Hoag Classic Newport Beach: Preview storylines, how to watch and more

PGA TOUR Champions travels west for the Hoag Classic Newport Beach, the first of two consecutive weeks in California. Joe Durant will look to continue his strong play heading to Newport Beach Country Club after claiming victory at the Cologuard Classic and two top-10 finishes already this season.

Newport Beach Country Club will host after having undergone a renovation in 2022, increasing the total number of bunkers from 65 to 83. The renovation included all new tees and bunkers, three new greens (Nos. 13, 15 and 17) and four green extensions (Nos. 1, 5, 10 and 14). The Hoag Classic boasts the record for the longest sudden-death playoff in the history of the PGA TOUR Champions when Bob Murphy defeated Jay Sigel on the ninth hole, in 1997.

Seven World Golf Hall of Fame members, including two-time champion Ernie Els (2020, 2023) will tee it up at Newport Beach CC. Els came from five shots back to win last year’s edition of the event, firing a bogey-free, 6-under 65 on Sunday, to overcome Bernhard Langer. Langer will miss the 2024 event as he continues to recover from torn Achilles tendon while playing pickleball. Fellow Hall of Famers and past winners of the Hoag Classic Retief Goosen (2022), Vijay Singh (2018) and Fred Couples (2010, '14) will join Els. The last three editions of the event have seen South Africans hoist the trophy come Sunday, with Els and Goosen alternating as champions.

Other notables include 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Padraig Harrington and reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner Steve Stricker. Stricker is in the field after missing the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship last week. Current Charles Schwab Cup leader Steven Alker, who took victory at the Chubb Classic, will tee it up in Newport Beach. Jim Furyk will make his 2024 season debut. Furyk will be starting his fourth season on PGA TOUR Champions and will look to win for the first time since the 2021 U.S. Senior Open.

Todd Fischer and Kent Jones secured spots in the field at the Hoag Classic, sharing low medalist honors at the Monday qualifier, hosted at Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma, California. Harry Rudolph overcame a 7-for-1 playoff to decide the final open qualifying spot.

Tournament facts:

• Course: Newport Beach CC, par 71, 6,821 yards
• Field: 78 players (54 holes)
• Defending champion: Ernie Els
• Purse: $2,000,000 (winner: $300,000)
• Scoring records:
  • Low 18-hole score: 60, three times, last; Duffy Waldorf (Round 2, 2015)
  • Low 36-hole score: 127, two times, last; Jay Haas (2016)
  • Low 54-hole score: 193, Duffy Waldorf (2015)

How to watch:

• Friday: 10 p.m.-midnight (Tape delay on Golf Channel)
• Saturday: 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Sunday: 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel)