Cink Leads PGA Tour Champions Playoffs at Norwood Hills

Playoffs Begin in St. Louis

The 2026 Charles Schwab Cup playoffs for the PGA Tour Champions have begun with the Stifel Charity Classic, hosted at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. This opening event features the top 72 players from the regular season's Charles Schwab Cup points standings. Stewart Cink leads the field, having accumulated US$3,798,700 in earnings throughout the season.

His substantial lead places him ahead of Zach Johnson, who ranks second in the standings. As the playoffs get underway, the points system shifts, with each dollar earned now equating to two points, intensifying the competition for the season's ultimate prize.

Pathway to the Simmons Bank Championship

The Stifel Charity Classic serves as the initial hurdle in the three-event playoff series. Following this tournament, only the top 54 players in the updated points standings will advance to the next stage, the Simmons Bank Championship, scheduled to take place in Arkansas.

The current standings show Zach Johnson in second place with US$3,314,368.33, followed by Steven Alker, Padraig Harrington, and Retief Goosen rounding out the top five.

The doubled points system for the playoffs means that strong performances in these early events will be crucial for players aiming to secure their spot in the subsequent rounds and ultimately contend for the Charles Schwab Cup.

Player Qualification and Ineligibility

Among the 72 competitors, Matt Goggin secured his place in the playoffs through a strong finish at the regular season-ending SAS Championship. However, Matt Gogel, who had earned enough points to be ranked 27th, is unable to participate in the post-season events.

Gogel is currently serving a suspension related to gambling, rendering him ineligible for the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. This highlights the varying paths players take to reach this stage of the season, from consistent high performance to last-minute qualifications, alongside the adherence to tour regulations.

Asian and Asia-Pacific Representation

The playoff field includes several notable players from Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the global reach of the PGA Tour Champions. Among them are Y.E. Yang of South Korea, ranked 13th, and Australia's Scott Hend, who enters the Stifel Charity Classic at 17th position.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee is also competing, holding the 30th spot, alongside South Korea's K.J. Choi at 48th.

Their presence offers Asian golf enthusiasts specific players to follow as the Charles Schwab Cup progresses, potentially inspiring greater regional interest in the senior tour's competitive landscape and showcasing the talent pool from these regions on a global stage.