30th Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai tees off Thursday to start PGA Tour’s seniors season

The 2026 PGA Tour Champions season begins Thursday morning at 10 a.m. on the Big Island with the 30th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai.

Corey Pavin (1995 U.S. Open champion), Stephen Dodd (2021 Senior Open winner) and Olin Browne (2011 Senior Open victor) tee off in the first group of the tournament played on the par 72, 7,107-yard Hualālai Golf Course in Kaʻupulehu-Kona.

The 42-player field features six World Golf Hall of Fame members, including defending champion Ernie Els, 56 of South Africa.

The 54-hole tournament is the first of 28 PGA Tour Champions events for this season. The winner receives $340,000 of the $2 million purse.

Another golfer to watch is American Stewart Cink, 52, who was dominant last season on the senior tour. He won three tournaments, including the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club, and captured the Charles Schwab Cup for most season points.

Cink closed with a 4-under 67 to finish at 20-under 264, two strokes ahead of Steven Alker, who finished second in the season standings.

Much of Cink’s success can be attributed to his disciplined approach, consistent iron play and clear goal setting early in the season, according to the PGA Tour Champions.

Alker, 54 of New Zealand, won the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup and many other awards. He also was the champion at Hualālai in 2024.

Cink, Alker and Els will tee off last on Thursday at 12:23 p.m. For all of Thursday’s tee times, click here.

The 42 players in the field have combined for 17 PGA Tour major wins, 20 PGA Tour Champions major victories and 241 PGA Tour Champions titles.

Other notables in the field include Hall of Famers Fred Couples, Retief Goosen, Davis Love III and Vijay Singh.

To purchase tickets, go to MECgolf.com.

All three rounds of the 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai will be televised live on the Golf Channel. For more information about the tournament, visit PGATOUR.com.

For information about the PGA Tour Champions rules, format and regulations, click here.