Course Guide: The Championship Course at Hurstbourne Country Club is a new stop-off for the PGA Tour. This venue over the years has seen early stage U.S. Open Local Qualifying, Kentucky Open and Kentucky Amateur action. The course is a 7,056 yard, Par 70, with 2 par-5s, but with hot and humid weather conditions, where the ball really flies, I’d expect high-teens under par winning this come Sunday.
Hurstbourne Country Club – Championship Course, Louisville, Kentucky: Designer: Chic Adams 1967, with Keith R. Foster 2023 and 2024; Course Type: Parkland, Classical, Short; Par: 70; Length: 7,056 yards; Number of Holes with Water In-Play: 6; Number of Sand Bunkers: 68; Acres of Fairway: 25; Fairways: Meyer Zoysiagrass; Rough: Kentucky Bluegrass with Fine Fescue 4-6″; Greens: 4,750 sq.ft average featuring A1/A4 Bentgrass; Stimpmeter: 11ft.
Fairway Widths (yards): Below are the fairway widths for Hurstbourne Country Club and how they compare to recent courses that we’ve seen on Tour:
- Hurstbourne CC: 25-30 yards at 300 yards.
- TPC Deere Run: 250 yards from tee: 41 yards wide; 275:40; 300:36 325:33; 350:30.
- Detroit Golf Club: 250 yards from tee: 34 yards wide; 275:34; 300:35 325:34; 350:33.
- TPC River Highlands: 250 yards from the tee: 38 yards wide; 275:36; 300:29; 325:29; 350:28.
- Oakmont: 18-28 yards at 300 yards
- TPC Toronto: 35-37 yards at 300 yards.
- Muirfield Village: 24-25 yards at 300 yards.
- Colonial: 25-30 yards at 300 yards.
- Quail Hollow: 28-30 yards at 300 yards.
- The Dunes Golf and Beach Club: 20 – 25 yards at 300 yards.
- Philadelphia Cricket Club: 30-32 yards at 300 yards.
- TPC Craig Ranch: 30 – 40 yards at 300 yards.
- Harbour Town: 250 yards from tee: 29 yards wide; 275:26; 300:22; 325:26; 350:22.
- Oaks Course: 250 yards from tee: 33 yards wide; 275:34; 300:29; 325:27; 350:26.
- Memorial Park: 30 – 40 yards at 300 yards.
- Copperhead: 250 yards from the tee: 24 yards wide; 275:20; 300:21; 325:23 350:19.
- TPC Sawgrass: 250 yards from the tee: 31 yards wide; 275:32; 300:30; 325:28 350:20.
- Bay Hill: 250 yards from the tee: 32 yards wide; 275:33; 300:33; 325:39 350:29.
- PGA National: 250 yards from the tee: 29 yards wide; 275:27; 300:25; 325:27 350:25.
- TPC Scottsdale: 250 yards from the tee: 33 yards wide; 275:30; 300:28; 325:27; 350:27.
- Pebble Beach: 250 yards from the tee: 33 yards wide; 275:33; 300:29; 325:30 350:26.
- Torrey Pines South: 250 yards from the tee: 26 yards wide; 275:27; 300:25; 325:24; 350:23.
- Pete Dye Stadium: 250 yards from the tee: 29 yards wide; 275:27; 300:26; 325:26; 350:24.
- Waialae: 250 yards from the tee: 34 yards wide; 275:32; 300:34; 325:37; 350:34.
- Plantation Course: 250 yards from the tee: 59 yards wide; 275:61; 300:65; 325:60; 350:62.
Course Overview: The Championship Course at Hurstbourne qualifies as a classical-style course, although it was originally built in 1967. Designer Chic Adams’ work leaned toward Golden Age principles, so think of Hurstbourne as a tree-lined, relatively modern take on classical architecture. In recent times the course was renovated by Keith Foster, a renowned architect known for restoring Golden Age courses, i.e. PGA Tour stalwart Colonial Country Club and recent Truist Championship stop-off Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Foster re-shaped bunkers to emphasise strategy and aesthetics, removed excess trees to restore original sightlines and wind corridors, widened fairways to allow varied shot-making angle, plus improved green complexes whilst preserving traditional character.
