SAS Championship 2026: Exciting 2026 Ultimate Guide
October 13, 2026 · By Justin Wilcox
In October, the city of Cary, North Carolina gets to enjoy the same excitement in the form of competition, talk, and community that it enjoys every year. The SAS Championship will play host to a total of three rounds of golf at the Prestonwood Country Club from October 16 to 18, 2026.
The SAS Championship is an opportunity for golf enthusiasts to witness some professional players play golf on a well-known track. At the same time, it also provides an avenue for the locals to enjoy food, running, education, and charity programs during the same period. Therefore, the SAS Championship is more than a leader board and a prize money event. What makes the SAS Championship attractive is not only what happens on the course but also off it.
This guide covers the schedule, course, player field, prize money, tickets, and community events.
What Is the SAS Championship 2026?
The SAS Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, which features eligible professional golfers aged 50 and older. The 2026 competition is scheduled for 54 holes across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the lowest total score deciding the champion. The tournament takes place at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. The course is listed as a par 72 layout measuring 7,237 yards. Those figures provide useful context, but the final result will depend on much more than distance. Players must manage approach shots, control their pace around the greens, and avoid costly mistakes when pressure rises late in the round.
The event also has a broader local purpose. Organizers combine the professional competition with activities for families, students, runners, and community partners. This community focus has become an important part of the SAS Championship identity. That blend gives the week a wider identity than a traditional golf tournament alone.
SAS Championship 2026 Dates and Schedule
Championship week begins on Monday, October 12, and continues through Sunday, October 18. Public spectator access to the course is scheduled for the three main competition days, October 16–18. Earlier days include pro-am events, practice rounds, and other programmes.
| Date | Planned activity |
| Monday, October 12 | Prestonwood Pro-Am |
| Tuesday, October 13 | Women’s Day, open qualifier, and practice rounds |
| Wednesday, October 14 | SAS Pro-Am |
| Thursday, October 15 | SAS Pro-Am |
| Friday, October 16 | First round, Folds of Honor Friday, Food Truck Friday, and Fairway to Fun |
| Saturday, October 17 | Second round, SAS Championship 5K, and HBCU Invitational rounds |
| Sunday, October 18 | Final round and HBCU Invitational final round |
Friday has a particularly varied programme. Alongside the opening round, Fairway to Fun is planned for the late afternoon and evening, with family activities and a fireworks finale announced by SAS. That mix gives the SAS Championship a welcoming atmosphere beyond the course. Saturday’s 5K offers runners and walkers a chance to use the tournament setting before the day’s golf. The schedule may be adjusted, so visitors should confirm timings with the official event calendar.
Where Is the SAS Championship Being Played?
The tournament takes place at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina, part of the Raleigh-area Triangle region. The venue has been the home of the SAS Championship for many years. The course is listed as a par 72 layout measuring 7,237 yards. Its established place on the tournament calendar makes it a familiar setting for returning players and regular followers.
Visitors travelling from outside the region should check transport, accommodation, and traffic arrangements before arriving. The tournament’s fan information says free public parking is available at Bond Park, with shuttle service to the main entrance. VIP parking at Prestonwood may be available as a paid add-on, subject to the official ticket details.
The venue also helps connect the event with the surrounding community. Local food vendors, charity activities, and family programming bring people to the area beyond the golf itself. For anyone attending, the practical details matter: check the day’s schedule, review the bag policy, and keep digital tickets ready before leaving for the course.
Who Is Playing in the SAS Championship?
The published PGA TOUR Champions field lists a broad group of experienced professionals. Interest in the SAS Championship often centres on how these veterans handle the pressure of a three-round event. Alex Cejka enters as the defending champion after winning the 2025 event. The official field page is the most reliable source for the current player list because tournament entries and availability can change.
Other names associated with the senior circuit include Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, and Vijay Singh. Their careers span major championships, international competition, and long runs at the highest level of professional golf. However, a player’s place in the broader Champions circuit does not by itself confirm that the golfer will start in this specific event.
The contest is likely to reward steady play across all three rounds. On a 54-hole schedule, a strong opening day can create an advantage, but the final round often tests patience and decision-making. Fans can follow confirmed entries, tee times, and results through the official PGA TOUR Champions tournament page rather than relying on older field previews.
Prize Money, Payout, and Tournament Format
The official tournament overview lists a total purse of $2.3 million, with $345,000 allocated to the winner. Those figures place the SAS Championship among the notable events on the circuit’s calendar. The final distribution among other finishers depends on the tournament’s official payout schedule and final standings. The winner’s share is therefore a useful headline figure, but it does not describe the full prize distribution.
The event uses a 54-hole format over three days. Players complete one round on Friday, another on Saturday, and the final round on Sunday. The golfer with the lowest aggregate score wins. If players finish tied, the tournament’s rules determine how the title is settled.
A short tournament can make every hole feel important. A missed short putt on Friday can matter just as much as a difficult recovery late on Sunday, because every stroke counts toward the total. Course management, accuracy, and calm decision-making can be as important as hitting the ball a long way. Fans looking for live standings should use the official leaderboard, where scores update as play progresses.
Tickets, Parking, and Spectator Information
Tickets for the main tournament days are digital, and the official fan guide states that tickets are not sold at the admissions gate. Visitors should buy tickets through the official ticketing link and check how to access them on a mobile device before arriving. Printed tickets are not accepted under the published policy.
