2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course – Preview

With five events remaining in the FedExCup Fall, the PGA Tour heads to Bermuda for the eighth edition of the Bermuda Championship. Situated on high ground along the western shore of Southampton Parish, Port Royal Golf Course offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The government-owned municipal course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1970. It is also considered one of Jack Nicklaus’ favorite courses.

Port Royal is one of the shortest venues on the schedule, but its hilly terrain, demanding par 3s, and exposure to unpredictable winds provide a unique challenge. The signature hole is the 16th, a 230-yard par 3 that plays from a clifftop ledge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Although a variety of player profiles can succeed here, past champions such as Camilo Villegas, Seamus Power, Lucas Herbert, Brendon Todd, and Brian Gay have demonstrated the value of strong putting and the ability to manage windy conditions. Narrow fairways and plentiful wedge opportunities place an emphasis on approach play, while players must convert their share of short and mid-range birdie chances to keep pace with the field.

Scoring can be exceptionally low when conditions cooperate, with winning totals reaching 24-under-par in both 2019, when Brendon Todd prevailed, and 2023, when Camilo Villegas claimed the title. However, Bermuda’s changing weather can create significant week-to-week volatility. Last year’s wind-blown championship was a clear example, as Adam Schenk won at 12-under-par in difficult conditions.

The Field

The 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship features a 120-player field headlined by Corey Conners, the highest-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking at No. 60. Austin Smotherman, fresh off his maiden PGA victory at the Bank of Utah Championship, is also in the field, alongside Eric Cole, Ben James, Andrew Novak, Ben Kohles and Max Greyserman, giving the tournament seven players ranked inside the world’s top 100.

Defending champion Adam Schenk returns to Port Royal after defeating Chandler Phillips by one stroke last year to secure his first PGA Tour victory. Other past champions in the field include Rafael Campos, Camilo Villegas, Seamus Power and Brendon Todd. Additional notable names include Rasmus Hojgaard, Austin Eckroat, Haotong Li, Denny McCarthy, Davis Thompson, Taylor Moore, and Taylor Pendrith, while amateurs Miles Russell, Kihei Akina, Jay Leng and Mason Howell add an intriguing element to the field.

With the FedExCup Fall continuing to determine playing status for the 2027 season, the tournament carries significant implications for players trying to finish inside the top 100 in the standings, while those ranked Nos. 51 through 60 have an opportunity to secure spots in the first two Signature Events of 2027. Several established Tour winners, including Lucas Glover, Mackenzie Hughes and Seamus Power, are looking to improve their positions, while others have an opportunity to capitalize on a less star-studded field and contend for a valuable fall victory.

Port Royal GC – Course History

Originally known as Southampton Golf Club, the property was purchased in 1965, with construction led by famed architect Robert Trent Jones beginning in 1967. Though the design had to be changed numerous times due to land agreements, the course was finally completed and opened in 1970. In 2008, an original member of the design team, Roger Rulewich, was in charge of the $14.5 million renovation that also made Port Royal the longest golf course in Bermuda.

Originally used by the PGA Tour in 2019 as an alternate-field event played opposite the WGC-HSBC Championship, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was elevated in 2020 to a standalone event. Taylor Pendrith holds the course record with a 61 in 2021.

Finish Position and Strokes Gained History at Port Royal GC (2019-2025)

This includes the average finish position and Strokes Gained per round since 2016 for each of the categories. Players are sorted by SG: Total. Port Royal GC is the 20th least predictive annual course on Tour.

Course Features

At 6,828 yards, Port Royal Golf Course is the shortest venue in the PGA Tour’s annual rotation. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par 71 resort course embraces Bermuda’s natural terrain, with clifftop tees, exposed fairways, and ocean views from much of the property. Wind is the primary variable determining scoring conditions each year. Blustery weather has influenced every edition of the tournament, making performance in windy conditions an important consideration when evaluating the field.

As Patrick Reed once explained, “It’s one of those golf courses that if they didn’t have wind around here, you’d go out and you’d destroy it. So I almost feel like they need the wind here to be kind of a defense mechanism for the golf course.” The challenge extends beyond wind strength to the frequent changes in direction, which can dramatically alter how holes play from one round to the next. Aaron Wise described the impact, saying, “It’s definitely not a bomber’s golf course. The crazy part is how much it changes because the wind’s blowing 30 miles an hour. Then all of a sudden, if the wind switches to the dead opposite way, a ball goes 50 yards shorter or longer than it did the day before.”

Winning scores have ranged from 12 under par to 24 under par, which has been reached twice, illustrating how heavily conditions influence scoring. Both shorter hitters, including Brendon Todd, Seamus Power, and Camilo Villegas, and longer players such as Taylor Pendrith, Patrick Rodgers, and Lucas Herbert have contended here. The greens average approximately 8,000 square feet, providing large targets that contribute to scoring opportunities, particularly when wind makes approach shots more difficult.

When the wind strengthens and certain holes play considerably longer, distance off the tee can become a more significant advantage. However, Port Royal’s compact layout and emphasis on precision prevent it from becoming a course that can simply be overpowered. The combination of short yardage, generous greens, and unpredictable coastal winds allows different player profiles to succeed, with weather often determining which skill sets prove most valuable.

