The 2026 NCPGA Yamaha Match Play Championship represents the pinnacle of competitive golf for PGA Professionals in Northern California. This prestigious event tests both endurance and strategy, taking a 64-player field through a high-stakes bracket across some of the most iconic golf courses in the world.

Tournament Format & Qualification

The championship features a rigorous selection process to ensure only the top performing professionals in the section reach the starting grid.

  • Total Field Size: 64 Players.

  • The Top 32 Seeds: Automatically qualified based on the 2025 NCPGA Points List. These players represent the most consistent performers from the previous season.

  • The Remaining 32 Players: Earn their spots through the NCPGA Pro Series #3 / Match Play Qualifier. This “play-in” style qualifier allows those finding mid-season form to challenge the top seeds.

  • The Bracket: A standard single-elimination match play format where players go head-to-head until only one champion remains.

The Road to the Title: Featured Courses

The 2026 rotation is a “bucket list” journey through the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding highlands, increasing in prestige and difficulty with every passing round.

Round Course Character & Challenge
Round 1 & 2 Corral de Tierra Country Club Known as the “Cradle of the Earth,” this Bob Baldock design provides a lush, parkland setting that demands precision off the tee to navigate its valley corridors.
Round 3 & 4 The Preserve Golf Club Tucked within the Santa Lucia Preserve, this Tom Fazio masterpiece is a pure test of “nature golf,” featuring dramatic elevation changes and fast, undulating greens.
Round 5 Pebble Beach Golf Links The Semifinals move to the most famous public course in America. Players must contend with the daunting cliffs of Stillwater Cove and the legendary pressure of the Monterey coastline.
Round 6 Cypress Point Club The Championship concludes at what many consider the greatest course ever built. The final match will be decided amidst the wind-swept dunes and the world-renowned 16th hole.