Virginia Golfer Jan / Feb 2018 | Page 22

TPC Scottsdale Jan. 11-14: Sony Open in Hawaii | Waialae CC | Honolulu | 500 | Justin Thomas Jan. 18-21: Career Builder Challenge | Stadium Course | La Quinta, Calif. | 500 | Hudson Swafford Jan. 25-28: Farmers Insurance Open | Torrey Pines (South) | San Diego, Calif. | 500 | Jon Rahm ›› The U.S. Open makes a return trip to Torrey Pines in 2021. Nov. 16-19: The RSM Classic | Sea Island Resort (Seaside) | Sea Island, Ga. | 500 | Austin Cook Oct. 5-8: Safeway Open | Silverado Resort and Spa North | Napa, Calif. | 500 | Brendan Steele Nov. 30-Dec. 3: Hero World Challenge | Albany | New Providence, Bahamas | None (unofficial event) | Rickie Fowler Oct. 12-15: CIMB Classic | TPC Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 500 | Pat Perez Dec. 8-10: QBE Shootout | Tiburon GC | Naples, Fla. | None (unofficial event) | Steve Stricker and Sean O’Hair Oct. 19-22: The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges | Nine Bridges | Jeju Island, South Korea | 500 | Justin Thomas Jan. 4-7: Sentry Tournament of Champions | Plantation Course at Kapalua | Kapalua, Hawaii | 500 | Justin Thomas ›› The advent of the wraparound sched- ule means Kapalua is no longer the first event on the PGA Tour schedule. The diehards may still keep up with the Tour during the fall stretch, but to the casual viewer on the East Coast, the two-event Hawaii swing remains a beacon of the new season. Nothing better than tuning in on a cold Virginia night to see clear blue skies, warm breezes and waves crashing on the shore. Oh, and the golf is pretty good too. The champions of 2017 gather for a no-cut event that usually features plenty of birdies. Thomas won last year’s event at 22 under par. Oct. 26-29: Sanderson Farms Champi- onship | CC of Jackson | Jackson, Miss. | 300 | Ryan Armour Oct. 26-29: WGC-HSBC Champions | Sheshan International GC | Shanghai, China | 550 | Justin Rose Nov. 2-5: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open | TPC Summerlin | Las Vegas, Nev. | 500 | Patrick Cantlay Nov. 9-12: OHL Classic at Mayakoba | El Camaleon GC | Playa del Carmen, Mexico | 500 | Patton Kizzire 20 V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 8 Feb. 8-11: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Pebble Beach GL | Pebble Beach, Calif. | 500 | Jordan Spieth Feb. 15-18: Genesis Open | Riviera CC | Pacific Palisades, Calif. | 500 | Dustin Johnson Feb. 22-25: The Honda Classic | PGA National (Champion) | Palm Beach Gar- dens, Fla. | 500 | Rickie Fowler March 1-4: Puerto Rico Open | Coco Beach G&CC | Rio Grande, Puerto Rico | 300 | D.A. Points March 1-4: WGC-Mexico Champi- onship | Club de Golf Chapultepec | Mexico City | 550 | Dustin Johnson ›› Long hitters plus altitude equals ridic- ulous drives and fun viewing. At 7,382 feet, Mexico City is the Tour’s highest stop, and you can expect big hitters like defending champion Dustin Johnson to punish the ball in the city’s thin air. Strangely enough, Johnson’s longest vsga.org Dates | Tournament | Course | Location | FedEx Cup Points | Defending Champion Feb. 1-4: Waste Management Open | TPC Scottsdale | Scottsdale, Ariz. | 500 | Hideki Matsuyama ›› For a mid-winter event, the Tour’s annual Phoenix-area stop just feels big- ger than most, and not just because of the rollicking nature of the gallery. Skip the Super Bowl pregame shows and catch the action here instead.