A South Carolina course makes its PGA Tour debut this week as players make their final preparations for next week’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina, plays host to the 2021 Palmetto Championship, a tournament created to fill the RBC Canadian Open’s place on the Tour’s schedule. The RBC was canceled for the second straight year due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Congaree will play as a par-71 at 7,655-yards.
Shaking off recent struggles, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson turned in a bogey-free, 6-under 65 Thursday to grab a share of the early lead in the first round.
It opened in 2018 and has only two official members — its billionaire founders Dan Friedkin and the late Robert McNair, who owned the Houston Texans. What it has instead are invited ambassadors, people prominent in their industries who aren’t so much expected to pay cash as donate their time and mentorship.
Take a look at some photos from the 2021 tournament.
Palmetto Championship at Congaree
The Palmetto Championship trophy is seen on the first tee at Congaree on June 10, 2021…
The Palmetto Championship trophy is seen on the first tee at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Sean O’Hair
Sean O’Hair prepares to putt on the 11th hole during the first round of the Palmetto…
Sean O’Hair prepares to putt on the 11th hole during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson reacts as his birdie attempt just misses the cup on the 2nd hole, his…
Dustin Johnson reacts as his birdie attempt just misses the cup on the 2nd hole, his 11th during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Photo by Savannah Morning News
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson and Kevin Kisner walk across a bridge from the 2nd tee Thursday during the…
Dustin Johnson and Kevin Kisner walk across a bridge from the 2nd tee Thursday during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Photo by Savannah Morning News
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka prepares to play his shot on the 12th hole during the first round of…
Brooks Koepka prepares to play his shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the Palmetto…
Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter prepares to play his shot on the 11th hole during the first round of…
Ian Poulter prepares to play his shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
John Pak
John Pak plays his shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Palmetto…
John Pak plays his shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 10, 2021 in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Kevin Chappell
Kevin Chappell hits from the fairway on 11 during the first round of the Palmetto Championship…
Kevin Chappell hits from the fairway on 11 during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Photo by David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Vegas
Jonathan Vegas studies a putt on the 10th green during the first round of the Palmetto…
Jonathan Vegas studies a putt on the 10th green during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Photo by David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Hudson Swafford
Hudson Swafford fist bumps his caddie, Kyle Bradley, after sinking a birdie putt on the 9th…
Hudson Swafford fist bumps his caddie, Kyle Bradley, after sinking a birdie putt on the 9th hole, his 18th, during the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Photo by Savannah Morning News
