The Bahamas Golf Classic is the official season-opening event on the Korn Ferry Tour. The 2026 edition ran from January 11 to January 14 at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. American golfer Taylor Dickson won the title with a record-breaking score of 27-under par. The tournament carried a $1,000,000 purse, and it also marked a rough week for rising star Frankie Capan III, who missed the 36-hole cut. Below, you will find every detail about the 2026 results, the course, membership pricing, and how everyday golfers can experience the event.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Tournament Name | The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island |
| Former Name | The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic |
| Tour | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2026 Dates | January 11 to January 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Ocean Club Golf Course, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas |
| Course Designer | Tom Weiskopf |
| Par | 72 |
| Yardage | 7,159 yards |
| Fairway Type | Paspalum |
| Rough Type | Warm Season Mix Bermudagrass |
| Total Purse | $1,000,000 |
| Winner’s Share | $180,000 |
| 2026 Champion | Taylor Dickson (-27, 261) |
| 2026 Runner-Up | Roger Sloan (-24, 264) |
| Format | 72-hole stroke play with a 36-hole cut |
| Points to Winner | 500 Korn Ferry Tour points |
| PGA Tour Cards Available | 20, awarded at season end |
Who Won The Bahamas Golf Classic in 2026?
Taylor Dickson took home his third Korn Ferry Tour win at the 2026 Bahamas Golf Classic. He also set a new record in 72-hole scoring of the event when he won by 27 under par, or a total of 261 strokes. The victory put him in a very exclusive club, as he was only the second Korn Ferry Tour player to ever win without a single bogey on his scorecard. This kind of consistency is not typical, and this instantly made his performance one of the hot topics of conversation of the new season.
Roger Sloan also followed Dickson by two strokes, in second place at 24-under par. Even though he was not able to catch the leader, the 264 mark was a decent score as he headed to the rest of the Korn Ferry Tour.
Key Highlights From Dickson’s Win
- Third career Korn Ferry Tour title
- New 72-hole scoring record of 261 (27-under par)
- Only the second bogey-free winner in tour history
- Earned $180,000 as the winner’s share
- Collected 500 points toward PGA Tour card qualification
2026 Final Results Snapshot
| Position | Player | Score | Total Strokes |
| 1st | Taylor Dickson | -27 | 261 |
| 2nd | Roger Sloan | -24 | 264 |
What Is The Bahamas Golf Classic?
The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island is the seedling of the Korn Ferry Tour. Once known as The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, it was shifted to its current format at the Ocean Club Golf Course. The tournament is the jumpstart of the new competitive season yearly and the players are given the first shot at Korn Ferry Tour points.
The Bahamas Golf Classic, being the first event of the year, is loaded with a little more weight as golfers are competing to win a PGA Tour card. A good performance here will provide a good beginning of the entire year as compared to a bad performance, where the players will have to gain back the points almost immediately.
Why This Event Stands Out
- Opens the entire Korn Ferry Tour season
- Held at a resort-caliber course rarely open to the public
- Offers one of the largest purses among early-season events
- Attracts both established veterans and PGA Tour hopefuls
Tournament Overview and Format
The Venue
The Ocean Club Golf Course hosts The Bahamas Golf Classic every year on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Tom Weiskopf designed the layout, and it stretches across 7,159 yards as a par-72 track. The course uses Paspalum fairways, which handle the tropical climate well and stay firm even in humid conditions.
Course Format
The event follows a standard 72-hole stroke play format. There is a 36-hole cut after the second round, meaning only the top scorers continue into the weekend. This format rewards early consistency, since players who stumble in the first two rounds have no chance to recover.
| Format Detail | Description |
| Total Holes | 72 (four rounds of 18) |
| Cut Line | After 36 holes (Round 2) |
| Scoring Type | Stroke play |
| Weather Average | Around 83°F during tournament week |
Why The Bahamas Golf Classic Matters for the Tour
The Bahamas Golf Classic hands out 500 points to the champion. Those points matter enormously, because only the top 20 players on the season-long Korn Ferry Tour points list earn a PGA Tour card. Since this event opens the season, every point picked up here carries forward for the rest of the year, giving winners like Taylor Dickson a valuable head start.
Recent Past Champions of The Bahamas Golf Classic
Looking back at recent winners shows how competitive this event has become. Scores keep dropping every year, and 2026 proved that trend with Dickson’s record 27-under performance.
| Year | Champion | Score |
| 2026 | Taylor Dickson | -27 |
| 2025 | Hank Lebioda | -18 |
| 2024 | Jeremy Paul | -17 |
| 2023 | Chandler Phillips | -14 |
| 2022 | Akshay Bhatia | -14 |
Notice how the winning margin has grown sharper each year. Course conditions, player form, and equipment improvements have all pushed scores lower, and Dickson’s 2026 win now stands as the new benchmark for future champions of The Bahamas Golf Classic.
What This Scoring Trend Tells Us
- Winning scores dropped from -14 in 2022 to -27 in 2026
- Course setup has stayed largely consistent, so player performance is improving
- Future champions may need to shoot deep into the 20s under par to win
Frankie Capan III at The Bahamas Golf Classic 2026
Not every storyline from the 2026 tournament involved celebration. Frankie Capan III arrived at The Bahamas Golf Classic hoping to build early momentum for his season, but he ultimately missed the 36-hole cut.
