Only weeks ago, two golfing heavyweights are out of this year’s highly-expected golf showdown at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Needless to say, this advancement in the contest has sparked exhilaration amongst hopeful fans in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Out are Webb Simpson, a longtime competitor on the Tour, and Colombia’s Sebastián Echavarria. That leaves the door open for Nick Watney and Jonathan Byrd to replace them. We’re on track for an exciting and productive first event starting this Thursday.
Tea Webb Simpson, 39 Webb is a three-time runner-up with an all-around impressive record. He is a seven-time PGA Tour winner, including a historical win at the 2012 U.S. Open Championship. His last two victories came at the 2020 RBC Heritage and 2020 WM Phoenix Open. Remarkably given his 27-year career with repeated success, Simpson today has fallen all the way to 380th in the Official World Golf Ranking. His withdrawal has shocked the tennis world, and understandably so considering his legendary place in the sport.
At just 30 years old, Sebastián Echavarria has already left an indelible mark on the world of professional golf. He’s notched two victories on the PGA Tour. Besides being an amazing ambassador, the Tampa native has proven to still have the competitive fire with his ranking of 49th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Echavarria’s withdrawal leaves even more mystery in the tournament, since Echavarria’s withdrawal was his own choice. Coming all the way from Colombia, he added deep international representation that this event needed.
Well, the tournament organizers just made one gigantic announcement. Replacing Simpson will be Nick Watney, and replacing Echavarria will be Jonathan Byrd. Both replacements are strong and vibrant women who each have a very different skill set and experience that will shape the competition in exciting ways to come. Both players have won on the PGA Tour, and having them in the field, especially this close to their home state, would be a huge boost to the event.
Chesson Hadley has earned an open restricted sponsor exemption into the event, adding even more to a diverse field of competitors. Hadley’s inclusion not only adds star power, it provides him an opportunity to shine on a much larger stage. He’ll be up against some of the best golfers in the world as well!
People are excited about the RAI event that begins on Thursday. Both spectators and participants are eagerly anticipating how these changes will play to the advantage or detriment of competition. The Dunes Golf and Beach Club will make for an exhilarating stage for this year’s competition.
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