The 2026 Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation was held Sept. 10–13 at the North Course of Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee. According to the PGA Tour, the event was the first tournament of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, with a $1.5 million purse and $270,000 going to the winner.
According to official tournament materials and the event results, Mexico’s Alvaro Ortiz finished solo sixth at 16 under, after challenging near the top of the leaderboard. The draft’s claim that Ortiz won the tournament and collected $180,000 does not match the 2026 results.
Tournament Overview and Course
The Simmons Bank Open was played on the North Course at Vanderbilt Legends Club, a par-70 layout measuring 7,197 yards. The field featured many of the top players in the Korn Ferry Tour points standings, making the event a significant opening contest in the race for PGA Tour status following the end of the regular season.
The 2026 tournament is the first of four Korn Ferry Tour Finals events. The first three tournaments have a 36-hole cut, while the Korn Ferry Tour Championship is played without a cut.
2026 Simmons Bank Open Purse Breakdown
The tournament’s total purse was $1.5 million. As a Finals event, it offered a larger purse than a standard Korn Ferry Tour event, which typically carries a $1 million purse. The winner received $270,000.
- 1st: $270,000
- 2nd: $165,000
- 3rd: $105,000
- 4th: $75,000
- 5th: $63,000
- 6th: $52,500
- 10th: $39,000
- 20th: $21,000
- Tied 65th: $4,170
Prize money is distributed according to the final standings. When players tie, the money assigned to the tied positions is combined and divided equally among them.
Alvaro Ortiz and the Race for PGA Tour Status
Ortiz finished sixth at 16 under par. He opened the tournament with a 61 to move into contention and remained in the hunt through the third round, but he could not complete the climb to the top in the final round.
The event was about more than the tournament title: it was also the opening stage of the points race for 2027 PGA Tour cards. The top 20 players in the final 2026 season points standings will earn PGA Tour membership for the following season.
What the Korn Ferry Tour Finals Mean
The Korn Ferry Tour is the official developmental tour for players seeking to advance to the PGA Tour. In 2026, the players who finish Nos. 1 through 20 in the final season points standings will receive 2027 PGA Tour cards. The No. 1 player will also earn spots in the following season’s THE PLAYERS Championship and the U.S. Open.
After the Simmons Bank Open, the top 132 players advance to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. The field is then reduced to 100 and 60 players, intensifying the battle for PGA Tour status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the total purse for the 2026 Simmons Bank Open?
The total purse was $1.5 million.
How much did the winner of the 2026 Simmons Bank Open receive?
The winner received $270,000.
What position did Alvaro Ortiz finish in?
Alvaro Ortiz finished solo sixth at 16 under par.
Where was the tournament held?
It was held on the North Course at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee.
How are PGA Tour cards determined in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals?
The top 20 players in the final 2026 season points standings earn PGA Tour membership for 2027.
