The Players Championship Recap

Championship Flight Recap

Dennis Nelson closed the door with another impressive final round, firing a 71 to finish at 145 (+1) and claim the Players Championship title at Beechwood Country Club. After opening with a 74, Nelson was the only player in the Championship Flight to finish nearly even with the golf course over 36 holes, proving once again why he's one of the hottest players on the Tidewater Golfweek Amateur Tour this season.

Matthew Spruill mounted the strongest challenge on Sunday. His excellent 72 was one of the lowest rounds of the day and helped him climb into second place at 150 (+6), but Nelson's consistency throughout the weekend kept the championship comfortably in hand.

Jeff Broadwell of Eastern North Carolina rounded out the podium at 151 (+7) after following an opening-round 72 with a 79. Despite the tougher second round, Broadwell held on for a well-earned third-place finish against a talented field.

Mike Hartselle continued another solid season with a 76 to finish fourth at 154 (+10), while Scott Kittleson completed the top five at 159 (+15). Andrew Haines finished sixth at 160 (+16), and Jeff Hawkins and Zane Sanford shared seventh place at 162 (+18).

The Players Championship once again delivered a challenging test at Beechwood Country Club, where patience and steady ball striking separated the contenders over 36 holes. In the end, Dennis Nelson's outstanding closing round was the difference, adding another prestigious title to an already remarkable 2026 campaign.

A Flight delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the Players Championship as Jimmy Lewis and Jason Hall battled through 36 holes before finishing tied atop the leaderboard at 156 (+12).

Hall put together rounds of 79-77, while Lewis matched him with an incredibly consistent 78-78 performance. Neither player was able to create separation over two days, leaving the championship deadlocked after 36 holes in a fitting finish between two of the tour's most consistent competitors. After the Sudden Death Playoff, Jimmy Lewis was able to come away with the VICTORY!

Just two shots back was Ryan Staples, who carded one of the best rounds of the day with a 76 to finish solo third at 158 (+14). Staples' strong closing effort nearly erased his opening-round deficit and kept the pressure on the leaders until the final holes.

Ryan Hopkins secured fourth place at 162 (+18), while Alton Smith rounded out the top five with a 164 (+20) after improving four shots in the final round.

A tightly packed leaderboard continued behind them with JD Somerset and Ron Sullins sharing sixth at 165 (+21). Dave Bumm and Kevin Martin tied for eighth at 166 (+22), followed by Bords Alingig in tenth at 167 (+23). Tim Middleton finished just one stroke behind in a tie for eleventh after an impressive Sunday 82.

With a share of the title after 36 holes, Jason Hall and Jimmy Lewis showcased the steady play and resilience it takes to compete at the highest level. From start to finish, A Flight proved to be one of the deepest and most competitive divisions of the Players Championship, with several players making Sunday charges and every stroke carrying significant weight.

The B Flight championship came down to the wire, but Stephen Abernathy of the Richmond Tour held his ground to capture the Players Championship with rounds of 83-84 for a 36-hole total of 167 (+23). Abernathy's steady play over both rounds proved to be just enough to withstand a furious Sunday charge from several Tidewater contenders.

No player made a bigger move than Pat Crawford, who fired an outstanding 78 after opening with a 90. His 12-shot improvement vaulted him into a tie for second at 168 (+24) and nearly erased Abernathy's lead. Joining Crawford in second was Connor Phillips, who followed an opening-round 89 with a strong 79, completing another impressive Sunday comeback.

Just one stroke behind the runners-up was David Hotze, whose consistent 87-82 performance earned him fourth place at 169 (+25). The battle for the remaining top positions stayed tight throughout the afternoon, with Todd Barker and Marcus Godinez sharing fifth at 171 (+27).

Donovan Mahiai finished seventh at 173 (+29), while Michael Harris and Jim Wolk tied for eighth at 174 (+30) to round out the top finishers.

B Flight showcased one of the strongest comeback stories of the championship, with several players making significant Sunday charges. In the end, however, Stephen Abernathy's consistency from start to finish proved to be the winning formula, earning the Richmond Tour standout a well-deserved Players Championship title over a highly competitive field.

Mike Hale saved his best golf for Sunday and completed an impressive comeback to capture the C Flight Players Championship at Beechwood Country Club. After opening with a 90, Hale responded with one of the best rounds of the day, a 7-shot improvement to 83, finishing at 173 (+29) to earn the title.

Hale's closing round proved to be the difference as several players entered Sunday with a chance to win. Tim Sayles posted matching rounds of 88-88 to claim solo second at 176 (+32), while John Frye rallied with an 86 after a first-round 92 to secure third place at 178 (+34).

Just one shot behind Frye was Mike Grant, who finished fourth at 179 (+35) after rounds of 89-90. Dre Beaufort rounded out the top five at 182 (+38), despite leading the group after an opening-round 88 before a difficult final round.

The battle for sixth ended in a tie between Bobby Hargett and Tom Fitzsimmons, both finishing at 183 (+39). Hargett posted one of the day's biggest improvements, trimming 11 strokes off his opening round with an 86, while Fitzsimmons improved seven shots with an 88. Jamall Garrett completed the top eight at 184 (+40).

C Flight was a showcase of perseverance, with several competitors making significant Sunday moves. In the end, Mike Hale's outstanding closing 83 was the lowest round among the contenders and the key to securing the Players Championship trophy, capping off an impressive come-from-behind victory.

Jeremiah Niesen put together one of the best comeback performances of the championship, overcoming a first-round 98 with a superb closing 85 to capture the D Flight Players Championship with a 36-hole total of 183 (+39). His 13-shot improvement on Sunday was the largest among the top contenders and proved to be the difference in a tightly contested division.

The battle for second came down to the final holes as John Parrish and Jim O'Neill finished tied at 185 (+41). Parrish followed his opening 96 with a strong 89, while O'Neill opened with a tournament-best 91 before closing with 94, leaving both players just two shots shy of the championship.

Brian Casten finished fourth at 192 (+48) after making an impressive Sunday improvement of 12 strokes, posting a 90 after an opening 102. Richard Thomas and Keith Miller shared fifth place at 194 (+50), each recording identical rounds of 99-95.

Rounding out the top finishers were Will Edwards, who placed seventh at 195 (+51), and David Faggert, who finished eighth at 197 (+53).

D Flight was a story of resilience and perseverance, with several players making significant improvements during the final round. Jeremiah Niesen's outstanding Sunday 85 not only erased his first-round deficit but also secured the Players Championship title, completing an impressive come-from-behind victory at Beechwood Country Club.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Players Championship winners and thank you to everyone who competed in another outstanding weekend at Beechwood Country Club!