Defending champion JJ Henry chasing an Open spot at the Barracuda Championship

29 June 2016 11:53

High points totals rather than low scores will be the order of the day in this week's Barracuda Championship, which offers the added incentive of a place in the Open Championship for the first time.

The £2.3million tournament - formerly known as the Reno-Tahoe Open and held at the same time as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational - is the only one on the PGA Tour to use a Modified Stableford format, which allocates points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.

Eight points are awarded for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, zero for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a double bogey or worse.

"Obviously, it's kind of different," said defending champion JJ Henry, who defeated compatriot Kyle Reifers in a play-off 12 months ago to win the title for the second time in four years. "It rewards birdies. Bogeys don't hurt you as much potentially as it does in a normal event.

"I've been fortunate enough to win here twice and have a lot of other good finishes. For whatever it is, I love coming here."

As well as a first prize of £425,000, the tournament will also provide an automatic berth for the Open at Troon to the leading finisher who is not already exempt after flooding forced the cancellation of the Greenbrier Classic.

"It's just a great opportunity," Henry added. "Whether you're a rookie out here trying to find your way or somebody like myself or David Toms, who's almost 50, it's just a great opportunity for somebody to go out and either resurrect their career or really jump-start one."

Major champions Toms, Trevor Immelman and John Daly are also in the field at Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno.

Source: PA