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🗓🏌🏽‍♂️ January 2026: the Must-See Competitions on the PGA TOUR 🏆(updated with the Winners)

  • clairebambino
  • Jan 9
  • 4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Last update: January 19, 2026


🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️Sony Open in Hawaii, JAN 12-18, Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Oahu • USA


  • The Sony Open in Hawaii is the PGA TOUR’s first full-field event of the year, marking its 28th anniversary in 2026. It has been held at Waialae Country Club since 1965, originally known as the Hawaiian Open. The tournament is renowned for its scenic beauty, with lush fairways and Pacific Ocean views, and for its strong tradition of giving back to the local community through charity initiatives.

  • 📐Waialae Country Club was designed by Seth Raynor, a prominent golf course architect known for his classic, strategic designs. Over the decades, the layout has seen modifications and renovations by other architects including Robert Trent Jones, Desmond Muirhead and Tom Doak.

  • In 2007, amateur Tadd Fujikawa became the second youngest player (16 years, 4 days) to make a 36-hole cut in a PGA TOUR event, highlighted by a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole.

  • The tournament has seen multiple winners, including major champions like Hubert Green, Corey Pavin, Lanny Wadkins, Ernie Els, and Jimmy Walker.

  • 💰 Purse: $9,100,000

  • 💯 FedExCup: 500 pts

  • Previous winner (2025): 🇨🇦 Nick Taylor ($1,566,000)

  • 🏆 Winner 2026: 🇺🇸 Chris Gotterup ($1,638,000) - Age: 26 - Turned Pro in 2022

👉🏼 Chris Gotterup secured his third PGA Tour title in dramatic fashion at the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii. He carded a final-round 6-under 64, finishing at 16-under par, two shots clear of Ryan Gerard. This win not only made him the first champion of the 2026 PGA Tour season but also continued his streak of winning at least one tournament in each of the past three years.

Gotterup entered the final round within striking distance of the lead and surged ahead with a bogey-free 64, one of the lowest scores of the day. His victory was highlighted by clutch putting and precise iron play, especially on the back nine, where he made several birdies to pull away from the field. This win earned him $1.638 million, the largest paycheck of his career to date.

💡 Did you know that...

☄️ Gotterup earned his first PGA Tour victory in 2024, quickly establishing himself as a rising star with his powerful driving and aggressive style of play. He is known for his ability to perform under pressure, with multiple top-10 finishes in major championships and FedEx Cup events. He is recognized for his long drives and a fearless approach to course management, often taking on risky shots that pay off.

⚾️ Before focusing on golf, he was a standout baseball player in high school and even considered pursuing a career in baseball.

🐅 He cites Tiger Woods as his biggest inspiration and has modeled parts of his game after Woods’ aggressive, never-back-down attitude.

🎣 Gotterup is an avid fisherman and enjoys spending time on the water when he’s not competing.

👏🏽 He is actively involved in junior golf programs, frequently hosting clinics and donating equipment to young players in his home state of New Jersey.

Hawaii
Hawaii is made up of 137 islands in total, but the archipelago is best known for its 8 main islands. These are: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, Kahoolawe.

🇺🇸🏌🏻🏌🏽‍♂️The American Express, JAN 19-25, PGA WEST - La Quinta Country Club, La Quinta, California • USA


  • Founded in 1960 as the Palm Springs Golf Classic, the tournament has evolved through various sponsorships and formats. It is now known for its unique pro-am format, where 156 professionals are paired with 156 amateurs for the first three rounds. The event has generated over $67 million in charitable contributions since its inception.

  • 📐Pete Dye (Stadium Course) and Jack Nicklaus (Tournament Course) are the architects behind the iconic PGA WEST courses. La Quinta Country Club, another host, was designed by Lawrence Hughes.

  • 🎤The tournament is famous for its celebrity pro-am and concert series, making it a favorite for both players and fans. The 2026 edition will feature headliners Old Dominion and OneRepublic 🎵

  • 💰 Purse: $9,200,000

  • 💯 FedExCup: 500 pts

  • Previous winner (2025): 🇦🇹 Sepp Straka ($1,584,000)

La Quinta Country Club, California
Located in La Quinta, California, within the scenic Coachella Valley, the Country Club enjoys a prime desert setting at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, just minutes from Palm Springs. The region boasts a hot desert climate, with over 300 days of sunshine annually, mild winters, and warm, dry summers. Perfect for year-round golf and outdoor activities.

🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️Farmers Insurance Open, JAN 29 - FEB 1, Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, California • USA


  • Founded in 1952 as the San Diego Open, the tournament has been held at Torrey Pines since 1968. It is known for its challenging courses and stunning ocean views. The event has a rich history of producing hall-of-fame winners and dramatic finishes.

  • 📐Torrey Pines was designed by William F. Bell and later renovated by his son, William P. Bell.

  • 💡Tiger Woods is the only seven-time winner of the event, and Phil Mickelson is the only other player to win more than twice.

  • 💰 Purse: $9,600,000

  • 💯 FedExCup: 500 pts

  • Previous winner (2025): 🇺🇸 Harris English ($1,674,000)

San Diego, California
Aerial View of San Diego, California, USA - San Diego is a stunning coastal city known for its 70 miles of pristine beaches, year-round mild Mediterranean climate, and vibrant cultural scene. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and rolling hills, it offers everything from world-class surfing and golf at Torrey Pines to historic sites like the USS Midway Museum and the lively Gaslamp Quarter.


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