As a 7,056 yard, Par 70, this is not a long course. With front and back Nines reversed for the PGA Tour, the Championship Course is thought of as a strategic, well-balanced test of golf, rewarding players who think their way around rather than simply overpowering it. We shall see!
Fairways are tree-lined but not overly narrow, whilst many holes encourage shot-shaping. The green complexes are described as the main defence of the course. Large, contoured and fast during tournaments. Multiple tiers and subtle ridges make lag putting tough. Short-sided misses around the green are punished via false fronts, run-off areas and deep sand traps.
With extreme Kentucky summer temperatures, Zoysiagrass also features here on the fairways. On the PGA Tour Zoysiagrass fairways also feature at TPC Southwind (FedEx St Jude Championship), East Lake (Tour Championship), Narashino CC (ZOZO Championship), Port Royal Golf Course (Bermuda Championship) plus CJ Cup Byron Nelson current venue TPC Craig Ranch plus with previous host venue Trinity Forest, which was planted from tee to green with Zoysiagrass. These fairways also featured at the Atlanta Athletic Club (2011 PGA Championship; Bellerive Country Club (2018 PGA Championship) and Valhalla (May’s PGA Championship). Zoysia isn’t the most popular of fairway grasses with many players who claim the quirky grass promotes flyers.
ISCO Championship Winners: Hosted at Keene Trace: 2024: Harry Hall (-22); 2023: Vincent Norrman (-22); 2022: Trey Mullinax (-25); 2021: Seamus Power (-21); 2019: Jim Herman (-26); 2018: Troy Merritt (-23); Hosted at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail: 2017: Grayson Murray (-21); 2016: Aaron Baddeley (-18); 2015: Scott Piercy (-19).
- 2024: Harry Hall 66-67-64-69 -22/266 AM/PM Wave
- 2023: Vincent Norrman 66-67-65-62 -22/266 PM/AM Wave
- 2022: Trey Mullinax 65-65-67-66 -25/263 AM/PM Wave
- 2021: Seamus Power 65-68-67-67 -21/267 PM/AM Wave
- 2019: Jim Herman 65-65-62-70 -26/262 PM/AM Wave
- 2018: Troy Merritt 62-67-69-67 -23/265 PM/AM Wave
OWGR of ISCO Championship Winners: 2024: Hall 188: 2023: Norrman 286; 2022: Mullinax 370; 2021: Power 210; 2019: Herman 1252; 2018: Merritt 327.
Cut Line: 2024: -8; 2023: -4; 2022: -5; 2021: -4; 2019: -4; 2018: -4.
Lead Score Progression:
- 2024: Round 1 -11; Round 2 -16; Round 3 -20; Round 4 -22.
- 2023: Round 1 -9; Round 2 -13; Round 3 -17; Round 4 -22.
- 2022: Round 1 -10; Round 2 -16; Round 3 -22; Round 4 -25.
- 2021: Round 1 -8; Round 2 -13; Round 3 -19; Round 4 -21.
- 2019: Round 1 -10; Round 2 -14; Round 3 -24; Round 4 -26.
- 2018: Round 1 -10; Round 2 -15; Round 3 -18; Round 4 -23.
Incoming Form of ISCO Championship winners since 2018:
- Harry Hall: 12th JDC/31st Rocket/42nd Canada/MC Colonial.
- Vincent Norrman: 24th Rocket/MC Travelers/MC US Open/MC Canada.
- Trey Mullinax: MC JDC/MC Travelers/69th Canada/MC Colonial.
- Seamus Power: 8th JDC/8th Rocket/19th Travelers/19th Palmetto.
- Jim Herman: MC JDC/MC Rocket /MDF Travelers/MC Canada.
- Troy Merritt: 43rd JDC/17th Quicken/MC Travelers/12th St Jude.
Tournament Stats: We’ve published some key player statistics for this week’s event that are well worth a look. Naturally they’ll help to shape a view on players who could go well this week: Current Form | Tournament Form | First Round Leader | Combined Stats.
