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.
Darren Fichardt fired a tournament-record-tying 11-under 61 to reach 14-under 130 and take a one-stroke lead after Round 2 of the 2026 Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens at Pleasant Valley Country Club. First-round leader Zach Johnson is second at 13 under, with Steven Alker and Henrik Stenson tied for third at 11 under.
CaddyBytes 🏆 2026 Simmons Bank Championship Round 2 Recap: Fichardt turned Saturday into a charge at 59, playing holes 2 through 5 in five under with three birdies and an eagle before adding five consecutive birdies from Nos. 7 through 11. Six straight pars slowed the run, but a closing birdie at the par-5 18th completed a career-low 61 and moved him from three under to 14 under.
Johnson followed his opening 64 with a 67 and will begin the final round just one stroke back. Defending champion Alker added a 67, while Stenson posted a 68 to share third place three shots behind the leader. Michael Block, Ricardo Gonzalez, Retief Goosen and Jerry Kelly are tied for fifth at 9 under.
With no cut in the 54-hole playoff event, every player advances to Sunday's final round. The tournament title and the final top-36 positions for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship will be decided over the last 18 holes at Pleasant Valley.
Darren Fichardt leads Zach Johnson by one stroke after matching the tournament's 18-hole scoring record with an 11-under 61. All 12 players occupying the Top 10 positions and ties are included below.
| Position | Player | Score | R1 | R2 | Total | Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Fichardt | -14 | 69 | 61 | 130 | Leader |
| 2 | Zach Johnson | -13 | 64 | 67 | 131 | 1 shot |
| T3 | Steven Alker | -11 | 66 | 67 | 133 | 3 shots |
| T3 | Henrik Stenson | -11 | 65 | 68 | 133 | 3 shots |
| T5 | Michael Block | -9 | 66 | 69 | 135 | 5 shots |
| T5 | Ricardo Gonzalez | -9 | 68 | 67 | 135 | 5 shots |
| T5 | Retief Goosen | -9 | 69 | 66 | 135 | 5 shots |
| T5 | Jerry Kelly | -9 | 68 | 67 | 135 | 5 shots |
| T9 | Stephen Ames | -8 | 68 | 68 | 136 | 6 shots |
| T9 | K.J. Choi | -8 | 71 | 65 | 136 | 6 shots |
| T9 | Richard Green | -8 | 66 | 70 | 136 | 6 shots |
| T9 | Mario Tiziani | -8 | 69 | 67 | 136 | 6 shots |
Leaderboard note: Top 10 positions and ties shown after the completed second round.
Final-round outlook: Fichardt and Johnson will begin Sunday separated by one stroke, with Alker and Stenson close enough to apply immediate pressure. Low scoring remains available, but the playoff stakes add another test for players near the top-36 advancement line.
The official Round 2 or tournament highlights video will be embedded here when it is released.
2026 Simmons Bank Championship Round 2 recap and future highlights video area.