2026 Simmons Bank Championship news, playoff-field updates, highlights, Charles Schwab Cup advancement storylines, and leaderboard movement from Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Little Rock, Arkansas — Pleasant Valley Country Club
Explore Simmons Bank Championship history, Pleasant Valley Country Club, past champions, Arkansas charity impact, and the tournament's place as the second event of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.
View HistoryFollow the 2026 event preview, top-54 playoff field, projected top-36 advancement line, defending-champion coverage, and highlights as the postseason continues in Little Rock.
Event PreviewReview Pleasant Valley's Joe Finger design, tree-lined Bermuda fairways, eight ponds, rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, ultra-dwarf Bermuda greens, and scoring opportunities.
Pleasant Valley Course GuideCompetition Dates: October 30-November 1, 2026
Tournament Week: October 26-November 1, 2026
Venue: Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, Arkansas
Format: 54-hole Charles Schwab Cup Playoff event
Purse: $2.3 million
Tour: PGA TOUR Champions
Field: Top 54 in Charles Schwab Cup standings
Defending Champion: Steven Alker
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens is the second event of the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The top 54 players continue the postseason in Little Rock, double points are available, and only the top 36 in the standings after Sunday advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
The 2026 Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens is scheduled for October 30-November 1 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas, during tournament week October 26 through November 1. This section will move from preview coverage into round-by-round recaps and highlights once tournament play begins.
CaddyBytes 🏆 Tournament Preview: The three-round PGA TOUR Champions playoff event features a $2.3 million purse and the top 54 players remaining in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Pleasant Valley's par-72, 7,101-yard layout rewards confident driving, water management, precise wedge play, aggressive par-5 scoring, and strong putting on ultra-dwarf Bermudagrass greens.
The second playoff event carries double points and immediate elimination pressure, with only the top 36 advancing to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Steven Alker returns as defending champion after winning the 2025 tournament at 20-under 196 by seven strokes.
Tournament-week coverage will follow the finalized playoff field, tee times, Little Rock weather, Pleasant Valley setup, projected top-36 advancement positions, opening-round scoring, leaderboard movement, weekend contenders, charitable events, video highlights, Golf Channel coverage, and the latest news from Arkansas.
| Coverage Area | Current Status | Tournament-Week Update |
|---|---|---|
| Playoff Field | Top 54 qualify | Final field, withdrawals, alternates, featured groups, and Charles Schwab Cup positions |
| Course | Pleasant Valley Country Club | Setup, Bermuda conditions, ponds, scoring holes, green speeds, and key closing stretches |
| Live Scoring | Begins October 30 | Round-by-round leaderboard movement and projected top-36 advancement line |
| Highlights | Preview mode | Official video and CaddyBytes recap updates during play |
What to watch: Players who drive confidently through tree-lined corridors, avoid penalty strokes around the ponds, create repeated wedge opportunities, convert birdies on the four par 5s, and remain aggressive without losing sight of the top-36 line should be positioned to contend.
Coverage plan: This preview will be replaced with the latest completed-round recap, scoreboard, highlights, projected advancement line, and next-round outlook as the championship progresses.
The official preview or highlights video will be embedded here when available.
2026 Simmons Bank Championship preview and tournament-update video area.