What is the ISCO Championship? (And other questions about the PGA in Kentucky.)

DrewFranklinKSR

isco-championship-keene-trace — Jul 10, 2022; Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA; Hurly Long walks across the bridge to the fourth green during the final round of the Barbasol Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The PGA TOUR is back at Keene Trace Golf Club this week, although this year, it is without the surplus of shaving cream. The TOUR’s annual stop in Central Kentucky has a new name in 2024. The ISCO Championship tees off Thursday, marking the sixth year Keene Trace will host the FedEx Cup event. Aside from a new name, the tournament is still the same in many ways. Still, we will revisit its format and more things to know with these frequently asked questions about Nicholasville’s ISCO Championship, formerly known as the Barbasol Championship.

What happened to Barbasol?

Barbasol still provides the same great shaving cream, aftershave, and disposable razors; however, the company went in another direction with its sponsorship dollars once its PGA contract expired after the 2023 tournament in Kentucky.

Jul 7, 2022; Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA; Barbasol cans mark the tee area during the first round of the Barbasol Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The tournament’s future was uncertain without a title sponsor until ISCO stepped up.

What’s ISCO?

Excellent question. According to my semi-thorough Google search, ISCO Industries is headquartered in Louisville. ISCO describes itself on its website as “a global customized HDPE piping solutions supplier.” So, consider ISCO for your piping needs.

Will I see Scottie Scheffler there?

Unfortunately, you will not see Scottie Scheffler at Keene Trace. In fact, it is doubtful that you will see Scottie Scheffler in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a long time.

What about Rory?

Rory won’t be there, either.

Xander? Hideki? Tom Kim?

No, no, and no.

Then who is playing in it?

The PGA’s top players are either taking the week off to rest up for next week’s Open Championship or are already over in Scotland for the Scottish Open. Still, the ISCO Championship is full of real-life PGA TOUR players competing for FedEx Cup points and a two-year exemption to stay on TOUR.

Additionally, 50 players from the DP World Tour are in the field with the PGA’s rising stars. In 2022, the tournament became a co-sanctioned event with the DP World Tour to welcome a more competitive field.

Jul 10, 2022; Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA; Hurly Long walks across the bridge to the fourth green during the final round of the Barbasol Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

What is the Scottish Open? You’re confusing me.

This is a unique week on the PGA TOUR as there are concurrent tournaments on opposite sides of the world. The ISCO Championship is an alternate event to the Scottish Open in, you guessed it, Scotland, which will also host a major tournament next week. So, many of the top money-earners on TOUR play in the Scottish Open because it is the primary event of the two with more to gain. Plus, the extra week in Scotland helps in preparation for the Open.

With the world’s best in Scotland, the ISCO Championship is a great opportunity for up-and-comers.

Who won last year?

Last July, Vincent Norrman won in a sudden-death playoff over Nathan Kimsey. Norrman, a PGA TOUR rookie, bogeyed the 18th hole to find himself playing extra Sunday golf in Nicholasville. He won by scrambling to par the 18th in the playoff to clinch his first win in his 23rd start.

Aug 12, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Vincent Norrman reacts after missing a putt on the eighth hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Other past champions: Trey Mullinax (2022), Seamus Power (2021), Jim Herman (2019), and Tory Merritt (2018).

What is the ISCO Championship prize?

This year’s ISCO champion will receive a $720,000 payout (18% of the purse), a two-year PGA TOUR exemption, a spot in the PGA Championship, 300 FedEx Cup points, and a special place in Keene Trace lore. If the winner had already qualified for the Open before the ISCO Championship, the next highest finisher will get the invite to Royal Troon.

You can see the tournament’s $4 million purse breakdown here.

Who are some players to watch this year?

I’ll give you ten…

Josh Teater – BBN’s favorite golfer, Josh Teater, is at home in Lexington for the ISCO Championship. The 45-year-old Morehead State alum is still seeking his first PGA victory. He’ll have a big following.

Cooper Musselman, Alex Goff, Stephen Stallings Jr. – The three former Kentucky Wildcats in the field.

Apr 25, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Joel Dahmen looks from the 9th hole during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Dahmen – A winner on the PGA TOUR in 2021, Joel Dahmen’s popularity grew when he and caddie Geno Bonnalie were featured on the second season of Full Swing on Netflix. Dahmen has one top-10 on his resume this season and almost another with a T11 finish at The Players Championship in March.

Brandt Snedeker – Brandt Snedeker is a well-known name among golf fans. The 43-year-old Vanderbilt alum has nine wins on the PGA TOUR, including the 2012 TOUR Championship and FedEx Cup, plus third-place finishes at The Masters and The Open.

Troy Merritt – Troy Merritt is a proven winner. He was the Barbasol champ in 2019, the first year of the PGA TOUR at Keene Trace.

Kelly Kraft – Not the former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate, Kelly Kraft has the course record with a 61 in 2019.

Luke Clanton – An amateur, Florida State’s Luke Clanton is the hottest name in the tournament after two top-10 finishes in the last two weeks, including a T2 at the John Deere Classic last Sunday. Due to his amateur status, Clanton couldn’t claim the $900k in prize money for his back-to-back top-10s. Still, he’s hot and expected to contend for his first win against the pros this week. The 20-year-old is the betting favorite at 9/1 odds.

Michael Thorbjornsen – Michael Thorbjornsen also finished T2 a week ago at the John Deere Classic in only his third PGA professional start. Thorbjornsen is one spot beneath Clanton on the board with 12/1 odds to win the ISCO.

What about the golf course? Is it more like Tates Creek or Picadome?

Those are two great Lexington tracks, but Keene Trace’s Champions course is one of the best in the entire state, featuring rolling hills, big greens, several bunkers, and enough water to spoil a good round. The finishing hole is played alongside a lake, adding a little more pressure to that final drive on Sunday.

This year, the ISCO field will play at 7,328 yards and a par 72.

Jul 9, 2022; Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA; Greyson Sigg and William McGirt walk to the green as rain falls on the fourth hole during the third round of the Barbasol Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Will it rain?

Mother Nature has been cruel to this tournament in years past, so hopefully, Nicholasville will have sunny skies in this rebranding year for our friends at Keene Trace.

Where do I buy tickets?

Purchase your daily or weekly tickets here. Get in there.

How can I watch at home?

Golf Channel and Peacock will broadcast parts of the 2024 ISCO Championship in Central Kentucky. Thursday and Friday coverage airs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the weekend broadcast is from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Follow the ISCO Championship leaderboard.