Steve Stricker's PGA Tour Champions event has a new golf course and new team format

USA Today

13 hours ago

Steve Stricker's PGA Tour Champions event has a new golf course and new team format
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Drone view of Erin Hills Golf, the site of the 2025 U.S. Women's Open
Check out a drone view of Erin Hills Golf Course, the site of the 2025 U.S. Women's Open May 29-June 1
Wisconsin might not have any more major tournaments on the horizon after the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills, but there is still some high-level golf coming to the state.
That includes the American Family Insurance Championship, the annual stop on the PGA Tour Champions circuit hosted by state legend Steve Stricker, which runs this weekend in Madison.
But there is a lot different about the tournament this year. Here's what to know:
When is the 2025 AmFam Championship?
June 6-8.
What course is hosting the AmFam Championship?
Here's a big change. After being at University Ridge for its first eight years, the tournament is moving to TPC Wisconsin, a course that was co-designed by Stricker.
What is the format this year?
Also a big change. For the first time in a Champions tour event, there will be a team format. The field has 38 two-man teams. Friday and Sunday will be a best-ball competitio
s, switching to a scramble in the second round on Saturday.
Are Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker playing again this year?
You betcha. The two most prominent pro golfers from Wisconsin are in the field, but they aren't paired together. Kelly will play with Justin Leonard, while Stricker's partner is brother-in-law Mario Tiziani.
Who's leading the 2025 AmFam Championship?
The duo of Thomas Bjorn and Darren Clarke teamed up for a12-under 59 on Friday and lead by two over the Aussie duo of Richard Green and Mark Hensby.
Stricker and Tiziani are tied for ninth after a 7-under 64.
What is the prize money?
The purse is $3 million. The winning team will share $600,000.
Will the tournament be on TV?
Yes, the Golf Channel will broadcast all three rounds, though on tape delay in the evenings.
June 6: 6-8 p.m.
6-8 p.m. June 7: 7-9 p.m.
7-9 p.m. June 8: 7-9 p.m.
Who are the other famous golfers? John Daly? Ernie Els? Fred Couples?
Yes, perennial crowd favorite John Daly will be in Madison.
Els and Couples will be, too. They are among five former No. 1 golfers in the world in the field, along with Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh and David Duval.
Has Steve Stricker ever won his own event?
Yes, after several near-misses, Stricker broke through in 2023. Kelly won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2021 (there was no 2020 event because of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Els won last year in a thrilling playoff with Stricker. Other past winners include Thongchai Jaidee (2022), Scott McCarron (2018), Couples (2017) and Kirk Triplett (2016).
Who is in the celebrity foursome this year?
Two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North will be joined in the annual celebrity foursome by Hall of Famer and former Green Bay Packers great Charles Woodson, two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion Mia Hamm and 2020 NFL rookie of the year Justin Herbert, quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The quartet will play a nine-hole exhibition beginning about 2 p.m. on Satuday off the first tee following the final groups of the PGA Tour Champions