The Evans Scholars Invitational has a new home. For now.
After schedule conflicts at the fledgling tournament’s previous home, The Glen Club, this week’s Korn Ferry Tour event will take place at the Chicago Highlands Club, a par-72 course that opened in 2010 in nearby Westchester. The second-ever edition of the Evans Scholars Invitational was originally scheduled for May, but due to COVID-19, it will take place this week — on a links-style course that occupies 270 acres and features over 80 feet of elevation changes against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline. The tournament is slated to return to The Glen Club in 2021.
Last year’s inaugural event featured plenty of drama. Scottie Scheffler carded a final-round 63 to overcome a six-stroke deficit before defeating Colombia’s Marcelo Rozo with a second-hole birdie in a playoff. As many fans know, Scheffler has since become one of golf’s brightest young stars. The 24-year old is a favorite for this year’s PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award and finished the season ranked fifth in the FedExCup standings.
Rozo is surely hoping that his past performances in the Windy City will be indicative of his efforts this weekend. So far, the 30-year old has made just four of 17 cuts, missing 10 in a row en route to a T-59 finish last week. Brett Drewitt, meanwhile, is coming off his first-ever Korn Ferry Tour win at the Lincoln Land Championship, and the 29-year old Australian will look to add a second straight victory to his season.
Other notable competitors include Chicago native Vince India, who has made 10 of his last 12 cuts. The 31-year old earned a career-best T-3 finish two weeks ago at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Charlie Saxon of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been inside the top 10 after 13 of his last 17 rounds, and the 27-year old will try to break into the winner’s circle for the first time this season. Also expected to be in the hunt is England’s Harry Hall. At just 23 years of age, Hall achieved a career-best T-2 finish last week in just his fifth career start.
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