Cink and Johnson Highlight Early Commitments for PGA TOUR Champions Playoff Event
Media Contact: Lee Patterson, Media Director, Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, Lee@simmonsbankchampionship.com, 704-913-1088
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – September 29, 2026 – Tournament officials announced today commitments from Steven Alker, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson in the third edition of the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, 2026, at Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Steven Alker, winner of last year’s championship by seven strokes and in wire-to-wire fashion, is scheduled to return and defend his title. Alker, currently third on the Charles Schwab Cup standings, has two victories amid four consecutive top five finishes in his last four starts.
Charles Schwab Cup standings leader and 2025 Cup champion Stewart Cink, returns to Little Rock after finishing fourth here a year ago. Cink has captured four of his nine PGA TOUR Champions career victories this season.
PGA TOUR Champions rookie Zach Johnson is enjoying a successful season with six victories so far and is currently ranked second on the Charles Schwab Cup standings. The two-time major champion won his fourth title just over a week ago at Pebble Beach.
Other current committed players expected to compete include: 2024 champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Jerry Kelly, Ben Crane, Boo Weekley, Freddie Jacobson, Y.E. Yang, Dicky Pride, Tag Ridings, and Tommy Gainey.
The 54-hole tournament is the second leg of the Charles Schwab Playoffs with 54 players competing to advance to the playoff finals where the top 36 players in the standings qualify.
The complete field for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be available the evening of Sunday, October 25, following the completion of the first playoff event of the PGA TOUR Champions.
Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens—a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event—are currently on sale to the public. For more information about the Simmons Bank Championship, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on tournament news, visit the tournament website, simmonsbankchampionship.com.
Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, a PGA TOUR Champions Charles Schwab Cup Playoff event contested in Little Rock, Arkansas, will be played at Pleasant Valley Country Club the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1, featuring a 54-player field and a $2.3 million purse. In its third year, the tournament will focus on charitable giving and making a lasting impression on the State of Arkansas. For more information about the tournament, visit the tournament website (simmonsbankchampionship.com) or follow the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens on Facebook (@SimmonsBankChampionship), Instagram (@sbgolfchamp), X [formerly Twitter] (@sbgolfchamp), TikTok (@sbgolfchamp), LinkedIn (@SimmonsBankChampionship) and YouTube (@SimmonsBankChampionship).
The Arkansas Champions Trust is the 501(c)3 non-profit that serves as the host organization of the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens. The Arkansas Champions Trust and its board of directors is committed to using the tournament as a platform to raise funds for various area charities. The ACT is committed to giving back to the home state that has given so much to Simmons Bank, its customers and employees.
Simmons Bank
Simmons Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC), a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders for 117 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates 220 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. Recently, Simmons Bank was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2026 and by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Companies 2026. In 2025, Simmons Bank was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2025 in Arkansas and one of America’s Best Regional Banks 2025, and by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For in the South. Additional information about Simmons Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by following @Simmons_Bank on X or by visiting our newsroom.
Stephens
“Stephens” (the company brand name) is a leading family‑owned investment firm that includes Stephens Inc. (member NYSE/SIPC), Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, Stephens Insurance, LLC, and Stephens Capital Partners LLC. Founded in 1933 and headquartered in Little Rock, Stephens provides securities brokerage, investment banking, public finance, wealth management, and other financial services to corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions, institutional investors, and individuals throughout the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.stephens.com.