This week has seen significant changes to the lineup for the ISCO Championship on the PGA Tour, which is set to begin on Thursday at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Last year, Harry Hall secured his inaugural PGA Tour title at this venue after a tense five-man playoff; however, he will not be defending his title as he competes in the Genesis Scottish Open instead.
A number of players withdrew over the weekend, including Harrison Endycott, Joost Luiten, Richie Ramsay, Henrik Norlander, Marcel Schneider, Richy Werenski, and Camilo Villegas. In their places, the championship has welcomed 12 new players from the DP World Tour, such as Bjorn Akesson, Alexander Levy, and Ryan van Velzen, among others.
Additionally, Sean O’Hair, Dylan Wu, and Fabian Gomez have been added to the field, which also features eight sponsor’s exemptions. Notably, the lineup includes promising young talents like Miles Russell and Jackson Koivun. Russell, at just 15 years old, made headlines by making the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour and winning the Sage Valley Junior Invitational this year. Koivun, who ranks first in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is also making waves in the golf community and has deferred his PGA Tour card until next year following a solid T11 finish at the John Deere Classic.
Michael Thorbjornsen, a former Stanford player, has emerged as the current betting favorite for the championship. The ISCO Championship faces strong competition from the Scottish Open, which boasts several top players from around the world, but its lineup offers a unique blend of both PGA and DP World Tour talents, creating exciting possibilities.
William McGirt stands as the first alternate should any further withdrawals occur before the tournament begins. The championship has a substantial prize pool of $4 million, with the winner set to receive $720,000.
This mix of seasoned players and emerging stars presents a thrilling dynamic for golf fans, showcasing the depth and diversity of talent within the sport.