My published predictor is available here. Top 10 of my published predictor are: 1) Emiliano Grillo; 2) Davis Bryant; 3) Kevin Roy; 4) Jackson Suber; 5) Rafa Cabrera-Bello; 6) Taylor Montgomery; 7) Cameron Champ; 8) Kazumi Kobori; 9) Sam Ryder; 10) Scott Piercy.
ISCO Championship Winning Prices: 2024: Hall 60/1; 2023: Norrman 28/1; 2022: Mullinax 150/1; 2021: Power 20/1; 2019: Herman 500/1; 2018: Merritt 55/1; 2017: Murray 66/1; 2016: Baddeley 55/1; 2015: Piercy 25/1. Past 5 Renewals Average: 152/1; Average: 107/1.
Latest weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky is here.
Temperatures around the 28-34 degrees Celsius (82-93 Fahrenheit) mark will greet the players with little wind. Chances of thunderstorms Tuesday evening and showers Wednesday Pro-Am morning are at 50% – so there’s the potential for soft turf conditions Thursday at the very least, which will only aid the low scoring.
Player Strokes Gained Rankings: These top 25 in the field rankings are based on an 8-tournament window that stretches back to the PGA Championship which includes both PGA Tour and DP World Tour events, where recorded. Player rankings are based on performance relative to the rest of the field:
- Top 25 SG Off The Tee: 1) Cameron Champ; 2) Michael Thorbjornsen; 3) Rico Hoey; 4) Luke List; 5) William Mouw; 6) Thomas Rosenmueller; 7) Emiliano Grillo; 8) Trevor Cone / Patrick Fishburn; 10) Sam Ryder; 11) Kevin Roy; 12) Ricky Castillo; 13) Steven Fisk / Kris Ventura; 15) Matthew Riedel; 16) Vince Whaley; 17) Rafael Campos / Callum Tarren; 19) Ryan Brehm; 20) Will Gordon; 21) Mark Hubbard / Hayden Springer; 23) Greyson Sigg; 24) Joseph Bramlett; 25) Scott Piercy.
- Top 25 SG Approach: 1) Martin Laird; 2) Kevin Roy; 3) Ben Kohles; 4) Paul Peterson; 5) Michael Thorbjornsen; 6) Thomas Rosenmueller; 7) Harry Higgs; 8) David Lipsky / Jeremy Paul; 10) Mac Meissner / John Pak / Jackson Suber / Adam Svensson / Kris Ventura; 15) Emiliano Grillo / Seamus Power; 17) Nick Hardy / David Skinns; 19) Dylan Wu; 20) Andrea Pavan; 21) Cameron Champ / William Mouw; 23) Vincent Whaley; 24) Zac Blair; 25) Taylor Montgomery.
- Top 25 SG Around The Green: 1) Scott Piercy; 2) Patton Kizzire; 3) Erik Barnes; 4) Zac Blair / Ben Martin; 6) Vince Whaley; 7) Beau Hossler; 8) James Hahn; 9) Kevin Chappell; 10 Callum Tarren; 11) Taylor Montgomery; 12) Mark Hubbard; 13) Takumi Kanaya; 14) Austin Cook / Brandon Wu; 16) Cristobal Del Solar; 17) Andrea Pavan / Greyson Sigg; 19) William Mouw / Chandler Phillips; 21) Peter Malnati / Kevin Roy; 23) Ben Silverman / Adam Svensson; 25) Cameron Champ.
- Top 25 SG Tee to Green: 1) Cameron Champ / Martin Laird; 3) Kevin Roy / Michael Thorbjornsen; 5) Emiliano Grillo; 6) Vince Whaley; 7) Ben Kohles; 8) William Mouw; 9) Kris Ventura; 10) Callum Tarren; 11) Rico Hoey / Mark Hubbard / Jackson Suber; 14) Luke List; 15) Andrea Pavan / Thomas Rosenmueller; 17) Beau Hossler / Mac Meissner; 19) David Skinns; 20) Patrick Fishburn; 21) Adam Svensson; 22) Trevor Cone; 23) Paul Peterson / Greyson Sigg; 25) Jeremy Paul.