Frankie Capan III Round-by-Round Performance
| Round | Score | Result |
| Round 1 | 66 (-6) | Strong opening round |
| Round 2 | 73 (+1) | Dropped below cut line |
| Total | 139 (-5) | Missed cut |
Capan opened with an error-free 66 that put him near the top of the leaderboard after day one. However, his second round unraveled quickly, and a 1-over 73 sent him tumbling below an unusually low cut line. Since so many players posted low scores that week, even a 5-under total was not enough to survive.
Context Behind Frankie Capan III’s Season Start
Frankie Capan III is coming off a difficult rookie season on the PGA Tour, where he finished outside the top 125 in the standings. That result sent him back down to the Korn Ferry Tour for 2026. The Bahamas Golf Classic marked his first event of the year, and it kicked off his campaign to reclaim full PGA Tour status by 2027.
Quick Snapshot: Frankie Capan III’s 2026 Season Opener
- Hometown: North Oaks
- Age: 26
- Prior Status: PGA Tour rookie in 2025, finished outside top 125
- 2026 Goal: Reclaim full PGA Tour status for 2027
- Result at The Bahamas Golf Classic: Missed cut at 5-under par
While the missed cut was a setback, it is only one event out of many in a long season, and players often use early struggles as motivation for the months ahead.
Ocean Club Golf Course Membership Costs
Many golf fans who watch The Bahamas Golf Classic on television later ask what it costs to play the same course. The Ocean Club Golf Course offers full membership, though the price tag is steep.
Membership Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
| Initiation Fee | $90,000 (50% refundable) + 10% VAT |
| Annual Dues | $8,600 + 10% VAT |
| Food & Beverage Minimum | $1,200 annually + 10% VAT |
The initiation fee sits at $90,000, though half of that amount is refundable under club policy. Annual dues add another $8,600, and members must also meet a yearly food and beverage minimum of $1,200. Every one of these charges carries an additional 10% VAT on top of the base price.
Points to Remember About Membership
- Half of the initiation fee is refundable, unlike most private clubs
- Annual dues are billed separately from the food and beverage minimum
- VAT applies to every category, so budget an extra 10% on top of listed prices
Alternative Ways to Play or Experience the Course
Not everyone wants a full membership, and thankfully, there are other ways to enjoy the same course that hosts The Bahamas Golf Classic.
Daily Guest Green Fees
Non-members and resort guests can book individual tee times without joining the club.
| Tee Time | Price |
| Morning (before 1:00 PM) | $299 + tax |
| Afternoon | $259 + tax |
| Premium Club Rentals | $85 + tax |
Afternoon tee times offer better value for budget-conscious visitors, since the price drops by $40 compared to morning slots.
Tournament Pro-Am Entry
Golf fans who want to play alongside the professionals during tournament week can register for the Pro-Am.
| Package | Price |
| With Resort Housing | $5,250 |
| Without Accommodations | $3,250 |
This option gives amateur players a rare chance to tee it up on the same fairways used during The Bahamas Golf Classic, right before the professional field takes over.
National Federation Membership
For those who live locally or visit the islands often, the Bahamas Golf Federation offers a standard adult membership for $150 per year. This option unlocks broader access benefits across courses in the Bahamas, and it costs far less than a private club membership.
Comparing Your Options
| Option | Best For | Approximate Cost |
| Full Club Membership | Frequent, long-term golfers | $90,000 initiation + $8,600 yearly |
| Daily Guest Green Fee | Occasional visitors and tourists | $259 to $299 per round |
| Pro-Am Entry | Fans wanting to play with pros | $3,250 to $5,250 |
| National Federation Membership | Local island residents | $150 per year |
Conclusion
The Bahamas Golf Classic remains one of the most important events on the Korn Ferry Tour calendar, since it opens the season and sets the tone for players chasing a PGA Tour card. In 2026, Taylor Dickson delivered a historic performance, finishing 27-under par to claim his third career title and set a new scoring record at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Meanwhile, Frankie Capan III faced a tougher road, missing the cut despite a promising start, as he works his way back toward full PGA Tour status. Whether you follow The Bahamas Golf Classic for the competition, the course, or the chance to play it yourself through green fees or Pro-Am entry, this tournament continues to be a standout fixture in professional golf for 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won The Bahamas Golf Classic in 2026?
Taylor Dickson won the 2026 event, finishing at 27-under par with a total score of 261, which set a new tournament scoring record.
Where is The Bahamas Golf Classic played?
The tournament is held at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, a par-72 course designed by Tom Weiskopf.
How did Frankie Capan III perform at the 2026 event?
Frankie Capan III missed the 36-hole cut after opening with a 66 in round one, followed by a 73 in round two, finishing at 5-under par overall.
What is the total prize money for The Bahamas Golf Classic?
The tournament offers a total purse of $1,000,000, with the champion earning $180,000.
Can the public play the course that hosts The Bahamas Golf Classic?
Yes, Resort guests and non-members can book daily tee times, with morning rounds priced at $299 plus tax and afternoon rounds at $259 plus tax.
How much does full membership cost at the Ocean Club Golf Course?
Full membership requires a $90,000 initiation fee, which is 50% refundable, along with $8,600 in annual dues and a $1,200 food and beverage minimum, all subject to 10% VAT.
Why does The Bahamas Golf Classic matter for Korn Ferry Tour players?
As the season-opening event, it awards 500 points to the winner, which counts toward the top 20 spots that earn PGA Tour cards at year’s end.
Can amateurs play alongside professionals during the tournament?
Yes, through Pro-Am entry packages priced at $5,250 with resort housing or $3,250 without accommodations.