KA‘UPULEHU-KONA — Another PGA Tour Champions season is set to begin later this week, and what better way to kick it off than on the charming Big Island?
Forty-two professionals aged 50 and above will compete in the 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Championship from Thursday through Saturday at Hualalai Golf Course — embarking on a beautiful 54-hole journey in hopes of claiming part of the $2 million purse.
“Each year, we look forward to kicking off the PGA Tour Champions season and cannot wait to welcome these established players to the one-of-a-kind Hualalai Golf Course,” Tournament Manager Kelly Fliear said. “Our event will showcase Hualalai and the Island of Hawaii to television viewers around the world.”
Notable competitors
Historically, the tournament’s competitors consist of recent senior major champions, outside tournament winners and a handful of invited sponsors. The three-day event began on the island in 1997 after it was previously played in Carlsbad, California, and Puerto Rico from 1984-1995.
This year’s tournament will feature a plethora of returners, including last year’s champion and defending Charles Schwab Cup winner Steve Stricker, who posted a -23 through three rounds in 2023 — winning by six strokes. The then-55-year-old’s performance sparked a record-setting 2023 season, in which Stricker won six total outings. Collectively, his near $4 million in prize money set a Champions Tour record.
“His six victories also included three Majors in one of the most dominant seasons ever witnessed,” Fliear said of Stricker.
2022 champion Miguel Angel Jiménez from Spain, who additionally won at Hualalai in 2020 and 2015, will also be returning to the Big Island to compete. 2021 winner Darren Clarke, 2019 winner Tom Lehman and 2018 winner Jerry Kelly will also be on the course.
“They continue to amaze crowds with their shotmaking skills,” Fliear said of the returning stars. “Most of all, the manner in which they interact with our sponsors, pro-am guests and fans … they really enjoy what they do.”
In addition to the tournament’s past stars, some outside familiar faces will be playing on the Kona proper for the first time. 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink, who joined the Champions Tour last season once he turned 50, will be in the field. Ken Duke, Harrison Frazar and Mark Hensby — who all collected their first Champions wins in 2023 — will also be at Hualalai.
Six World Golf Hall of Fame members will additionally be on the island competing.
“We are excited to have Stewart, Mark, Ken and Harrison experience this incredible place for the first time and add their names to the illustrious list of those who have played in this event,” Fliear added.
Information
Viewers can watch the three-day tournament live on the NBC Golf Channel from 2-5 p.m. each round. Those interested in watching the professionals compete in-person are invited to purchase a $50 three-day pass or $30 day pass. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate.
Supporting charities for the week include the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation, Big Island Junior Golf, Daniel R. Sayre Foundation and Pua ka ‘llima Historical Park.
“Since 1997, the tournament has donated over $2 million to local nonprofits,” Fliear said. “In addition, nearly 400 volunteers participate each year, dedicating their time and sharing their aloha with our participants and fans.”
Field
The official complete tournament field can be found below:
Steven Alker
Stephen Ames
Billy Andrade
Paul Broadhurst
Olin Browne
Alex Cejka
K.J. Choi
Stewart Cink
Darren Clarke
Fred Couples
Marco Dawson
Stephen Dodd
Ken Duke
Joe Durant
David Duval
Ernie Els
Steve Flesch
Harrison Frazar
Jay Haas
Mark Hensby
Thongchai Jaidee
Lee Janzen
Miguel Angel Jiménez
Jerry Kelly
Bernhard Langer
Tom Lehman
Justin Leonard
Scott McCarron
Rocco Mediate
Colin Montgomerie
Mark O’Meara
Rod Pampling
Scott Parel
Corey Pavin
Dicky Pride
Brett Quigley
Vijay Singh
Jeff Sluman
Steve Stricker
Ken Tanigawa
David Toms
Mike Weir