🗓🏌🏽♂️April 2026: the Must-See Competitions on the PGA TOUR🏆(updated with the Winners)
- Apr 1
- 8 min read
Updated: May 4
Last update: May 4, 2026
🇺🇸🏌🏽♂️Valero Texas Open, APR 2-5, TPC San Antonio Oaks Course, San Antonio, Texas • USA
The Valero Texas Open is the third-oldest PGA TOUR event, first played in 1922. It is the longest-running tournament to be held in the same city (San Antonio) throughout its history. The event celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022 and has been a staple for both rising stars and golf legends like Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Jordan Spieth.
Since 2010, it has been played at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course, designed to blend natural terrain with a challenging layout for professionals.
The Oaks Course was designed by Greg Norman in collaboration with Pete Dye and Sergio Garcia as a consulting player. The Oaks Course is celebrated for its challenging closing holes (16-18), where wind and elevated greens often decide the champion.
The Valero Texas Open is renowned for its charitable impact, raising over $281 million for local causes since Valero became the title sponsor in 2002. In 2025, the tournament set a record by raising $25 million for charity.
The tournament is often the last chance for players to qualify for the Masters, adding extra drama and intensity.
💰 Purse: $9,800,000
💯 FedExCup: 500 pts
Previous winner (2025): 🇺🇸 Brian Harman ($1,710,000)
🏆 Winner 2026: 🇺🇸 J.J. Spaun ($1,764,000) - Age: 35 - Turned Pro in 2012
👉🏼 J.J. Spaun emerged as the champion of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, securing his second victory at this prestigious PGA Tour event (following his first in 2022) and his third on the PGA Tour (winner 2025 US Open). The tournament, held at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course in San Antonio, Texas, concluded on April 5, 2026, under challenging weather conditions, including rain and strong winds. Spaun’s final round was particularly impressive: he carded a 5-under 67, finishing the 72-hole stroke-play championship at 17-under par. This performance earned him 48 Official World Golf Ranking points, further solidifying his position among the world’s top golfers.
The 2026 Valero Texas Open was notable not only for Spaun’s triumph but also for the dramatic final day, which saw players battling both the course and the elements. Spaun’s victory was sealed with two crucial shots: a birdie and an eagle, which propelled him to a one-stroke lead over his closest competitors. With this victory, Spaun also secured his spot in the 2026 Masters Tournament, although he had already qualified through his U.S. Open win.
💡 Did you know that...
👶 He was introduced to golf before he was born: his mother was still playing golf while pregnant with him, so golf has literally been part of his life from the very beginning!
J.J. Spaun is of Filipino and Mexican heritage, making him one of the few players on the PGA Tour representing that diverse background, which he’s proud of.
🎯 He needed 147 starts to win on the PGA Tour: Spaun’s first PGA Tour victory in 2022 came after 147 tournaments.
⛳ College golf standout: he played at San Diego State University, the same program that produced players like Xander Schauffele.
🎯 Known for accuracy over power: Spaun isn’t one of the longest hitters, but he’s built his success on precision and consistency.
😅 Once nearly quit golf: before breaking through, he seriously considered giving up the sport due to struggles and injuries.
🇺🇸🏌🏽♂️Masters Tournament, APR 9-12, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia • USA
Founded in 1934 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the Masters is the first men’s major of the year and is steeped in tradition. The Masters is famous for its green jacket, azaleas and Amen Corner.
Augusta National was co-designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, with Jones’s vision for a course that would test every aspect of a golfer’s game.
The winner receives the famous Green Jacket, which must be returned to the club after one year (though winners get a replica to keep).
The Champions Dinner, held on the Tuesday before the tournament, is hosted by the previous year’s winner, who selects the menu.
The Masters is the only major played at the same course every year, and tickets (called “badges”) are notoriously difficult to obtain.
The winner is awarded the Masters Trophy, a silver replica of the clubhouse, and a gold medal. The Green Jacket is the most coveted symbol of victory.
💰 Purse 2026: $22,500,000
💯 FedExCup: 750 pts
Previous winner (2025): (NIR) Rory McIlroy ($4,200,000)
🏆 Winner 2026: (NIR) Rory McIlroy ($4,500,000) - Age: 36 - Turned Pro in 2007
👉🏼 Rory McIlroy successfully defended his title at the 90th Masters. He delivered a dramatic and highly controlled performance to secure back-to-back Green Jackets, a rare achievement previously accomplished by legends such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. McIlroy finished the tournament at -12 (276 total), edging out world No.1 Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke after an intense final round. Entering Sunday trailing by two shots, McIlroy produced a composed and strategic round under pressure, capitalizing on key moments on the back nine, particularly through precise iron play and clutch putting, to overturn the deficit and take the lead late in the round. By winning again after his 2025 triumph, McIlroy confirmed his dominance in the modern era and joined an elite group of players to successfully defend their Masters title, further cementing his legacy in major championship history. McIlroy earned $4.5 million of a record purse of $22.5 million for his 6th career victory in a major and 30th PGA TOUR title!
🇺🇸🏌🏽♂️RBC Heritage, APR 16-19, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina • USA
The RBC Heritage began in 1969 and is known for its scenic setting and strong fields, often attracting top players the week after the Masters.
Harbour Town was designed by Pete Dye with input from Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1967. The course is famous for its small greens, tight fairways, and the iconic 18th hole with its lighthouse.
The winner receives a tartan plaid jacket, a tradition unique to this event, symbolizing the heritage and lifestyle of Hilton Head Island.
