PGA Tour Returns to Austin in November

The PGA Tour will host its first event in Austin since 2023, kicking off the inaugural Austin Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa on Nov. 9. The tournament runs through Nov. 15, with public play beginning Nov. 12.

One hundred and twenty golfers will compete for a total purse of $6 million and 500 FedExCup points. The event serves as part of the FedExCup Fall series, which determines player eligibility for the 2027 PGA Tour season. A final field list becomes available to the public on Nov. 6.

Local players are featured in the lineup, including Austin native Cole Sherwood. Former University of Texas golfers Christian Maas and Tommy Morrison are also participating. The competition will air on Golf Channel, ESPN+, SiriusXM, and the World Feed.

HNS Sports Group manages the tournament on the newly renovated Fazio Canyons Course. Ian Helm, the tournament director, stated that the venue was selected for its on-site amenities and proximity to the course. He noted that the market was eager to see PGA events return after the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play concluded in 2023.

The Austin Sports Commission anticipates the event will boost the local economy during a typically slower month. Nathan Kopp, the commission's executive director, said November is light on special events aside from University of Texas football games. He expects the tournament to drive revenue through lodging, food and beverage sales, and increased tourism.

During the Match Play events from 2021 to 2023, the PGA Tour generated between $12 million and $14 million in direct spending annually. That revenue included $2.5 million in lodging and $2 million in food and beverage sales. The events also brought 5,000 overnight hotel guests to the city each year.

Kopp described the national broadcast as a promotional tool for the city. He said television coverage shows viewers a different side of Austin compared to urban events at the Moody Center. This exposure could lead to higher visitation rates in the future.

The tournament was originally named the Good Good Championship. It was renamed in August after a controversial advertisement involving the brand sparked public backlash. Good Good Golf CEO Matt Kendrick said the organization is focusing on learning from the situation. The PGA Tour is currently seeking a lead sponsor to ensure the event returns annually.

Local charities will benefit from the competition. Play Yellow, a fundraising program for Children’s Miracle Network, is the primary beneficiary. Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to families of service members, is the secondary beneficiary. Fans are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Friday and yellow on Sunday in support of these causes.

General admission tickets cost between $80 and $100 per day. Children 12 and under enter free with a ticketed adult, limited to two children per adult. The course is closed to the public for practice and pro-am events from Nov. 9 to 11. Gates open at 7 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.