The 2023 calendar is winding down with just about five weeks left before 2024 arrives.
The big-ticket professional golf tour events have all come and gone, but there is still plenty of pro golf for fans to watch before the new year is here.
There is nothing going on this week as we all prepare for the long Thanksgiving weekend but on the horizon are a couple of what many call “silly season” events: a new team competition, a mixed-team event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA stars and the popular family tournament.
But it’s not all fun and games, as there are two Q schools and a promotion event where the stakes are high for those clinging to their professional golf aspirations.
Hero World Challenge
Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 3
Golf course: Albany
Location: New Providence, Bahamas
Defending champ: Viktor Hovland
Tiger’s back. Yes, we’ve said it before but the 2023 Hero will mark his first competitive golf outing since the Masters back in April.
TV info
First and second round, Golf Channel, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET
Third round, Golf Channel, 12-2:30 p.m. ET, NBC 2:30-5 p.m. ET
Final round, Golf Channel 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET, NBC 1:30-4:30 p.m. ET.
LPGA Q Series
Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 5
Golf course: Magnolia Grove Golf Course (Falls and Crossings courses)
Location: Mobile, Alabama
A shortened Q-Series takes place on the Robert Trent Jones Trail. This year, players will compete over 108 holes of stroke-play competition with a cut after the fourth round. The purse is $150,000, paid to the top 45 and ties. The top 20 and ties will earn 2024 LPGA status for 2024 in Category 14. Players finishing 21-45 will earn LPGA status in Category 15 and Epson Tour status in Category C.
Grant Thornton Invitational
Dates: Dec. 8 – 10
Golf course: Tiburon Golf Club
Location: Naples, Florida
Format: Scramble, foursomes, then modified best ball.
Inaugural event.
Just two weeks after the LPGA season ender, Tiburon hosts the first Grant Thornton Invitational, a mixed-team event with some serious star power. There are 32 players on 16 two-player teams comepeting for a $4 million purse.
TV info
Day 1, Golf Channel, 1 to 4 p.m. ET
Day 2, Golf Channel, 2 to 3 p.m. ET: NBC, 3 to 5 p.m. ET
Day 3, Golf Channel, 1 to 2 p.m., ET; NBC, 2 to 4 p.m. ET
World Champions Cup
Dates: Dec. 7 – 10
Golf course: The Concession Golf Club
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Inaugural event.
The World Champions Cup is collection of some of the top names on the PGA Tour Champions in a first-of-its-kind tournament. There will be three teams – Team International, Team Europe and Team USA – competing in a three-day stroke-play tournament. Each match will be nine holes. Teams get a point for each hole they won. After three days, the team with the most points wins.
TV info
Day 1, ESPN+, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET; ESPN, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Day 2, ESPN+, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET; ESPN, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Day 3, ESPN+, 12 to 2 p.m. ET (pro-am)
Day 4, ESPN+, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET
LIV Golf Promotions
Dates: Dec. 8 – 10
Golf course: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Inaugural event.
The first LIV Golf Promotions event will see three players earn a spot on a team for the 2024 LIV Golf season. Four rounds will be played over the three days, with 36 holes on the final day. The purse is $1.5 million and players must pay a “nominal” entry fee (when LIV opened entries for its first event in London in 2022, “Tiger Woods” entered 216 times).
TV info
LIV’s various broadcast partners around the world will offer coverage, but in the U.S. those interested will need to stream on LIV Golf Plus or the LIV Golf YouTube channel. Friday and Saturday’s action will take place 4 to 8 a.m. ET, with the final round on Sunday going from 4:30 to 9 a.m. ET.
PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament final stage
Dates: Dec. 5 to 8
Golf course: TPC Scottsdale Champions course
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Defending champ: Richard Green
For those without a serious resume from their PGA Tour playing days, the Champions tour is considered to be the most difficult pro tour to break into. The Champions course will host 78 players in four rounds. When it’s all said and done, five players will earn their 2024 tour cards.
PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry
Dates: Dec. 14 – 17
Golf courses: TPC Sawgrass (Dye’s Valley Course) and Sawgrass Country Club (East/West)
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
The PGA Tour is returning to a calendar-based schedule in 2024. But that’s not all that’s different, as Q school has returned. There have been pre-qualifying, first stage and second stage events so far. There are two more second stage events Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. The three-day final stage will be the last hoorah for some, as only the top five and ties will earn their PGA Tour cards for 2024.
PNC Championship
Dates: Dec. 15 – 17
Golf course: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
Location: Orlando
This has become one of the most fun events on the golf calender. What started out as the Father-Son Challenge has truly evolved into a tournament for all. OK, not all, as you must have won a major championship or the Players Championship to be eligible. Those champions can then bring a dad, a mom, a son or daughter. This as become a can’t-miss for many pro golfers and fans alike. And even better: Tiger Woods and son Charlie have committed for a fourth go-round.
TV info
Day 1, Golf Channel, 12 to 2:30 p.m., ET. (pro-am)
Day 2, NBC, 2:30 to 6 p.m. ET
Day 3, Golf Channel, 12 to 1:30 p.m. ET; NBC, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET
