🗓🏌🏽‍♂️ March 2026: the Must-See Competitions on the PGA TOUR 🏆

Last update: March 9, 2026

🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, March 2-8, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida • USA

• Founded in 1966 as the Florida Citrus Open, the event moved to Bay Hill in 1979 and was renamed in 2007 to honor Arnold Palmer, who won the tournament in 1971. 

• One of the PGA Tour’s eight Signature Events, featuring a reduced field (72 players), no Monday qualifying, and a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and ties.

• The winner receives a red cardigan sweater in memory of Arnold Palmer, a tradition since 2017. 🔎Arnold Palmer (1929-2016), affectionately known as "The King," was an American professional golfer who revolutionized the sport. His dynamic playing style and charismatic personality captivated fans, transforming golf from a gentleman's game into a widely popular spectator sport. Palmer's 4 Masters Tournament victories and numerous other triumphs solidified his legendary status. Beyond his golfing achievements, he was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, leaving an enduring legacy on and off the course.

• Golf Course Architect: Bay Hill Club & Lodge was originally designed by Dick Wilson in 1961, with later modifications by Arnold Palmer.

• The winner receives a trophy that reflects Arnold Palmer’s legacy and the tournament’s prestige. The event also grants a three-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into The Open Championship.

• Notable Past Winners: Tiger Woods (8 wins, including four in a row from 2000–2003), Matt Every (defended his title in 2015), and Payne Stewart (set the tournament record of 264 in 1987).

• 💰 Purse: $20,000,000

• 💯 FedExCup: 700 pts

• Previous winner (2025): 🇺🇸 Russell Henley ($4,000,000)

• 🏆 Winner 2026: 🇺🇸 A. Bathia ($4,000,000) - Age: 24 - Turned Pro in 2019

👉🏼 Akshay Bhatia etched his name into golf history by winning the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational, securing his third PGA Tour victory and first at a Signature Event with a dramatic playoff triumph over Daniel Berger. Bhatia, who entered the final round five shots behind, staged a remarkable back-nine charge, including a crucial eagle at the 16th and four birdies, to force a sudden-death playoff, which he won with a steady par on the first extra hole. His victory earned him the tournament’s record $4 million winner’s share from a $20 million purse, and marked the first playoff at the Arnold Palmer Invitational since 1999, ending the longest active drought on the PGA Tour.

💡 Did you know that...

🐣 Born in Northridge, California, to Indian immigrant parents, Akshay Bhatia began golfing at age five after watching his older sister compete. By age eight, he had already won his first junior event.

🌎 International Success: he represented the U.S. at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, winning two silver medals. He also played on the 2017 U.S. Junior Presidents Cup and 2018 Junior Ryder Cup teams.

🏆 PGA Tour Wins: as of 2026, Bhatia has three PGA Tour victories, including the 2024 Valero Texas Open (his first full FedEx Cup points win), the 2024 Barracuda Championship and the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

✋🏾 He is one of the few left-handed players on the PGA Tour.

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is nestled in the heart of Orlando, Florida, specifically in the upscale suburb of Bay Hill, located just southwest of downtown Orlando. This prime location places the club within easy reach of Orlando’s world-famous attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, while offering a serene retreat amid rolling hills, lush landscapes, and the tranquil waters of the Butler Chain of Lakes.

🇵🇷🏌🏽‍♂️Puerto Rico Open, March 2-8, Grand Reserve Country Club, Rio Grande • Puerto Rico

• It’s the only PGA Tour event held in the Caribbean and is played opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational, offering a chance for emerging players to earn FedExCup points.

• The Puerto Rico Open was first played in 2008, but its roots go back to the 1950s and 1960s as part of the PGA-sponsored Caribbean Tour.

• Golf Course Architect: Grand Reserve Golf Club was designed by Tom Kite, the course offers scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque National Forest. 🧐 Born in 1949, Tom Kite is an American golfing legend, renowned for his consistent play and strategic brilliance. He achieved 19 PGA Tour victories, culminating in a U.S. Open Championship win at Pebble Beach in 1992. Beyond his playing career, Kite has excelled as a respected golf course architect, designing courses known for their playability and environmental sensitivity.