The tournament is known for its relaxed, fan-friendly atmosphere and has a significant economic impact on the local community.
The course record is 61, shared by David Frost, Troy Merritt, and Justin Thomas.
The champion is awarded the Sir William Innes Champions Trophy and the tartan plaid jacket.
💰 Purse: $20,000,000
💯 FedExCup: 700 pts
Previous winner (2025): 🇺🇸 Justin Thomas ($3,600,000) won in a playoff, ending a nearly three-year victory drought and capturing his 16th PGA TOUR title.
🏆 Winner 2026: 🏴 Matt Fitzpatrick ($3,600,000) - Age: 31 - Turned Pro in 2014
👉🏼 Matt Fitzpatrick claimed his second victory (first in 2023) at the prestigious tournament in dramatic fashion. Fitzpatrick, the English golfer, entered the final round with a three-shot lead but found himself in a playoff with world number one Scottie Scheffler after bogeying the 72nd hole in regulation. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Fitzpatrick birdied the first playoff hole with a clutch 13-foot putt, securing the iconic plaid jacket. This victory marked Fitzpatrick’s second PGA Tour win of the 2026 season, following his earlier triumph at the Valspar Championship, and solidified his status as one of the tour’s most consistent performers.
💡 Did you know that...
Early Golf Success: Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2012 Boys Amateur Championship and the 2013 U.S. Amateur, becoming the first player since Bob Jones to simultaneously hold low-amateur honors at both The Open Championship (2013) and the U.S. Open Championship (2014).
He turned professional in 2014 and quickly established himself on the European Tour, winning his first professional event at the 2015 British Masters.
He won the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club, becoming only the second player (after Jack Nicklaus) to win both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open at the same venue.
Ryder Cup: he represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2016, 2021, 2023 and 2025.
His younger brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, is also a professional golfer.
🇺🇸🏌🏽♂️Zurich Classic of New Orleans, APR 23-26, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana • USA
The Zurich Classic dates back to 1938 and is the only team event on the PGA TOUR, featuring a two-man team format. The tournament has a rich history and has been played at TPC Louisiana since 2005.
TPC Louisiana was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2004.
The event is unique for its team format, with players competing in both foursomes and four-ball rounds.
The tournament has a strong charitable impact, generating over $28 million for local causes since 2005.
💰 Purse: $9,500,000
💯 FedExCup: 400 pts
Previous winner (2025): 🇺🇸 Andrew Novak, Ben Griffin ($1,329,400) won in dramatic fashion, each earning their first TOUR title.
🏆 Winner 2026: 🏴 Matt Fitzpatrick - Age: 31 - Turned Pro in 2014 & 🏴 Alex Fitzpatrick - Age: 27 - Turned Pro in 2022 - 💰$1,372,750 each.
👉🏼 The 2026 edition of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans delivered one of the most memorable moments in recent PGA Tour history, as brothers Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick claimed a dramatic and historic victory. They became the first brothers ever to win a PGA Tour event together, sealing the title with a birdie on the final hole at TPC Louisiana. Their triumph was not only emotional but also highly significant: it secured Alex Fitzpatrick a full PGA Tour card and elevated Matt’s already outstanding 2026 season. The Fitzpatrick brothers finished at −31, holding off a tightly contested leaderboard in the PGA Tour’s only official team event.
💡 Did you know that...
Alex Fitzpatrick previously caddied for his older brother Matt earlier in his career, making this win a full-circle moment.
This victory secured Alex a PGA Tour card through 2028 and entry into major championships
This was Matt Fitzpatrick’s third PGA Tour win of the 2026 season, confirming his status among the world’s elite.
🇺🇸🏌🏽♂️Cadillac Championship, APR 30 - MAY 3, Trump National Doral (Blue Monster), Miami, Florida • USA
The Cadillac Championship marks the PGA TOUR’s return to Trump National Doral after a decade away. The event was previously known as the WGC-Cadillac Championship (2011–2016) and has a storied past dating back to 1962.
The Blue Monster was originally designed by Dick Wilson and later updated by Gil Hanse. The course is famous for its length, water hazards, and the iconic 18th hole.
Past winners at Doral include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Adam Scott (2016).
The event is a new Signature Event on the PGA TOUR schedule and will not carry over historical records from previous Doral tournaments.
💰 Purse: $20,000,000
💯 FedExCup: 700 pts
🏆 Winner 2026: 🇺🇸 Cameron Young ($3,600,000) - Age: 28 - Turned Pro in 2019
👉🏼 Young delivered a wire-to-wire victory, finishing at 19-under-par, and closed with a final-round 68 to secure a six-shot win, one of the largest margins on the PGA Tour that season. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, finished runner-up at 13-under-par, marking his third consecutive second-place finish on Tour at the time. Young entered the final round already leading by six strokes and never allowed the chasing pack to close the gap, extending his advantage with a composed and aggressive front nine.
💡 Did you know that...
This victory was particularly significant as it marked Young’s third PGA Tour win and his second of the 2026 season, confirming his rise into golf’s elite tier. It also came just weeks after his breakthrough win at The Players Championship, reinforcing his status as one of the hottest players on Tour.
He is widely regarded as one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour, capable of drives exceeding 350 yards, combining power with high ball speed.
His father, David Young, is a highly respected PGA professional and longtime club pro, which gave him early access to elite coaching, facilities, and competitive experience from a very young age.
