Legends of Golf to move to par-3 course in Missouri

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced Tuesday the Champions Tour Legends of Golf will move to Missouri and incorporate a par-3 course for the first time in an official competition.

The event will now be called the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf presented by Bass Pro Shops, and will be split between the Buffalo Ridge course and par-3 Top of the Rock course from June 6-8.

Players will split the first two rounds between the courses before playing Top of the Rock for the final round.

It will be a 54-hole event with two-man teams consisting of divisions for players between the ages of 50-65 and 65 and older.

"The Legends of Golf and Champions Tour both share a history of being innovative and engaging properties, and that legacy will certainly continue here at Big Cedar Lodge with the introduction of a par-3 golf course in official competition," Finchem said at a press conference.

"If there was ever a par-3 course worthy of PGA Tour tournament play, Top of the Rock is it. It truly is an outstanding venue and a wonderful complement to the newly redesigned Buffalo Ridge course. We believe the inclusion of this dramatic short course will demonstrate to a time-crunched world that par-3 golf is fun, entertaining, and a worthy alternative for golfers."

The tournament had been contested at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa in Savannah, Georgia, for the past 11 years. Brad Faxon and Jeff Sluman teamed to shoot a 7-under 65 in the final round last year to defeat the tandems of Fred Funk and Mike Goodes, and Kenny Perry and Gene Sauers by a stroke.

World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Gary Player and Lee Trevino have already agreed to participate in the event.

"At Big Cedar Lodge you have all the elements to make the Legends of Golf a unique tournament and to show fans that golf, even for professionals at the highest level, doesn't have to be played on long, 18-hole courses," said Watson.