• The event provides a two-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into the PGA Championship.

• Notable Past Winners: Viktor Hovland (2020), Ryan Brehm (2022), Michael Bradley (only two-time winner, 2009 & 2011).

• The event was once considered “cursed” because no winner had ever won another PGA Tour event, until Viktor Hovland broke the curse in 2020.

• 💰 Purse: $4,000,000

• 💯 FedExCup: 300 pts

• Previous winner (2025): 🇦🇺 Karl Vilips ($720,000)

Rio Grande, located on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, is a picturesque town known for its stunning natural beauty and proximity to the majestic El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. This charming area is famed for its lush landscapes, golden beaches, and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular destination for both relaxation and adventure.

🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️THE PLAYERS Championship, March 10-15, TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida • USA

• Founded in 1974, THE PLAYERS is often called the “fifth major” due to its strong field, challenging course, and large purse.

• The event moved to TPC Sawgrass in 1982, where it has been held ever since.

• Golf Course Architect: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) was designed by Pete Dye, it’s famous for the iconic par-3 17th “Island Green”. The 17th hole is one of the most recognized and feared in golf.

• Notable Past Winners: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Scottie Scheffler (first back-to-back winner in 2024).

• 💰 Purse: $25,000,000

• 💯 FedExCup: 750 pts

• Previous winner (2025): (NIR) Rory McIlroy ($4,500,000) won in a playoff!

  
  

🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️Valspar Championship, March 16-22, Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, Florida • USA

• Founded in 2000, it became the Valspar Championship in 2013. The tournament is known as the “Most Colorful PGA TOUR Tournament in the World” for its vibrant atmosphere and fan engagement.

• The Copperhead Course, designed by Larry Packard, is renowned for its demanding 🐍"Snake Pit" - the challenging three-hole closing stretch (holes 16-18) that often determines the tournament's outcome. Unlike many Florida courses, the Copperhead features significant elevation changes and tree-lined fairways, making it one of the most unique and demanding tests on Tour.

• Notable Past Winners: Sam Burns (2021, 2022), Paul Casey (2018, 2019), Retief Goosen, K.J. Choi.

• The tournament celebrates everyday heroes (healthcare workers and first responders) with free “Heroes Appreciation Tickets”.

• 💰 Purse: $9,100,000

• 💯 FedExCup: 500 pts

• Previous winner (2025): 🇳🇴 Viktor Hovland ($1,566,000) won by one stroke over Justin Thomas.

The Copperhead Course is located in Palm Harbor, on Florida’s west coast, a short drive from the Gulf of Mexico. Set within the wooded grounds of Innisbrook Resort, it sits in a rolling, tree-lined landscape that’s unusual for Florida, offering a cooler, quieter atmosphere than the state’s coastal resort courses while remaining close to major cities and beaches.

🇺🇸🏌🏽‍♂️Texas Children’s Houston Open, March 23-29, Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas • USA

• One of the oldest PGA Tour events, dating back to 1946. It has been held at various Houston venues, returning to Memorial Park in 2020 after a major renovation. 

• The only PGA Tour event played on a public municipal course.

• The Memorial Park Golf Course, originally established in 1912 for convalescent soldiers, was redesigned in 1935 by legendary architect John Bredemus. In 2019, the Astros Golf Foundation led a $34 million renovation, enlisting renowned architect Tom Doak and player consultant Brooks Koepka to completely rebuild every hole, green, and tee box. The project introduced state-of-the-art drainage and irrigation systems, a new driving range, and a First Tee facility, ensuring sustainability and modern playability.

• The tournament is known for its strong community impact and has hosted some of golf’s greatest players. Notable Past Winners: Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, Tony Finau.

• 💰 Purse: $9,900,000

• 💯 FedExCup: 500 pts

• Previous winner (2025): 🇦🇺 Min Woo Lee ($1,710,000) won with an impressive performance, marking his 1st victory on the PGA Tour.

Houston, located in southeast Texas, is the 4th largest city in the US and a major hub for energy, space exploration, and international business. Known for its cultural diversity, vibrant food scene, and warm climate, the city is also home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a growing sports and arts community, making it one of America’s most dynamic metropolitan areas.

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