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PGA Tour Unstoppable: 12 Pros Chasing Glory in FedExCup Fall
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The post-Ryder Cup season intensifies as the Sanderson Farms Championship becomes a critical battleground for players to secure their 2026 PGA Tour cards.
JACKSON, Miss. – The echoes of the wild Ryder Cup have faded, leaving European stars celebrating and the American team regrouping. Now, the focus shifts from team glory to individual survival as the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Fall resumes, and the pressure is palpable. The next seven tournaments are a high-stakes scramble for crucial PGA Tour membership status, and it all continues this week at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
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With 132 golfers assembled at The Country Club of Jackson, every shot carries immense weight. For those on the bubble of the FedExCup standings, this isn’t just another tournament; it’s a career-defining opportunity.
Sanderson Farms Championship: Power Rankings Preview
The field is packed with talent, from rising stars to seasoned veterans, all vying for the title. Here’s a look at the top contenders based on recent form and course history:
| Rank | Player | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emiliano Grillo | Poised to do damage, Grillo is just outside the Aon Next 10. He brings strong recent form, including a T4 at the Procore, and solid experience at this course (T5 in 2022). |
| 2 | Akshay Bhatia | The lefty has flipped the script on a frustrating spring. After a T13 at the TOUR Championship and a T11 at the Procore, he arrives with massive momentum. |
| 3 | Michael Thorbjornsen | The 24-year-old’s game is coming together brilliantly. With elite power and precision, he’s logged three top fives in his last five months and placed T8 in his debut here last year. |
| 4 | Mackenzie Hughes | Carrying elevated expectations, the 2022 winner of this event is a proven threat. He also finished T8 here last year and T7 at the Procore three weeks ago. |
| 5 | Jacob Bridgeman | The FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood was the only other non-winner at the TOUR Championship, and Bridgeman is here to change that. He finished T11 in his debut last year. |
| 6 | J.T. Poston | With no title to defend at the Shriners (as it’s not on the schedule), Poston comes to Jackson sharp. A solo third in 2020 highlights his five successful paydays at this event. |
| 7 | Beau Hossler | A victim of the playoff here in the last three years, Hossler is 4-for-4 at the tournament with two top 10s. Improved putting has him in solid form. |
| 8 | Rico Hoey | He leads the TOUR in greens hit but needs his putter to cooperate. He’s 6-for-6 in his last starts with two top 10s, showing he’s always in the mix. |
| 9 | Davis Thompson | With his card secure, Thompson is playing with house money. He’s a perfect 3-for-3 at this event and brings a steady, experienced game. |
| 10 | Min Woo Lee | A winner earlier this year, his card is locked up. Now, he’s targeting a spot in the Aon Next 10 after a strong T11-T5 run in Europe in September. |
…Continued rankings include Mark Hubbard, Lanto Griffin, Kevin Yu, Garrick Higgo, and Rasmus Højgaard, all of whom have compelling reasons to believe they can win.
The Course: A Shootout Awaits at The Country Club of Jackson
The Country Club of Jackson is a familiar battleground, hosting this event for the 12th time. While it’s a lengthy par-72, it has consistently yielded low scores. In fact, the last three tournaments have been decided in a dramatic playoff.
Last year, Kevin Yu set a new tournament record with a stunning 23-under 265. While the rough is slightly taller this year, a dry summer has made it less punishing. The key to victory will be a classic recipe: hit the Bermudagrass greens and make putts, especially on the challenging par-5s.
“This is a classic shootout that requires hitting greens that are average in size and converting the putts,” the analysis confirms.
Weather and Conditions
Players can expect primarily sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-80s. However, a potential complication comes from easterly winds, which are opposite the prevailing direction. This could confuse club selection and add an extra layer of challenge for the field.
As the FedExCup Fall heats up, the Sanderson Farms Championship is set to be a pivotal and unpredictable showdown. With careers on the line, every swing will be filled with tension and triumph.