of Jackson is designed to challenge every tool in the pros' toolbox, from precision driving to dicy short-game shots, and promises an exciting and demanding week of golf.

A big talking point this year is the presence of Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar. Both have brought their considerable talents and charisma to Jackson, adding an extra layer of excitement this week. Rickie Fowler, making his debut at this event, is a fan favorite everywhere he goes. With his unique blend of daring and precision, Fowler is sure to draw large crowds this week. His participation is not just a treat for fans but also a boost for the tournament.

Another player to watch is Nick Dunlap.

Widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the game, Dunlap's presence at the Sanderson Farms Championship is generating a lot of buzz. Known for his power and precision, he'll be looking to make a significant impact this week.

Maverick McNealy is another name that's catching the attention of analysts and fans. McNealy has shown remarkable consistency and strategic acumen throughout the season. His ability to maintain composure under pressure makes him a strong contender. With his analytical approach and sharp iron play, McNealy could very well find himself in contention come Sunday.

My Pick

I'm going to roll this week with Canadian Mackenzie Hughes. The 2022 Sanderson Farms champion has had a good season, finishing at 52nd in the FedExCup standings. In 23 starts, he had 4 top 10's and 8 top 25's, winning $3,213,408. Sitting in the 5th spot in Strokes Gained Putting and 11th in Scrambling; he has the touch around the greens that often propels a player to be in the mix on Sunday afternoon.

 

 

What is the FedExCup Fall Series?

So, what exactly is the PGA TOUR FedExCup Fall series?

Think of it as a second chance for players ranked 51st through 125th in the FedExCup standings. Their goal? Secure their PGA TOUR cards and fight for better positioning for the next season. This series isn't just about holding onto privileges. It's about climbing the ranks and cementing a place in the top-tier events.

For those who sit beyond the top 50 but within striking distance, the FedExCup Fall series is their proving ground. A good performance during this stretch can mean moving into the crucial top 125, ensuring their place on the TOUR, and opportunities to compete in the marquee tournaments that can make or break careers.

What's unique here is the intensity. Each tournament offers valuable points, and every player is gunning to either maintain or improve their status. It's not just the seasoned players feeling the heat. Talented newcomers, who were the highest-ranked non-members, are also in the mix—hungry to make their mark.

The PGA TOUR FedExCup Fall series is more than just an extension of the FedExCup season. It's a battleground where passion and pressure drive golfers to their peak—compelling and defining the future of golf one stroke at a time.

 

 

DP World Tour at the Home of Golf

This week, the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship takes center stage on the DP World Tour. The event is renowned for pairing top professionals and high-profile amateurs, creating a unique and celebratory atmosphere. Held across three of Scotland's iconic courses—The Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns—it's a tournament that golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipate.

Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick returns with high hopes of becoming only the second player to win back-to-back titles at this event. Last year, he also clinched the Team Championship with his mother, Sue, adding more emotional weight to the occasion. This year, he'll be joined by other golfing families, including Rory McIlroy and his father Gerry and Tyrrell Hatton and his dad Jeff.

The field is stacked with talent, boasting an array of Major Champions.

McIlroy is eager to secure his first Alfred Dunhill Links title after near-misses at the Amgen Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship. He is joined by other Major winners like Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, and Brooks Koepka.

For the Scots, Robert MacIntyre leads the local hopes. Following a stellar year, including a win at the Genesis Scottish Open, MacIntyre aims to end the long wait for a Scottish victor in this tournament, the last being Colin Montgomerie in 2005.

Celebrities from various fields, including Hollywood stars like Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, and musicians like Mike Rutherford, add to the allure this week. This unique blend of professional and amateur competition fosters a week of fun and top-notch golf.

My Pick

I'm going with Jon Rahm this week. Despite losing in a playoff last week, he looks poised to make some noise this week in Scotland. In the team event, I'll be watching Robert MacIntyre and his dad, Dougie, as they look to cap off a memorable year for the pair. Remember, Bob's dad caddied for him in Canada when he won the RBC Canadian Open.

MacIntyre said earlier this week:
"He's the reason I play the way I play," he said. "If you watch the two of us swing, obviously, I've made some changes to my golf swing, but it's very, very similar, and he's the guy that's really taught me how to play the game golf, and it's just going to be special."

 

<p>Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.</p><p>Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.</p><p>Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.</p>
Interests:
PGA
Coaching
Teaching
Spending time with the family
Movies
Music

More Golf Stories

Our Authors

Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.

In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content. 

Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.

 ExperienceYear
Engaged in private entrepreneurship2000-2013
Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting2013-2020
Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol2022

"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports." 

- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG

 

Principles and Ethics

Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.

Strategic Vision

Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.

Future Perspectives

Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.

 

Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief

Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.

Experience:

  • Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
  • Former head of regional innovation at BMO Financial Group
  • Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina Varela Galan
Problem Gambling Expert

Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project 

 “Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.

Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambler team.

Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Head of News Department

Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.

Anna Kravtcova
Anna Kravtcova
Problem Gambling Expert

Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.

Mark Medina
Mark Medina
NBA Reporter

Mark Medina is a longtime NBA reporter that includes stints as a Lakers blogger with The Los Angeles Times (2010-12), Lakers beat writer with the Los Angeles Daily News (2012-17), Warriors beat writer with Bay Area News Group (2017-19) as well as an NBA reporter/columnist for USA Today (2019-21) and NBA.com (2021-23). Medina is also an NBA insider with Fox Sports Radio and frequent contributor to CBSLA's SportsCentralLA with Jim Hill and with Spectrum Sportsnet.

Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
Hockey Reporter

Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals. 

Owner of a telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth.

Integrative nutritionist specializing on sports nutritionology.

Paul M. Banks
Paul M. Banks
Sports Reporter

Paul M. Banks is a professional Content Creator whose career has seen bylines in numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, FOX Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Banks has made scores of guest appearances on live radio and television, featuring regularly on NTD News, WGN-TV, CCTV, ESPN Radio, the History Channel, SiriusXM and CBS Sports Radio.

He is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank.net, which has been featured and linked in hundreds of leading media outlets all across the world.

He has also authored two books, one of which, "No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in Sports Media," became an assigned textbook in journalism courses at State University New York-Oneonta.

Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Hockey Reporter

Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.

Show More