Free public parking is available at Bond Park, followed by a shuttle to the tournament entrance. VIP parking at the country club may be offered as an additional purchase. The official policy also lists free grounds passes for children aged 16 and under, active and retired military personnel, first responders, and SAS employees. Eligibility and entry requirements should be checked directly with the organizers.
Bag rules are strict. The fan guide prohibits bags larger than a small purse, while approved clear bags must be smaller than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Medical bags and diaper bags are listed as exceptions. Camera rules and other security restrictions can also affect what visitors bring, so a quick review of the fan guide can prevent delays at the gate.
The event offers different ticket experiences, including general admission and hospitality options. The official SAS Championship ticket page explains what each available package includes. Premium areas may include reserved seating, food, or beverage service, depending on the package. Prices and inclusions can change, so the ticket page should be checked before purchase.
Community Events and Charitable Impact
The week includes activities designed to connect golf with education, families, and local organizations. SAS says the tournament and its fans have helped direct more than $6 million to youth education and community programmes through the YMCA of the Triangle. For 2026, SAS has announced a $220,000 contribution connected with the event and the YMCA’s Y Learning Intervention programme.
The HBCU Invitational is another key part of the week. The 2026 event is scheduled for October 17 and 18, with 15 teams from 12 historically Black colleges and universities. SAS has announced $30,000 in honoraria for participating golf programmes. Students are also expected to take part in a career day at SAS headquarters, creating links between sport, education, and professional opportunities.
Folds of Honor Friday recognises service members and first responders, with scholarship support among the planned activities. Meanwhile, Fairway to Fun is designed for families and students, featuring hands-on experiences connected with data and artificial intelligence. These programmes help explain why the tournament has a local impact beyond the final score.
Is Phil Mickelson Still Playing on the Senior Tour?
Phil Mickelson has been eligible for PGA TOUR Champions because the circuit is designed for golfers aged 50 and older, but eligibility is not the same as confirmed participation in a particular tournament. His appearance at the SAS Championship should not be assumed unless his name appears on the official 2026 field list or a tournament announcement confirms it.
The distinction matters because a golfer may remain eligible for a tour while choosing a different schedule or not entering a specific event. The most dependable approach is to check the current field and tee times close to tournament week. The SAS Championship field can change, and older articles may describe previous seasons rather than the 2026 entries.
Why the Senior Tour Field Is Worth Following
The PGA TOUR Champions circuit gives established professionals another competitive stage after their main-tour careers. Fans can see players with different styles and career histories compete over a shorter 54-hole format. That creates a different rhythm from many full-field, four-round tournaments.
The event also puts experience on display. Players must judge when to attack a pin, when to play safely, and how to handle pressure as the leaderboard changes. Younger fans may recognise famous names, while long-time followers can compare current performances with memorable moments from earlier careers. The final field and live scoring remain the best way to follow who is actually competing in Cary.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 tournament combines three days of professional golf with a full week of community activities. That combination remains central to the SAS Championship’s appeal for both local visitors and travelling fans. Prestonwood Country Club provides the setting, while the published schedule includes pro-am events, a 5K, food trucks, family programming, and the HBCU Invitational. The $2.3 million purse adds a clear competitive focus, but the week’s wider programmes are also central to the event’s identity.
For spectators, preparation is straightforward: confirm the schedule, buy digital tickets in advance, review parking and bag rules, and check the player field shortly before attending. For fans following from home, the official tournament page provides field details and live scoring. With competition and community programmes sharing the calendar, the week offers several reasons to keep an eye on Cary in October.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 tournament’s main competition rounds are scheduled for October 16 through October 18.
- Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina, hosts the three-round professional golf competition.
- The course is listed as par 72 and measures 7,237 yards for tournament play.
- The official PGA TOUR Champions overview lists a total prize purse of $2.3 million.
- The published winner’s share is $345,000, subject to official tournament payout information.
- Alex Cejka returns as defending champion after winning the 2025 tournament at Prestonwood Country Club.
- Championship week includes pro-am events, practice rounds, a 5K, food trucks, and family activities.
- Free public parking is available at Bond Park, with a shuttle to the tournament entrance.
- Digital tickets are required, and the official fan guide says tickets are unavailable at the gate.
- The event supports youth education and community programmes through its partnership with the YMCA of the Triangle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the payout for the SAS Championship?
No, single figure describes every player’s payout. The official PGA TOUR Champions overview lists a $2.3 million total purse and a $345,000 winner’s share for the 2026 event. Other finishers receive amounts based on their final positions and the official distribution. The complete payout should be confirmed through tournament results after the competition ends.
Where is the SAS Championship being played?
Yes, the 2026 tournament is scheduled for Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. The course is listed as par 72 and 7,237 yards. Spectators should check the official fan guide for parking, shuttle details, entry requirements, and the daily schedule before travelling to the venue.
What does the SAS Championship stand for?
No, “SAS” is not an abbreviation created specifically for the golf event. The tournament takes its name from SAS, the analytics and AI company headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. The company supports the event and its community programmes, including initiatives focused on youth education and STEM opportunities through local partners.
What is the hardest major to win?
No, single major is universally recognised as the hardest to win. The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship each present different challenges. Course setup, weather, field strength, and a player’s own strengths all affect difficulty. This question is broader than the SAS Championship, which is a separate PGA TOUR Champions event.
Did Tommy Fleetwood win?
No, confirmed connection between Tommy Fleetwood and the 2026 SAS Championship result should be assumed. The event is scheduled for October 16–18, 2026, so its final result is not established before play concludes. Tommy Fleetwood’s results in other tournaments are separate from this event and should be checked against the relevant official leaderboard.