DP World/PGA Tours : Corales Puntacana Championship Entry List
All you need to know about this week's Corales Puntacana Championship which makes its DP World Tour debut as part of double header alongside The Open Championship.
The DP World Tour welcomes a new event to the schedule this week as the Corales Puntacana Championship replaces the Barracuda Championship.
The event in the Dominican Republic gives 50 DP World Tour members who are not in the field for The Open the chance to compete in the PGA TOUR's alternate event as part of the Strategic Alliance.
Here, we take a look at what it is all about ahead of a potentially life-changing week, with DP World Tour and PGA TOUR cards up for grabs.
History
The event started life on the Korn Ferry Tour and was won by Americans Dominic Bozzelli and Nate Lashley in 2016 and 2017 before it took its place on the PGA TOUR schedule.
It was the alternate event to the WGC-Match Play in 2018 and 2019 as Brice Garnett and Graeme McDowell lifted the trophy and while it did not feature in the PGA TOUR's 2019-20 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it returned twice in 2020/21.
The first standalone edition in September 2020 was won by Hudson Swafford, while it also once again served as the WGC-Match Play's alternate in March, with Joel Dahmen the victor.
Chad Ramey won in 2022 and Matt Wallace claimed a first PGA TOUR title in 2023, before another switch to be the alternate for the RBC Heritage came in 2024, when it was won by Billy Horschel.
South Africa's Garrick Higgo is the defending champion.
Where is it held?
The event takes place at the Corales Golf Course, part of the Puntacana Resort and Club on the Dominican Republic's east coast.
Opened in 2010 and designed by Tom Fazio, it features six holes that run along the coast and finishes with what is known as the Devil's Elbow, made up of the 16th, 17th and 18th - wth players hitting over the ocean bay off the tee on the last.
The course is a 7,670-yard par 72 and will play host to the golf at this year's Central American and Caribbean Games.
What is at stake?
The prizes on offer this week are potentially life-changing, with the champion gaining a winner's exemption on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR and a place in the field for the 2027 US PGA Championship.
Also at stake are points on both the Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup, as well as a US$4,000,000 purse.
There are 3,500 Race to Dubai points and 300 FedEx Cup points up for grabs, while the event is also the third of five on the DP World Tour's Closing Swing.
The player who tops the Swing Rankings after the Nexo Championship in August will gain entry into all events on the Back 9 and a US$200,000 bonus.
The leading player on the swing not already exempt will also earn a place in the field at the BMW PGA Championship.
Who is the defending champion?
Higgo - a three-time winner on the DP World Tour - took advantage of a late slip from Joel Dahmen to take the title in 2025.
After opening with a 62, Dahmen had dominated proceedings in the Caribbean and led stood on the 16th tee on Sunday, with Higgo posting an even-par 72 and setting the target at -14.
But Dahmen bogeyed all three holes of the Devil's Elbow to finish one behind Higgo, who won a second PGA TOUR title.
“I truly feel for Joel, who is a great friend," said Higgo. "I would have preferred to win under different circumstances, but that’s the nature of golf."
DP World Tour players are teeing it up?
There are 50 places in the field available to DP World Tour players and a host of emerging stars and established names have made their way across the Atlantic.
Former Masters champion Danny Willet flies over after a good week at the Genesis Scottish Open and will have fellow Englishman and Rolex Series winner Paul Waring for company.
Winners in 2026 Jordan Gumberg, Freddy Schott and Nacho Elvira also tee it up alongside Nacho's brother Manuel, who had a top ten at the ISCO Championship last week.
Rising star Jacob Skov Olesen is also in the field while 2025 HotelPlanner Tour graduates Maximilian Steinlechner, Filippo Celli, Stefano Mazzoli and Sebastian Garcia will be hoping for a life-changing week.
EDIT >>> Canadians : Taylor Pendrith, Mac Hughes, AJ Ewart, Adam Svensson, Ben Silverman, Adam Hadwin
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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