Brooks Koepka Lifts Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic Interest as Talks Continue
Brooks Koepka’s presence at the oneflight myrtle beach classic helped lift attention around the event while contract talks continued beyond 2027. He played in this year’s tournament, giving the field a profile boost at a time when officials are trying to extend the deal that currently runs through 2027.
Koepka Draws Eyes to Dunes
Koepka was not at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds, but his name still changed the conversation around the tournament. The field also included Brandt Snedeker, Billy Horschel and Danny Willett, yet Koepka carried the most weight because he remains one of the clearest draws in the group.
The event also had to compete for attention with the Wells Fargo and Truist championships, another reminder of the grind that opposite-field tournaments face on the PGA Tour calendar. Tournament director Darren Nelson said those events can struggle to create excitement from players when another tour stop is playing the same week.
Darren Nelson on Player Buy-In
“With this event, there's also another PGA Tour event the same week so a lot of times, the opposite field events the golf course aren't as good and the players aren't excited to play these types of events,” Nelson said. “But I think we've blown them away. The first two years, the players who have played here I think, have told the other guys, 'hey, you need to come play here at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club' because it is such a great golf course.”
That player-to-player message is part of why Koepka’s appearance mattered. If a player of his stature shows up, it gives the tournament a line of proof that the event can attract better fields than the usual opposite-field slot.
Tracy Conner and 2027 Talks
Tournament executive director Tracy Conner said discussions about the next contract have been positive, with talks between the PGA Tour and title sponsors ONEFlight and Visit Myrtle Beach still ongoing. She also said the event could help transition LIV Golf players back into standalone PGA Tour tournaments.
“What we're bringing to not just Myrtle Beach, but the key to the tournament is a little different than most tournaments since we've had really good, positive conversations about the next contract,” Conner said. “That is the conversation we have with the tour. Right. Use us next year to transition Liv back into standalone tournaments with the tour.”
The current agreement for the Myrtle Beach Classic runs through 2027, and Conner said it will likely take a few more months before an agreement is near to continue the event after that. Koepka said earlier this week that he is looking forward to earning his way back into Signature Events on the Tour, adding, “I’m itching to get in, but I’m accepting of where I’m at,” and, “I understand that there’s a price to pay for coming back, and I’m willing to accept those and whatever I have to do.”
