Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Memorial Health Championship announced Monday a big addition to its field of competitors for the Korn Ferry Tour stop June 27-30. Tournament Director Kate Peters announced Jackson Buchanan, Big Ten Golfer of the Year, had received an exemption and will participate in the event at the Panther Creek Country Club.

The 22-year-old is an incoming senior at the University of Illinois and a native of Dacula, Georgia. Buchanan was recently named to the PING Third Team All-American Team and recently qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & C.C after the final round of qualifying at the Golf Club of Georgia, shooting thirteen under to take medalist honors. “I am looking forward to competing later this month in Springfield,” Buchanan said. “Having my first experience competing on the Korn Ferry TOUR in central Illinois seems right to me, given the large number of Fighting Illini fans in the area and I’m hoping they come out to watch.”

Mike Small, 2024 GCAA Midwest Coach of the Year and head golf coach at the University of Illinois said, “I am very excited about the opportunities that University of Illinois golfers have had to participate in the Korn Ferry Tour stop in Springfield. I have had a number of players take part in the tournament at Panther Creek and appreciate what they continue to build there.”

Peters said, “Jackson just made sense for us, with his record and standing on the world amateur golf rankings and the opportunity to give him his first experience on the Korn Ferry TOUR, it was a logical choice. Our goal is to provide a platform for young golfers hoping to compete at the highest level with a chance to experience the competition on the Korn Ferry Tour, do well and help prepare them to move on to the PGA TOUR.”

Fans will be able to attend the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS for free thanks to a partnership with Visit Springfield. Complimentary tickets are available at MemorialHealthChampionship.com.