The Charles Schwab Challenge 2026
Overview
Dates: May 28, 2026 to May 31, 2026
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Course: Colonial Country Club
Course Par: 70
Course Length: 7289
Prize Purse: $9900000
Last weeks review:
Despite last year’s renovation at TPC Craig Ranch, the course once again surrendered low scores. With soft conditions and barely a breath of wind, the field tore it apart from the opening round.
Heading into Sunday, Stephan Jaeger looked like our best shot at landing a value finish, but his modest two‑under effort was never going to keep pace with Wyndham Clark’s electrifying, record‑equalling 11‑under 60. Clark vaulted past the entire field, snatching victory from Si Woo Kim, who had controlled the tournament for three straight days before being blindsided by Clark’s historic charge.
Preview
The PGA Tour returns to one of its most historic and character‑defining venues as the Charles Schwab Challenge tees off once again at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Known as “Hogan’s Alley” in honour of Ben Hogan’s five victories here, Colonial remains one of the purest tests of precision golf on the schedule — a strategic chess match that rewards discipline over brute force.
The Course: Colonial Country Club
Par: 70
Yardage: ~7,200 yards
Architect: John Bredemus & Perry Maxwell
Signature Stretch: Holes 3–5, known as the “Horrible Horseshoe”
Colonial is one of the few remaining classic, tree‑lined shot‑making venues on the PGA Tour. Tight fairways, doglegs that force players into specific windows, and small, subtly contoured greens make it a thinking player’s course.
Grass Types
Fairways: Bermudagrass overseeded with rye
Greens: Bentgrass — typically firm, fast, and unforgiving by Sunday
The combination creates a premium on trajectory control, spin management, and precise distance control into small targets.
Typical Weather Conditions
Late May in Fort Worth brings:
Temperatures: 80–90°F (27–32°C)
Wind: Often 10–20 mph, swirling through tree corridors
Humidity: Moderate to high
Storm risk: Afternoon thunderstorms are common
Wind is the defining factor. Colonial becomes dramatically harder when gusts pick up, especially on the “Horrible Horseshoe,” where par becomes a premium.
🏆 Previous Winners (Last 10 Years)
Colonial has produced a mix of elite champions and tactical specialists:
2025: Ben Griffin
2024: Davis Riley
2023: Emiliano Grillo
2022: Sam Burns
2021: Jason Kokrak
2020: Daniel Berger
2019: Kevin Na
2018: Justin Rose
2017: Kevin Kisner
2016: Jordan Spieth
A clear pattern emerges: elite ball‑strikers and precision‑first players thrive here. Bombers can win, but only if they throttle back and play positional golf.
Skills Required to Win at Colonial
Colonial is not a modern power layout. It’s a shot‑maker’s course, and the statistical profile of past champions is remarkably consistent.
Strokes gained specifically in approach play and scrambling.
Strokes Gained from specifically 125–175 yards
Winners here often rank top‑10 in Strokes Gained: Around‑the‑Green for the week.
Bentgrass Putting
Bentgrass specialists historically gain a meaningful edge.
The greens are true — but subtle — and reward confident putters.
Wind Management
Trajectory control is essential.
Players who flight the ball down and maintain spin control in gusty conditions tend to rise on the leaderboard.
Expect:
A winning score between −10 and −15 depending on wind
A premium on precision iron play
A leaderboard shaped by course management, not raw power
Colonial rewards the smart, the patient, and the technically sound — a refreshing contrast to many modern layouts.