Weather conditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains have already thrown a wrench in the inaugural Biltmore Championship’s format and schedule.
“Valley fog” pushed Thursday’s first round back 30 minutes, with the Tour announcing moments later that preferred lies would be in effect for all four rounds in due to heavy rains and intense heat in the western North Carolina region.
Those factors created what the Tour called “challenging agronomic conditions during the finale phases of tournament preparation.”
Due to heavy rainfall and high temperatures in Western North Carolina creating challenging agronomic conditions during the final phases of tournament preparation, preferred lies will be in effect all four rounds at the Biltmore Championship Asheville.
— PGA Tour Communications (@PGATourComms) September 17, 2026
– PGA Tour Rules Committee
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is hosting Asheville’s first PGA Tour event since 1942.
The tournament, which is being played for a $5 million purse, is also the first of eight FedExCup Fall series events on the PGA Tour.
In addition to prize money, the 132-player field is competing for FedExCup points that determine playing status in 2027.
U.S. Presidents Cup teammates Jackson Koivun and Jacob Bridgeman enter as betting favorites, and also will play in a group together with local favorite Webb Simpson on Thursday and Friday.
