PGA’s Wyndham Championship begins Thursday: key players, event details for NC golf fans

The Wyndham Championship, the final PGA tournament of the 2024 FedExCup regular season, begins this week at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro with first-round play scheduled to start Thursday.

The event attracts top players vying for playoff spots and to improve their rankings, impacting both FedExCup standings and Presidents Cup selections. This year’s field is headlined by Jordan Spieth, Sungjae Im, Shane Lowry, and local talent Akshay Bhatia of Wake Forest.

The critical number is 70, as the tournament sets the 70-player field for the playoffs beginning with the FedEx St. Jude Championship later this month. Players like Emiliano Grillo, Victor Perez, and Brendon Todd are on the bubble, while reigning champion Lucas Glover, ranked 76th, needs a strong performance this week to advance.

Who are the local guys to watch?

Will Zalatoris: Zalatoris was born in San Francisco but attended Wake Forest University. The former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, speaking to the media on Tuesday, expressed confidence heading into play in Greensboro. He attributed his positive state to recent improvements after a challenging year with back issues.

In late June, Zalatoris withdrew from the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic hosted in Detroit during the third round due to a back injury.

“I feel great,” Zalatoris said on Tuesday. “I think we really figured out some stuff after Detroit... my speed with my longer clubs are back to what they were back in 2022, which is huge for me.”

Akshay Bhatia: The 22-year-old expressed disappointment after finishing tied for 16th in his second U.S. Open, despite it being his best major finish so far. The left-hander from Wake Forest had high expectations for his performance on the challenging No. 2 course at Pinehurst.

“There’s a bitter taste in my mouth from how I played,” Bhatia said at the time.

Bhatia turned pro at 17 and didn’t play college golf. Bhatia achieved a PGA Tour win earlier this year at the 2024 Valero Texas Open, which qualified him for both the Masters and the PGA Championship. At the Wyndham, he will aim to improve his performance and bolster his resume for the U.S. Presidents Cup team.

J.T. Poston: Poston, a native of Hickory and a Western Carolina University alum, enters the Wyndham ranked 34th in the FedExCup standings.

The 2019 Wyndham champion will look to improve upon his seventh-place finish in 2023’s tournament, as well as improve his chances of finishing in the top 30 to secure a spot in the Tour Championship at East Lake.

Webb Simpson: The Raleigh native placed fifth at the 2023 Wyndham Championship and has a strong history in the event. Simpson has averaged a score of 17-under and a fourth-place finish over his last seven appearances.

Despite recent struggles — the Wake Forest alum has an average finish of 41st in his last five events — his local experience may help him succeed. Simpson enters Greensboro ranked 149th in the FedExCup standings.

Cameron Young: The 27-year-old Wake Forest alum, who boasts the highest world ranking on this list at 24th, is making his first appearance at the Wyndham.

Young hasn’t won any tournaments this season but has two top-five and six top-10 finishes. The former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year has recorded two top-10 finishes in his last five events and has maintained an average score of even-par. If Young can shore up his putting, he could make a solid run in Greensboro.

I’d like to attend the Wyndham Championship. What should I know?

Event Dates and Times: The first round of tournament play is scheduled to begin Thursday. But since Tropical Storm Debby is forecast to dump heavy rain on central N.C., delays appear likely. Gates are scheduled to open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and hospitality open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This schedule continues on Friday for the second round, and Saturday for the third round, with gates opening at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The final round on Sunday follows the same timing as Saturday, with the presentation of the Sam Snead Cup taking place at approximately 6 p.m. at the 18th green.

See the official schedule of events here.

Tickets: All tickets and parking passes for the Wyndham Championship are digital and must be purchased online in advance. Sales are final with no refunds. Tickets can’t be replaced if lost.

Children 15 and under are admitted free with grounds access if accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Purchase tickets here.

Parking and Transportation: Parking for the tournament includes two public lots: the North Lot at Greensboro Coliseum and the South Lot at GTCC Jamestown Campus. Both offer continuous shuttles to Sedgefield Country Club. Parking costs $15 and may be paid in credit card only.

VIP and handicap parking is located at American Furniture Warehouse. Ride shares can drop off and pick up at E. and W. Sedgefield Drive.

Fans must enter the tournament through the main entrance at Forsyth Drive and Wayne Road or one of five satellite entrances:

• Donnington Court and Wayne Road

• County Clare Road and Wayne Road

• Wayne Road and Anson Road

• Rockingham Road and Gaston Road

• Anson Road and Rockingham Road

More information regarding parking can be found here.