A Homecoming for the South Carolina Native
The PGA Tour returns to Asheville, North Carolina, for the first time since 1942 when the Asheville Championship at Biltmore tees off. Jacob Bridgeman stands as the star of the show. This Inman native grew up less than an hour away from the course. He calls the tournament a personal event for his family and friends.
“It feels to me sort of like a hometown event, it’s only an hour and 20 minutes from my house and even closer to where I grew up,” Bridgeman said. He won the Genesis Invitational earlier this year to secure his spot. At the 2026 Tour Championship, he likewise ended up in a fourth-place tie. Bridgeman does not need these fall points to stay on the tour. He plays anyway because he wants to support his community.
Per CBS Sports, Bridgeman enters as the highest-ranked player in the field at world number 29. He is the only man in the field who made it to the Tour Championship. Seven players from the upcoming Presidents Cup are also in the mix, including Bridgeman and Jackson Koivun for the USA team.
Valdes Makes a Powerful Return
Brendan Valdes is another story that demands attention. He is back on tour after a serious health battle. He was diagnosed with cancer in January. A lung infection turned into pneumonia and a hole in his lung while he received chemotherapy. The recovery was slow. He said it was hard to walk to the mailbox at times.
“Now that I feel like I am back, and I see all the guys out here, I feel like I will be able to go out there and compete,” Valdes said. His return adds a layer of emotion to the week. The tour needs these stories. They remind fans why they love the game.
Valdes is not the only veteran playing. Kevin Kisner is there too. He plans to keep an old Adams Golf hybrid in his bag. The Adams Idea Pro is twenty years old. It shows that players stick with what works. Kisner knows his game better than anyone.
High Stakes in the Fall Series
This event is about more than just a trophy. The fall series decides who keeps their status for next season. Winning gives a player a two-year exemption and a spot in the majors. Finishing in the top 100 of points guarantees entry into full-field events. Those ranked 101 through 125 get conditional status.
Per Golf.com, rookie Jackson Koivun is the betting favorite. He is ranked 65th in the world. He faces tough odds against Bridgeman, who is listed at plus 1850. The stakes are high for everyone. Players like Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover sit right around the cutoff line. They need to perform well to stay safe.
The Biltmore Championship starts on Thursday. The course has hosted no PGA Tour event for eighty years.
