Kevin Prise, PGATOUR.COM
Nick Hardy is one to watch at the Veritex Bank Championship. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
After Peter Uihlein’s high-rolling victory at the MGM Resorts Championship at Paiute, the Korn Ferry Tour proceeds to the Lone Star State for this week’s inaugural Veritex Bank Championship, contested at Texas Rangers GC in Arlington, Texas.
The par-71 track measures 6,987 yards and holds the distinction of being the world’s only Major League Baseball-branded golf club. During last year’s pandemic hiatus, 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler carded a 59 in a casual round with friends, punctuated by a 20-foot eagle on the closing hole.
This week’s field will aim to follow Scheffler’s lead and make birdies in bushels, in hopes of moving up the Korn Ferry Tour Points List by Sunday afternoon.
The Veritex Bank Championship also marks a farewell tour for Korn Ferry Tour freelance digital content manager Mackenzie Perez, who will depart at week’s end for a full-time opportunity with an animal-focused non-profit organization.
Who’s slated for a big week in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex? Here are 10 players to watch.
1. Nick Hardy. The University of Illinois alum has seemingly done everything but win this season, with 14 top-25s in 27 starts, including a final-round 60 at this month’s Emerald Coast Classic. He’s fresh off a T5 in Las Vegas.
2. Lee Hodges. The Alabama alum made a heroic Friday run at last week’s MGM Resorts Championship, carding 6-under 66 to make his 17th consecutive cut. The beacon of consistency stands No. 6 on The 25.
3. Max McGreevy. The Oklahoma alum now lives in Dallas and enters the week on the strength of four consecutive top-20 finishes, including a runner-up at last month’s Club Car Championship.
4. Davis Riley. The two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner was in the mix for a Three-Victory Promotion last week in Las Vegas before finishing T17. With a win this week, Riley would beat his former roommate Will Zalatoris to TOUR membership.
5. Braden Thornberry. The Ole Miss alum has recorded three top-15s in his past five starts, including a T5 at last week’s MGM Resorts Championship, moving to No. 43 on the Points List as he eyes his first TOUR card.
6. Taylor Moore. The Arkansas alum is proudly based in Dallas and will bring good vibes to Texas Rangers GC as he aims to build on a solo-fourth finish at last week’s MGM Resorts Championship, which vaulted him to No. 44 on The 25.
7. Sahith Theegala. The Pepperdine alum has taken the Korn Ferry Tour by storm this spring with two top-20s in three starts, including a T9 in Las Vegas to earn a spot in this week’s field.
8. Ollie Schniederjans. The Georgia Tech alum resides in Atlanta but was born in Dallas, and he’ll embrace a return to his birthplace as he strives to improve on his No. 41 position on the Points List.
9. Brandon Wu. The Dallas resident will enjoy a home game this week as he aims to build on a stellar 2020-21 campaign where he has recorded five top-10s in 12 starts and ranks No. 7 on The 25.
10. Taylor Dickson. The Winthrop alum grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina and is close friends with Harold Varner III, who recorded a TOUR-best runner-up at last week’s RBC Heritage. Dickson will be inspired to follow Varner’s lead.
Click here for the original article on PGATour.com.
ABOUT KORN FERRY TOUR
Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour identifies and develops those players who are ready to compete and win on golf’s biggest stage. In 2013, the Korn Ferry Tour became The Path to the PGA TOUR with all 50 available PGA TOUR cards coming through the Tour and the season culminating at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. This season marks the 31st year of competition on the Korn Ferry Tour. Three out of four PGA TOUR members are Korn Ferry Tour alumni. Tour alumni have won more than 500 PGA TOUR titles, including 24 major championships and eight PLAYERS Championships. To learn more about the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit PGATOUR.COM, or follow the Tour on social media via Instagram (@KornFerryTour), Twitter (@KornFerryTour) and Facebook (facebook.com/KornFerryTour).
ABOUT KORN FERRY
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. And, we help professionals navigate and advance their careers.
ABOUT VERITEX COMMUNITY BANK
Veritex Community Bank is dedicated to be the best bank in Texas. Veritex takes pride in being a community bank with local decisions. Specializing in business banking, commercial loans, small business lending, treasury management and mortgages. Veritex takes the time to get to know you and your specific needs and provide you the expert banking advice you seek.
What does it mean to be honest-to-goodness banking experts? It means you get exceptional customer service, smart banking choices and the peace of mind that comes with knowing Veritex is invested in you and your community. From over 40 banking centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the greater Houston area, Louisville, KY and surrounding areas as well as a local home mortgage office in Dallas, Veritex is the community bank with a difference because they’re making a difference in the community.
ABOUT ANERA SPORTS, LLC.
Founded in 2018 by the past executive director of the Texas Golf Association and TGA Foundation, Rob Addington, Anera has quickly established a presence in the golf community. Anera provides event management services to some of the top amateur championships in the country and operates the business of several amateur golf associations including the Trans-Miss Golf Association and the Amateur Golf Alliance. Anera also provides consulting services to corporations, clubs and tournaments in the strategic planning, management and implementation of sports related initiatives. Anera has created and managed championships at some of the top ranked clubs in the country and is dedicated to providing a first class experience for all parties. Anera is headquartered in Dallas, TX.