Port Royal features substantial elevation changes reminiscent of the Plantation Course at Kapalua. True to Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s design philosophy, extensive fairway bunkering adds another layer of difficulty, particularly when wind complicates positioning off the tee. The course is maintained entirely with Bermudagrass.

The layout combines seaside holes with a more sheltered, parkland feel early in the round. The elevated first tee sends players downhill and away from the ocean, while trees provide some protection across the opening seven holes. The Atlantic comes fully into view around the seventh green, where sweeping panoramas of Bermuda’s southern coastline introduce players to the more exposed stretch of the course. Ocean breezes typically become a greater factor from this point onward, with holes 11 through 13 providing a brief exception before the closing stretch returns to more exposed conditions.

Port Royal’s par 3s are among the most demanding on Tour, particularly when the wind picks up. Three of the four measure more than 213 yards and rank among the course’s toughest holes. The signature 16th is especially memorable, playing approximately 235 yards along a crescent shaped green complex with a tee shot carried directly over the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of length, exposure, and a demanding target makes it one of the most intimidating par 3s on the schedule.

The par 4s offer a contrasting challenge, with eight of the 11 measuring less than 415 yards and the longest stretching to 458 yards. Port Royal has one of the shortest collections of par 4s, creating opportunities for scoring when conditions are calm. However, historical scoring data shows that seven of the 11 have averaged over par, highlighting how quickly the wind can turn these seemingly manageable holes into difficult tests. The three par 5s measure just 507, 517, and 553 yards, combining for a birdie or better rate of approximately 45%. Regardless of the weather, players will need to capitalize on these scoring opportunities to contend.

Strokes Gained Analysis

Port Royal does not have ShotLink data. The analysis is based on limited course data.

Off the Tee

Port Royal offers reasonably generous fairways, but extensive hazards make club selection and positioning important off the tee. The short layout gives players opportunities to prioritize accuracy over distance when needed, although staggered fairway bunkers on nearly every par 4 and par 5 complicate landing zone decisions and can dictate which clubs are viable.

Driving accuracy averages just 56% at Port Royal, compared with approximately 61% across other annual Tour courses. Narrower fairways contribute to the difference, but Bermuda’s swirling coastal winds are likely a major factor in pushing tee shots offline. The relatively manageable 2 inch rough also provides little incentive to sacrifice distance by routinely taking less than driver. As Brendon Todd has noted, cross bunkers positioned near typical landing areas can force players toward similar club selections, with the priority being to carry the hazards safely rather than simply maximize distance.

Approach

Although keeping the ball low off the tee can be manageable, approach play becomes more challenging when hitting into the wind, particularly with higher lofted wedges from inside 150 yards. Nearly 60% of approach shots are estimated to come from this range, placing a premium on distance control and the ability to flight the ball in changing conditions. The long par 3s and reachable par 5s should also produce an above average share of approaches from beyond 200 yards.

Despite these challenges, Port Royal’s relatively straightforward green complexes and average greens in regulation rate of 66% provide plenty of opportunities to reach the putting surface. Ultimately, approach success will depend on how well players judge the wind, control their trajectories, and position shots close enough to generate consistent birdie chances.

Around the Green and Putting

With scrambling and sand save rates both near the Tour average, short game performance should have a relatively neutral impact at Port Royal. Greenside bunkers and unpredictable Bermudagrass rough can complicate recovery shots, particularly when wind affects ball control. However, the primary objective remains converting the birdie opportunities created by competent approach play.

As expected at an exposed coastal venue, green speeds are generally slower than at more sheltered courses. Strong winds make it difficult to maintain faster surfaces, with speeds at Port Royal occasionally dropping to around 9 on the Stimpmeter and typically running near 10. While scoring conditions do not necessarily turn the week into a putting contest, both lag putting and conversion from inside 15 feet remain important. The course’s large greens, averaging approximately 8,000 square feet, create plenty of opportunities to reach the putting surface, but they also leave players facing lengthy putts that require reliable distance control. Port Royal’s three putt rate of 2.85% is slightly above average, reinforcing the importance of avoiding costly mistakes on the greens.

Past winners and high finishers have included several strong putters, making performance on Bermuda greens a useful consideration when evaluating the field. Players who combine reliable speed control on longer putts with above average conversion from inside 15 feet, particularly in windy conditions, are well suited to the demands of Port Royal’s putting surfaces.

Most Important Stats For Success at Port Royal GC

*In order of importance

• SG: APP
• SG: Coastal Courses/Windy Conditions
• SG: Putting (Bermuda)
• Driving Accuracy (DFEF)
• Scrambling
• Birdie or Better %
• Bogeys Avoided
• 3-Putt AVD
• SG: Weak Fields/Short Courses
• Proximity 50-150 yds

Key Rabbit Hole Filters

• Course Type: Coastal/Resort/Island
• Scoring Conditions: Easy
• Course Length: Very Short
• Field Strength: Very Weak
• Event Season: Fall
• Water Danger: Low
• Greens Surface: Bermuda
• Greens Speed: Slow
• Greens Size: Large
• Rough Surface: Bermuda
• Rough Length: Short
• OTT Club Type: Less than Driver
• Gain OTT: Difficult
• Gain APP: Easy
• 3-Putt AVD: Difficult
• Par 3 Scoring: Difficult