The Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the season-opening event of the PGA Tour, gets the New Year started at the Kapalua Resort’s legendary Plantation Course, Maui, Jan. 5 through Jan. 9. The tournament is a qualified field, which means only 2011 PGA Tour champions are eligible to compete. Jonathan Byrd, last year’s Hyundai winner, will be back to defend his title in the $5.6 million event. The winner’s share is $1.12 million.
The par 73 course, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, unfurls across natural geographic formations and pineapple plantation fields. K.J. Choi set the course record with a 62 in 2003. Admission is free today, Jan. 5. Tickets are required Jan. 6-9. They can be purchased in advance for $15 daily and $40 weekly or at the gate for $20 daily and $50 weekly. Children 18 and under are free all week when accompanied by a ticketed adult. For more information please visit the tournament webpage at www.pgatour.com/hyundai.