Sanderson Farms Championship: Pro-Am day wraps as Round 1 tee times set in Jackson

Why this one matters

Following the team glory of the Presidents Cup at Medinah, professional golf shifted its focus on Wednesday to the unforgiving reality of tour survival. Under cloudless autumn skies in Jackson, Mississippi, the official Pro-Am wrapped at the Country Club of Jackson, locking in groupings and tee times for Thursday’s Round 1 of the Sanderson Farms Championship.

This event marks the beginning of the FedExCup Fall, where the stakes are visceral. Players ranked outside the top 50 are battling for crucial points to secure their top-125 cards for the 2027 PGA Tour season. For those in the field, this week is not about exhibition: it is about playing privileges, exemptions into major championships, and financial security.

Yu and Hughes headline Thursday morning wave

Defending champion Kevin Yu enters the week with fond memories of his dramatic playoff victory here in 2024. The 27-year-old begins his title defense on Thursday morning at 7:45 a.m. CT off the first tee, grouped with 2016 champion Mackenzie Hughes and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo.

The Country Club of Jackson layout measures 7,461 yards and demands surgical iron play into slick bermudagrass greens. Afternoon groupings feature Rickie Fowler alongside former Jackson champion Sam Burns and Davis Riley at 12:55 p.m. CT. With calm winds forecast for Thursday, low scores will be required from the opening round to maintain pace with the leaders.

The numbers that tell the story

• Event: Sanderson Farms Championship Round 1.
• Venue: Country Club of Jackson, Mississippi (Par 72, 7,461 yards).
• Prize & Points: 500 FedExCup points and a two-year PGA Tour exemption to the winner.
• Featured morning tee time: Kevin Yu, Mackenzie Hughes, Emiliano Grillo (7:45 a.m. CT, Tee 1).
• Featured afternoon tee time: Rickie Fowler, Sam Burns, Davis Riley (12:55 p.m. CT, Tee 10).