Tucson, Ariz. (February 18, 2025) – 2025 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences Tournament Chairman Aaron Crowley today announced the initial round of player commitments for the upcoming PGA TOUR Champions tournament, set to be played at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, March 7th – 9th.
Joe Durant will return to defend his 2024 title against a strong field of competitors that includes a collection of past champions and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Among the past champions set to compete are David Toms (2023), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2022), Kevin Sutherland (2021), Bernhard Langer (2020), Steve Stricker (2018), Tom Lehman (2017) and Woody Austin (2016). Two-time Charles Schwab Cup winner Steven Alker (2022 and 2024), along with World Golf Hall of Fame members Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington have also committed to the tournament. Other PGA TOUR Champions professionals currently in the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences field include Cologuard ambassador Jerry Kelly; Justin Leonard, winner of last week’s Chubb Classic; Stewart Cink; Stephen Ames; and Mike Weir.
The 2025 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences will feature a 78-player field competing for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 to the winner. PGA TOUR Champions golfers have until Friday, February 28th to commit to play in the Cologuard Classic and the tournament has five sponsor exemptions to award prior to the start of the tournament. Therefore, the field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the tournament.
Golf fans making a minimum $5 donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona between now and March 7th will receive a complimentary general admission ticket to Saturday, March 8th of the 2025 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, compliments of presenting sponsor Exact Sciences. Donations can be made online. In addition, on Saturday, March 8th, non-perishable food items and monetary donations can be made at the PGA TOUR Champions tournament’s main entrance in exchange for a complimentary general admission ticket. Exact Sciences will match the funds donated by fans, up to $10,000, with all proceeds collected going to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. In tandem with this program, Friday, March 7th is Dress in Blue Day at the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, commemorating National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Fans, players, caddies and announcers are encouraged to wear blue to help raise awareness of colon cancer.
Over the past eight years, charity and community impact have been at the core of the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences. Proceeds from the tournament help support colon cancer awareness and Southern Arizona youth sports, including nearly $3.1 million since the 2018 tournament, the first with Cologuard® as title sponsor.
Played each March, the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences kicks off national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which raises awareness of colorectal cancer, highlights available screening options, and recognizes those who have been affected by the disease. For more information on the Cologuard Classic, visit www.CologuardClassic.com.
About the Cologuard test
The Cologuard test is a first-line colorectal cancer screening test for use in adults age 45 or older who are at average risk for the disease. It is included in national colorectal cancer screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society (2018) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021).
The Cologuard test revolutionized colorectal cancer screening by providing a best-in-class, noninvasive testing option for those at average risk. The test looks for certain DNA markers and blood in the stool that are associated with colorectal cancer and precancer and was shown to effectively detect colorectal cancer and precancer in the pivotal DeeP-C study. The Cologuard test is easy to use, can be completed at home, and does not require any time off or special preparation.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit ExactSciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on X (formerly known as Twitter) @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About The Tucson Conquistadores
The Tucson Conquistadores, Inc. is a nonprofit organized for the purpose of supporting local youth and special needs amateur athletics primarily in Southern Arizona, with an emphasis on offering life enhancing opportunities to give back to the local community. The Conquistadores are comprised of up to 59 active business and professional members and a total membership of 223 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. The Conquistadores have raised more than $37.2 million for local charities since their inception in 1962, including more than $3,091,000 since the 2018 tournament, Cologuard’s first as title sponsor. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include Southern Arizona youth athletic programs, First Tee-Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has also established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com.
About La Paloma Country Club
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, La Paloma Country Club is Tucson’s premier private club, featuring 27-holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. The club’s Toptracer Range enhances an already impressive member experience that includes a host of recently elevated amenities, including an expanded clubhouse, event and activities lawn, halfway house, and fitness center. In addition to golf amenities, La Paloma members enjoy 8 tennis courts, 7 pickleball courts, access to five food and beverage venues, a junior Olympic-sized lap pool, a five-pool aquatic playground featuring a swim-up bar & waterslide, and the La Paloma Spa & Salon. Managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, La Paloma Country Club is part of the beautiful 250-acre Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. For more information on La Paloma Country Club, visit www.lapalomacc.com or call 520-618-4000.
About The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
The iconic Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a lush, 250-acre desert retreat nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains boasting breathtaking mountain, desert and golf course views. The property recently underwent a $35 million rejuvenation, including all 487 of Tucson's largest and most luxurious guest rooms, which range from 475 to 1900 square feet. Every aspect of the Resort has been reinvented, from guestrooms and suites, to golf course bunkers, to the five expansive pools. The resort has also been ranked as the No. 1 Westin property in North America for Meeting Planner satisfaction for six of the last eight years. The resort features five swimming pools, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, luxurious Spa & Salon, five restaurants, a Tennis & Health Center, Westin Kids Club and retail shopping. The newly renovated 475 square foot Traditional Guest Rooms includes a large work area with a two-line speakerphone with data port, wireless internet access, voice messaging, 42" HD-TV, in-room movies, laptop-sized safe, full size ironing board and iron, Starbucks’s coffee and gourmet tea. Guest rooms also feature Westin’s exclusive Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bathroom and Heavenly Mirror. Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes away.
In addition, The Westin recently celebrated the grand opening of its beautifully renovated lobby. Guests can now enjoy a contemporary restaurant, bar and tequila lounge, café, coffee shop, and retail space. For your next gathering or outing, don’t miss the TopGolf Swing Suite, where you can relax in a climate-controlled bay and play over a dozen exciting games.
ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on X (formerly Twitter - @ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
###