Full Breakdown
ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic 2026: A Deep-Dive into the Opposite-Field Event
5/6/2026, 5:13:56 AM
Event Overview
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic returns to the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from May 7-10, 2026. The par-71, 7,347-yard course will host a 123-player field (some sources list 120) competing for a $4 million purse, $720,000 for the champion, 300 FedEx Cup points, PGA Tour status through 2027 and $250,000 in ONEflight flight credits. After 36 holes the field is cut to the low 65 and ties. Tee times begin between 6:40 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., with the first two rounds played from both the 1st and 10th tees.
Historical Context and Economic Impact
Launched in 2024, the tournament’s inaugural winner was Chris Gotteru; Ryan Fox captured the 2025 title after a sudden-death playoff. Attendance has risen from 15,000 spectators on a single day in 2024 to roughly 45,000 in 2025. Visit Myrtle Beach reports an annual economic impact of $15.8 million, exceeding $30.2 million over two years, and notes that more than 225,000 golf rounds were played in May 2024—a record for the month. The event also contributes to the region’s $12 billion yearly visitor-spending, supporting local services such as schools.
Field Composition and Notable Competitors
The roster features five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett, former world No. 1 Webb Simpson (who withdrew after receiving a sponsor exemption for the concurrent Truist Championship), and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson. Other highlighted players include Brandt Snedeker, Harry Higgs, Blades Brown, Rasmus Hojgaard, Marco Penge, Aaron Rai and Davis Thompson. The celebrity Pro-Am adds Kurt Russell, John McEnroe, Vanna White, Michael Peña, Nick Swisher and others, underscoring the event’s entertainment component.
Tournament Structure and Fan Experience
Organizers emphasize a fan-centric atmosphere: a “Fan Zone” near the 17th green offers food trucks, gathering areas and prime viewing spots; concerts by The Beach Boys with John Stamos (Friday) and local band Julio and the Saltines (Saturday) are included with admission. All tickets are digital; barcodes on smartphones grant entry, while printed confirmations are denied. General admission ranges from $65 (Thursday/Sunday) to $71 (Friday/Saturday); children <= 15 enter free with a paying adult, and military personnel receive complimentary practice-round tickets plus discounted rates for the tournament. Parking costs $20 per day, with shuttle service to the course.
Criticism and Perceived Limitations
Opposite-field events are generally viewed as lower-profile compared to PGA Tour signature tournaments. Analysts note the 2026 Classic’s modest star power, noting that Koepka’s presence “spices up” the field but also required an expansion from the standard 120 players to 123 to accommodate his entry without displacing a regular Tour member. Webb Simpson’s withdrawal for a sponsor exemption at the Truist Championship illustrates the challenge of attracting top-ranked players.
Conflicting Reports and Data Gaps
Sources differ on the exact field size (120 vs. 123) and on the official first-round tee-time start (6:40 a.m., 6:50 a.m., or 7:00 a.m.). Attendance figures for the 2026 edition have not been released, leaving the current year’s economic impact unverified. While nine charities are listed as beneficiaries, the total amount pledged remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes from Organizers
- “We’re attracting people from more than 12 different countries.” — Diane Charno, Executive Vice President, Visit Myrtle Beach
- “It has great economic impact $15.8 million. So over two years, that’s been over $30.2 million of economic impact for our area.” — Diane Charno
- “There were over 225,000 golf rounds they played last year in the month of May alone. So that’s over 200,000 golf rounds played in the month of May alone, which is a record for the month.” — Diane Charno
- “It helps generate more than $12 billion in visitor spending each year to our community, and that reduces the impact for locals having to pay for many services… It’s going to be a great week.” — Diane Charno
Looking Ahead
The Classic will serve as a tune-up for Koepka ahead of the PGA Championship at Aronimink. Continued growth in attendance and economic contribution could elevate the tournament’s stature within the FedEx Cup schedule, while organizers aim to address field-size ambiguities and enhance the spectator experience for future editions.
