Winning your first PGA Tour event should be a pure celebration. Steven Fisk experienced something different on Sunday—hoisting a trophy while potentially witnessing the final chapter of Mississippi’s 57-year PGA Tour story. The rookie’s breakthrough came with a side of heartbreak that even his career-best 8-under 64 couldn’t erase.

Minutes after securing the 2025 Sanderson Farms Championship, Fisk sat in the press conference room, fielding congratulations when the uncomfortable question arrived. “There’s a lot of speculation that this might have been the last Sanderson Farms Championship. Any thoughts about that?”

His response cut through the celebration like a cold wind. “I think Sanderson Farms did a great job this week. It’s obviously the only year I’ve been here, but in my opinion, it was a first-class event on a great golf course that provided a really good test for us. To them, thank you very much for being here this year,” Fisk said, his appreciation genuine despite the somber undertones.

“If it is the last one, that stinks, but hopefully everybody had a good time today with how everything finished.”  “That stinks.” Just like that, Fisk summed up what could be the end of Mississippi’s only PGA Tour event since 1968.

Fisk’s victory carried extra weight beyond the sponsorship drama. The tournament provides crucial opportunities for players chasing FedEx Cup status, with only the top 100 after the fall series earning full tour cards for 2026. For many in the field, this wasn’t just about prize money—it was about survival on tour.

Wayne Sanderson Farms is walking away after 13 years as the title sponsor. The company has already announced that this will be its final year backing the championship. Tournament director Steve Jent now faces a brutal reality—no new sponsor means no tournament in 2026.

“We are still on the search for a new partner to take over that title sponsor relationship; we just don’t have anything to announce yet,” Jent said. “We are still in a wait-and-see mode. We have had some good conversations, but nothing to announce.”

The PGA Tour isn’t making things easier. Fall events now pay $125,000 directly to the tour in 2025. That fee doubles to $250,000 in 2026. The purse dropped $1.6 million from last year, with the winner’s check $288,000 lighter. These numbers matter when you’re trying to attract a new title sponsor.

Mississippi’s PGA Tour legacy since 1968 faces an uncertain future

The tournament started in Hattiesburg back in 1968 as the Magnolia State Classic. Nearly six decades later, it has become more than just golf. Century Club Charities has raised over $24 million for Mississippi causes since 1994. Friends of Children’s Hospital stands as the primary beneficiary, supporting care for nearly 200,000 children annually.

Wayne Sanderson Farms didn’t just slap their name on an event. Their partnership elevated the tournament from alternate status to full PGA Tour recognition in 2019. That upgrade brought Masters qualification for winners and increased FedEx Cup points.

The economic impact extends beyond charitable giving. The tournament generates approximately $40 million annually for Jackson through hotel, restaurant, and local spending. That’s 350 jobs during tournament week and worldwide television exposure reaching 330 million potential viewers.

“The preference is to stay in Mississippi. The players love the course, and it’s a great stop on the tour,” Jent emphasized. The Country Club of Jackson has become a player favorite since hosting the event in 2014.

But preferences don’t pay bills. The PGA Tour will announce its 2026 fall schedule soon. Without a sponsor, Mississippi won’t be on it. Spring 2026 represents the absolute final deadline before Jent might explore Champions Tour or Korn Ferry Tour alternatives—neither of which offers the prestige or prize money of a PGA Tour stop.

Fisk’s “that stinks” suddenly feels like the most accurate assessment of what Mississippi golf faces. A 57-year tradition could end not with celebration, but with a rookie’s reluctant acknowledgment of reality.