Xander Schauffele of the United States bites his gold medal after winning the men’s golf tournament at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 1. AP file photo

The Maui News

The Sentry Tournament of Champions was informed Monday that the PGA Tour Policy Board has approved a new tournament eligibility category to include the men’s Olympic gold medalist in the year following his win, provided he is a full member of the Tour at the time of his gold medal performance.

That means 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Xander Schauffele will be at the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions, which returns to the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Jan. 6-9.

“What a treat,” Schauffele said. “I was so happy when I heard the news since everyone wants to go to the Sentry Tournament of Champions. If you’re a member of the PGA Tour and you win the Olympics, it’s an extra bonus that you get to dip into. For me personally, it’s been such a good spot to start the year. I really do enjoy that week and I’m really happy that I’ll be able to play in the tournament.”

Schauffele’s Olympic victory was his first since the 2019 TOC, where he has three top-five finishes in four career appearances.

In addition to Schauffele, 30 players have currently qualified for the TOC courtesy of their PGA Tour victories in the 2021 calendar year, including six who have qualified for the first time.

Seven of the top 10 in the FedEx Cup standings — Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Harris English, Jon Rahm, Abraham Ancer, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas — are currently qualified.