This week in golf sees a captivating mix of high-stakes competitions and revered venues. With significant prize funds on the line, elite players will be tested on some of the sport’s most historic courses.
LIV Golf is back, hosting its third event of the season with the $30 million LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament at the iconic Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Simultaneously, the PGA Tour features one of its premier events, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, offering a $20 million purse at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, a staple since 1979.
The tournament schedules this week highlight the continued significance of traditional courses in professional golf. Bay Hill, established in 1965, challenges modern players with its length of over 7,300 yards, proving that classic designs maintain their competitive edge.
The Hong Kong Golf Club, founded in 1889 and previously known as Royal Hong Kong Golf Club, is steeped in tournament history. It has hosted a multitude of events across the Asian Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf, in addition to prominent amateur championships. A significant aspect of its legacy is the Hong Kong Open, part of the DP World Tour since 1959.
In South Africa, the Joburg Open takes place at Houghton Golf Club, a course recognized for its excellence since its design in 1926. This course has a prestigious history, having hosted the South African Open eight times, with the inaugural event occurring in 1951.
As golf equipment technology progresses, there is concern regarding the relevance of older courses at the top tier. While modern layouts play a vital role in the sport, hopes remain that traditional venues will continue to play an essential part in global tours and elite amateur events.
On the competitive side, Patrick Reed is making strides in the DP World Tour by participating in the Joburg Open, where he leads the Race to Dubai Rankings. This season has revealed a notable pattern, with Reed, Jayden Schaper, and Casey Jarvis, the top three players in the standings, each securing multiple victories. If this trend persists, it may become increasingly challenging for others to narrow the point gap.
The MENA Golf Tour continues its activities in Morocco, where Chris Wood, a three-time winner this season and the leader of the Order of Merit, is also competing.
The schedule for this week includes several exciting events:
LIV Golf Hong Kong
March 5 – March 8, 2026
Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling
Purse: $30 million
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, PGA Tour
March 5 – March 8, 2026
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Purse: $20 million
Joburg Open, DP World Tour
March 5 – March 8, 2026
Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Purse: ZAR 20,500,000
Hilton Classic, MENA Golf Tour
March 2 – March 4, 2026
Al Houara Golf Club, Morocco
Purse: $100,000
Blue Bay LPGA, LPGA Tour
March 5 – March 8, 2026
Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, Hainan Island, China
Purse: $2.6 million
Australian Women’s Classic, Ladies European Tour
March 5 – March 8, 2026
Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club
Purse: AUS$600,000
This week promises to deliver exciting competitions, showcasing the enduring appeal of golf’s classic courses alongside modern challenges.