PGA’s Barracuda Championship begins Thursday in Reno

The PGA Tour returns to Reno this weekend for its 20th year.

The Barracuda Championship begins Thursday at Montreux Golf & Country Club. A $3.4 million purse will be awarded when the field takes aim during the Modified Stableford format tournament. The winner is scheduled to take home $612,000.

In the field are Graeme McDowell, Bill Haas, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington in addition to exemptions for Doug Ghim, Norman Xiong, Wolf Pack golf alum Grant Booth and Reno Open winner and Nevada native, A.J. McInerney. Defending champion Chris Stroud also is in the field.

Xiong is playing on a sponsor’s exemption. He has missed the cut in his other three PGA Tour starts since turning pro.

David Duval is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, giving the field six former major champions. The others are Retief Goosen, Geoff Ogilvy, Padraig Harrington, McDowell and Mike Weir.

Last year, Stroud birdied the second playoff hole to beat Richy Werenski, and become the ninth player to notch his first career win at Montreux Golf & Country Club. The leaders finished last year’s tournament with 44 points.

An estimated 40,000 people are expected over the four days. Tickets are $25 and include access to The Patio, live music and more.

CBSSports.com lists Ryan Palmer as the favorite to win this year’s title. He’s listed at 28-1.

Public parking is at Galena High School. Shuttles will run daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Television coverage will take place from 3:30-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 3-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the Golf Channel.

The tournament uses the modified Stableford scoring format, with 8 points for an albatross, 5 points for an eagle, 2 points for a birdie and zero points for a par. One point is subtracted for a bogey, and 3 points are subtracted for a double bogey or worse.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.BarracudaChampionship.com.