The Sanderson Farms Championship is set to begin on Thursday, and the tee times for the first round have been released. A number of big names will be in action on Thursday, including defending champion Sam Burns, Will Zalatoris, and Sepp Straka.
- Round 1 Pairings for the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship
Two-time major champion Zach Johnson headlines the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship field and will be grouped with two-time winner Ryan Palmer and last month’s Fortinet Championship runner-up Sepp Straka for the opening two rounds at Country Club of Jackson.
Another notable group sees defending champion Seamus Power will join 2016 winner Cody Gribble and Robert Streb for the opening 36 holes.
Cameron Young, ranked 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking and winless on the PGA TOUR, will be paired with Russell Henley and Adam Svensson for the opening two rounds.
Will Zalatoris, who is returning from a back injury that forced him to miss the FedExCup Playoffs, will tee off alongside Sepp Straka and Sahith Theegala.
First-round tee times
8:00 a.m.
Cristian Tavares, Kevin Streelman, Eric Cole
8:10 a.m.
Alex Smalley, Haotong Li, Jonathan Byrd
8:20 a.m.
J.T. Poston, Lucas Glover, Aaron Wise
8:30 a.m.
Taylor Montgomery, Davis Riley, Callum Tarren
8:40 a.m.
Matt Wallace, Kurt Kitayama, Alex Noren
8:50 a.m.
Kevin Kisner, Chris Kirk, Shane Lowry
9:00 a.m.
Seamus Power, Cody Gribble, Robert Streb
9:10 a.m.
Russell Henley, Adam Svensson, Cameron Young
9:20 a.m.
Tom Hoge, Taylor Pendrith, Mito Pereira
9:30 a.m.
Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, Sepp Straka
9:40 a.m.
Will Zalatoris, Sepp Straka, Sahith Theegala
9:50 a.m.
Davis Love III, John Huh, Harry Higgs
10:00 a.m.
Matt Kuchar, Harris English, Luke List
10:10 a.m.
Patton Kizzire, Mark Hubbard, Cameron Tringale
10:20 a.m.
Lanto Griffin, Kevin Na, Denny McCarthy
10:30 a.m.
Harris English, Luke List, Matt Kuchar
– Tee Time Schedule and Key Matchups for Thursdays Round
Thursday’s first round of the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship will feature a number of intriguing matchups. Here’s a look at the tee times and some of the key pairings to watch:
8:00 AM
- Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler
- Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm
- Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay
8:10 AM
- Collin Morikawa and Cameron Smith
- Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama
- Will Zalatoris and Tommy Fleetwood
8:20 AM
- Tony Finau and Max Homa
- Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood
- Jason Kokrak and Billy Horschel
| Tee Times for Thursday’s Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Viktor Hovland, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm |
| 8:10 AM | Collin Morikawa, Cameron Smith, Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama |
| 8:20 AM | Tony Finau, Max Homa, Shane Lowry, Lee Westwood |
– Contenders to Watch: Emerging Stars and Seasoned Veterans
Contenders to Watch: Emerging Stars and Seasoned Veterans
As the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship tees off on Thursday, several emerging stars and seasoned veterans will vie for the title at the Country Club of Jackson. Here are a few players to keep an eye on:
Rising Stars
Michael Thorbjornsen: The 25-year-old Norwegian has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning his maiden PGA TOUR title at the Barbasol Championship. His long-hitting prowess and accurate approach shots make him a formidable threat at Jackson.
Sahith Theegala: The 24-year-old American has also impressed this year, with multiple top-10 finishes. Known for his exceptional ball-striking and aggressive style of play, Theegala could emerge as a contender this week.
Seasoned Veterans
Tom Hoge: The 34-year-old American has been a consistent performer on TOUR for several years. His steady ball-striking and strong short game make him a dangerous opponent on any course.
Jim Herman: The 45-year-old American is a two-time PGA TOUR winner with a reputation for excelling in clutch situations. His precision and experience could prove valuable at the Country Club of Jackson.
| Player | World Ranking | Recent Form |
|—|—|—|
| Michael Thorbjornsen | 62 | T12 |
| Sahith Theegala | 53 | T6 |
| Tom Hoge | 34 | T21 |
| Jim Herman | 102 | T15 |
– Course Layout and Strategic Considerations for the Opening Day
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With an abundance of water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens, the course layout presents a formidable challenge for players on opening day. Fairways are generous, but accuracy off the tee is crucial to avoid the trouble lurking in the rough and water features. Approaches to the greens require precision to avoid the penalizing bunkers that guard these well-defended targets.
The par-3 17th hole is a particular test, with a narrow tee shot over water to a small, elevated green. Players will need to make calculated decisions on their club selection and trajectory to find the target safely. The par-5 2nd hole offers a birdie opportunity with a well-placed drive, but the approach must be precise to reach the green in two and avoid the water hazard surrounding it.
For players with a strong tee game, the par-4 15th hole presents an opportunity to gain an advantage. A long drive down the fairway can leave a short approach to the green, setting up a birdie chance. However, the rough and water hazards that line the fairway can punish wayward tee shots.
Understanding these strategic considerations will be pivotal for players seeking to navigate the course effectively and position themselves for a strong start on opening day.
Those are the tee times for Thursday’s first round of the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship. The tournament begins at 7:45 a.m. CT at The Country Club of Jackson.