- Top 25 SG Putting: 1) Jackson Koivun; 3) Bronson Burgoon; 3) Taylor Montgomery; 4) Gordon Sargent; 5) Matt NeSmith; 6) Jackson Suber / Tim Widing; 8) Peter Malnati; 9) Mark Hubbard; 10) Austin Cook / Hayden Springer; 12) Beau Hossler; 13) Cameron Champ; 14) Chandler Phillips; 15) Nick Hardy; 16) Noah Goodwin / Michael Thorbjornsen; 18) Ryan Brehm / John Pak / Kris Ventura; 21) Anders Albertson; 22) Cristobal Del Solar / Kevin Roy; 24) Kevin Kisner / Chan Kim / Chad Ramey / Callum Tarren.
- Top 25 SG Total: 1) Cameron Champ; 2) Kevin Roy; 3) Michael Thorbjornsen; 4) Jackson Koivun; 5) Jackson Suber; 6) Emiliano Grillo; 7) Kris Ventura; 8) Taylor Montgomery; 9) Vince Whaley; 10) Mark Hubbard; 11) Callum Tarren; 12) Beau Hossler; 13) Luke List; 14) John Pak; 15) Bronson Burgoon; 16) Paul Peterson; 17) Lanto Griffin / Nick Hardy; 19) Trevor Cone / Patrick Fishburn; 21) Jeremy Paul; 22) Andrea Pavan / Chandler Philips; 24) Thomas Rosenmueller; 25) Peter Malnati / David Skinns / Hayden Springer.
For the record, here’s the breakdown of pure Bentgrass green PGA Tour victors in the field since 2008:
- 2 – Jason Dufner, Martin Laird, Troy Merritt.
- 1 – Jonathan Byrd, Cameron Champ, Emiliano Grillo, Bill Haas, Jim Herman, Kevin Kisner, Ben Martin, Seamus Power, Nick Watney.
Won by Harry Hall (60/1), Vincent Norrman (28/1), Trey Mullinax (150/1), Seamus Power (20/1), Jim Herman (500/1) and Troy Merritt (55/1), the full 2-year PGA Tour exemption available to the winner is a huge carrot, as is the possibility of harvesting enough FedEx Cup points to grab a spot in the magical top 70 (FedEx Cup Playoffs) or top 100 (PGA Status for 2026). Played in sweltering and humid conditions in deepest Kentucky, -22/266, -22/266, -25/263, -21/267, -26/262 and -23/265 have been the winning totals required at previous host course Keene Trace.
Linking these 5 champions is a task I have not got enough spare days to master. Swede Norrman had shown promise in his first season on the PGA Tour. Since the end of April, 9th at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans when partnered with Matthias Schwab, 18th at the Mexico Open, 8th at the Byron Nelson and 24th the outing before at the Rocket Mortgage Classic highlighted a player getting to grips with the top Tour in world golf.
Mullinax had inbound form of MC-MC-69-MC across his last 4 appearances when arriving in Kentucky. Power on the other hand was in red-hot form and was the betting favourite. Jim Herman arrived off the back of 7 Missed Cuts and a single MDF in his previous 8 appearances. Troy Merritt had finished 12th, 17th and 43rd across 3 of his past 4 appearances, so was in decent enough nick.
One fairly obvious thing does link the 5 though. All had motivation to play well, on the basis of their FedEx Cup ranking on arrival. Merritt, despite his good form, was 131st in the season-long standings, with no win exemption to rest his laurels on. Seamus Power was in career-best form but at 123rd in the FedEx Cup still had work to do to lock-up full playing privileges for the following season. Trey Mullinax was at 140th in the FedEx Cup standings so had work to do to avoid playing in the Korn Ferry Playoffs. Vincent Norrman was at 113th in the FedEx Cup and was working hard to gain his full playing privileges for 2024 in his rookie season.
2024 champion Harry Hall arrived in Kentucky directly from a season’s best 12th at the John Deere Classic in Illinois. At 134th in the FedEx Cup standings, his status for 2025 still very much had to be earned.
As you would expect Jim Herman was in the PGA Tour wastelands, ranking 232nd in the FedEx Cup with no win exemption prop to fall back upon.
