The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee returns to the Monterey Peninsula this week, bringing PGA Tour Champions players, junior golfers and some of the most recognizable scenery in the sport back together at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
The 2026 tournament runs Sept. 18-20 and marks the 23rd edition of an event that has developed an identity unlike anything else on the PGA Tour Champions schedule.
Advertisement
MORE: Angela Stanford Backs U.S. Choices After Solheim Cup Loss To Europe
While the professionals will compete for a $2.4 million purse and $360,000 first prize, the tournament also gives 80 First Tee participants representing 52 chapters an opportunity to compete alongside and learn from established professionals.
“These 80 teens have put in years of work at their chapters to earn this incredible opportunity,” First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin said when this year’s participants were announced.
That mentorship component remains at the heart of the week.
Friday and Saturday will feature 80 foursomes consisting of one PGA Tour Champions professional, one First Tee junior and two amateurs. Each group plays one round at Pebble Beach and one at Spyglass Hill before the tournament moves exclusively to Pebble Beach for Sunday.
Advertisement
After 36 holes, the professional field is reduced to the top 50 players and ties, while 24 pro-junior teams – 12 boys teams and 12 girls teams – advance to the final round.
There’s plenty at stake for the professionals as well.
Doug Barron returns as defending champion after shooting 12-under 204 in 2025, edging Vijay Singh by one shot. Retief Goosen and Steven Alker tied for third at 10-under.
The event has also produced some impressive scoring history. Bernhard Langer owns the 54-hole tournament record after finishing at 17-under 198 in 2017, while Kenny Perry’s 63 that same year remains the lowest single round.
Advertisement
Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill will provide two distinctly demanding tests. Both are par-72 layouts, with Pebble playing roughly 6,800 yards and Spyglass stretching to 7,000.
Yet the scoreboard is only part of what makes this tournament different.
First Tee participants are selected with more than golf scores in mind. Playing ability matters, but so do personal development, character and the life skills demonstrated through their local chapters.
MORE: Rory McIlroy Predicts LIV Golf Exodus After Bankruptcy Filing
For three days, those teenagers get something few junior golfers ever experience: tournament golf at Pebble Beach alongside some of the game’s most accomplished players.
Golf Channel will carry coverage Friday through Sunday from 6-9 p.m. ET.
Read the full article here
