With the Big Names at Portrush, Don’t Sleep on the Barracuda Championship, a PGA Tour and DP World Tour Opposite Field Gem originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
I get it, the Open Championship is happening at Royal Portrush, and that’s where all the golf world’s attention is focused. However, as I mentioned last week regarding opposite-field events, if you’re writing off this week’s Barracuda Championship in Tahoe as just another “opposite field” tournament, you’re missing out on what could be the most enjoyable four days of golf all season.
Related: While Golf’s Elite Battle in Scotland, ISCO Championship Proves Opposite-Field Events Are Hidden Gems
This Isn’t Your Typical Golf Tournament
What makes the Barracuda Championship different from every other week? They ditched stroke play entirely. Instead, guys rack up points playing a Modified Stableford scoring system. It’s the only tournament on tour that does this, and it flips traditional stroke play on its head.
In stroke play golf, one blow-up hole tanks your whole day. Not so true in this Modified Stableford system. Make a double and you lose three points, then you pick up and walk to the next tee. But knock one in for eagle? That’s five points right there — enough to jump twenty spots up the board.
The numbers work out beautifully for aggressive play. Birdie gets you two points, bogey only costs you one. So that tight pin over water that most pros would never go at? Here, it’s a no-brainer. The risk-reward is tilted toward taking chances.
Nick Dunlap’s Incredible Story Continues
The defending champion is Nick Dunlap, and his story remains remarkable. This kid won the American Express in January as an amateur, then turned pro and won again at this very tournament a few months later. Nobody in PGA TOUR history had ever done that—win as both an amateur and professional in the same year.
His victory here wasn’t just any win, either. He started Sunday nine points back, then went absolutely nuclear with a 19-point final round. That’s like shooting 61 in regular golf, except even more impressive because of how the scoring works.
This season hasn’t been as magical for Dunlap — his best finish was a decent showing at the Sony Open — but you can’t count out someone who’s already proven he can win on tour. Plus, there’s something about returning to the scene of your breakthrough moment.
The Desperation Factor Is Real
The drama’s real this week. After this tournament, there are only two events left before the FedExCup Playoffs, and they cut it off at the top 100. Adam Hadwin is sitting at 129th in points. Do the math.
Hadwin wasn’t even supposed to be here — he was a late entry. That should tell you everything about where his head’s at right now. He’s played this thing twice, maybe three times total, but when you’re fighting for your season, you take whatever you can get.
Three hundred FedExCup points to the winner. That’s the difference between August golf and August vacation. When guys are playing scared like that, wild stuff happens. Always does.
Max Homa’s Long-Awaited Return
One of the best storylines flying under the radar is Max Homa coming back to this tournament for the first time since 2017. Back then, he was a struggling tour pro trying to figure things out. Today, he’s one of the most popular players in golf, with multiple wins and a social following that rivals anyone.
His recent T5 at the John Deere Classic was his best finish of the season, and the timing couldn’t be better. Homa’s personality and aggressive style seem perfect for the Modified Stableford format. He’s never been afraid to take risks, and this scoring system rewards exactly that mindset.
The Course Itself Begs for Fireworks
The course sits way up at 6,000 feet, so the ball absolutely flies in that thin air. And the views? Forget about it. But the tournament people did something smart last year — they switched which nine you start on. Now, when you make the turn, you’re staring down two par-5s and a short par-4 you can probably drive if you’ve got the stones.
That’s huge in this format. Picture this: you’re trailing by a few points with three holes left, and suddenly you’ve got two legitimate eagle chances plus a hole where you might stuff a driver to ten feet. In regular stroke play, that’s nice. Here, it’s absolutely mental. Those are the moments that make you grab your buddy and say “did you see that?”
The Hungry International Contingent
Then there’s the international flavor. More than 50 DP World Tour guys made the trip over, and they’re hungry. You probably don’t know half these names, but they can flat-out play. For them, this isn’t just another tournament — it’s their chance to prove they belong on the big stage.
The format suits them perfectly, too. European players grow up taking risks, going for pins, playing with flair. That’s exactly what Modified Stableford rewards. While the Americans are used to grinding out pars and managing their way around courses, these guys will fire at every flag. It should be fun to watch.
Why This Event Matters More Than You Think
Here’s my take: while everyone’s watching the big names battle at The Open, some of the most entertaining golf of the year might be happening in the mountains of California. The combination of desperate players, a unique format, and a course that rewards aggression is a recipe for memorable moments.
Sometimes the best golf happens when the spotlight isn’t quite so bright. The Barracuda Championship has all the ingredients for one of those tournaments you’ll remember long after the season ends. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Related: The Beauty of Golf’s Opposite Field: William Mouw’s ISCO Championship Win
Related: Why I’m Not Getting Cute with My Open Championship Picks
Related: The Magic of The Open Championship: Why Golf’s Oldest Major Captivates Like No Other
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Read the full article here
