WGC-Bridgestone Heading to Memphis in 2019

It was announced several weeks ago that the WGC-Bridgestone would be heading to a new venue for the 2019 season. And according to new reports, that location will be named this week.

There are several reports that the WGC-Bridgestone will be played in Memphis, Tennessee starting in 2019 after leaving Akron, Ohio, which has hosted a PGA TOUR event for the past 60 years. The announcement will be made on Thursday by PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan and Player of the Year Justin Thomas.

The move means that Memphis will be making an upgrade in host events. For the past 60 years, Memphis has hosted the St. Jude Classic, specifically at TPC Southwind since 1989. This seems like a logical move, however, to put one of the biggest events in FedEx Cup points at the home base of FedEx, which just renewed sponsorship for the end of the season tournament for the next 10 years.

A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the FedEX…

A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the FedEX St. Jude Classic at the TPC Southwind on June 11, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

As for Akron and Firestone Country Club, this will likely be the end of their ties with the PGA TOUR. Their history with professional golf goes back just as far as Memphis. The relationship with the club dates back to the 1950s at the Rubber City Open. It has also hosted the PGA Championship three times along with the WGC-Bridgestone since 1999.

With Memphis earning the WGC-Bridgestone, the PGA TOUR schedule will add yet another change. The Player’s Championship has already moved to March and the PGA Championship to May, and now Memphis will host the WGC-Bridgestone in August. That will open up another slot in June, when the St. Jude Classic was held in previous years, for another tournament or location to take over.

While we’re sad to see the WGC-Bridgestone leave Akron, we’re also excited to see what type of energy it will bring to Memphis. 2019 is sure to be an exciting year for golf with all the changes and we’re sure this won’t be the last schedule update before the end of the year.

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