‘Old guy’ Chez Reavie has eyes on defending title at Barracuda Championship

July 19, 2023

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TRUCKEE, Calif. The PGA Tour returns to the region this week with the Barracuda Championship starting Thursday at Old Greenwood.

Chez Reavie is the defending champion for the Barracuda, a PGA Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event that will be played opposite the 151st British Open. Reavie is part of the 156-player field.

Reavie was the first 40-year-old to win on the PGA Tour last year.

“I might have been the only 40-year-old to win. It’s kind of a weird thing to say, but I guess it’s a good thing, if you’re the oldest guy on tour to win every year, that means you’re doing something right,” Reavie said.

He finished 35th in the John Deere Classic earlier this month, then took a week off to rest and prepare for the Barracuda.

He said last year was the first time he ever saw Lake Tahoe. When he played at Montreux, the previous venue through 2019, that was the closest he had been to the lake.

Chez Reavie pumps his fist after sinking a putt on the 18th hole to win the 2022 Barracuda Championship at Tahoe Mt. Club’s Old Greenwood golf course in Truckee, California. (Photo: Tom R. Smedes/Special to Reno Gazette-Journal)

Reavie said he was surprised at how flat the course is at Old Greenwood, he had been expecting more elevation changes due to playing in the mountains.

“It is a really great golf course. Great for professionals to play, great for amateurs to play,” Reavie said. “A lot of character to the golf course.”

Field includes several exemptions

Bastien Amat
Sam Bennett
Ethan Cairns (2023 Reno Open winner)
Ben Carr
Rico Hoey
Matt Ryan
Brandt Snedeker

Past champions in this year’s field

2022 Chez Reavie
2021 Erik van Rooyen
2020 Richy Werenski
2017 Chris Stroud
2011 Scott Piercy

Players currently in the top 70 in FedEx Cup

Nick Hardy (46)
Patrick Rodgers (52)
Mark Hubbard (54)
Matt NeSmith (57)
Stephan Jaeger (59)
Keith Mitchell (60)
Sam Stevens (61)
J.J. Spaun (65)
Beau Hossler (68)