Zach Johnson, 2-time major champion, commits to 2026 Sanford International
2023 Ryder Cup Captain to make tournament debut
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Former 2-time major champion Zach Johnson has officially committed to competing in the 2026 Sanford International. The 2023 Ryder Cup captain and PGA TOUR Champions rookie will make his debut at the tournament, taking place Sept. 7-13 at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Johnson, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is currently in second place in the Charles Schwab Cup rankings thanks to four victories on TOUR this season (Portugal Invitational, Kaulig Companies Championship, Principal Charities Classic and James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational).
The winner of the 2007 Masters Tournament and the 2015 Open Championship, Johnson was the recipient of the 2020 Payne Stewart Award in honor of his character, sportsmanship and dedication to charitable giving.
Johnson joins a field of top-tier players already announced for this summer’s event, including fellow Sanford International rookies Justin Leonard, and Ben Crane. The field also features three World Golf Hall of Fame members in Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who returns as the 2025 defending champion, along with former Sanford International champions Rocco Mediate, Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Several of the current top 10 players in the Schwab Cup Standings are committed to play, including Boo Weekley, George McNeill, Els, Clarke and Johnson. Fan favorite John Daly is also set to make an appearance, alongside a deep group of additional major champions, including Mike Weir, Angel Cabrera, David Duval and Y.E. Yang. The tournament continues to attract a strong field year after year, in part due to players’ affinity for Minnehaha Country Club and the enthusiastic support of the Sioux Falls community.
The 2026 Sanford International kicks off the Sprint to St. Louis, a new six-event points-based competition spanning the final five events of the 2026 regular season and the first Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs event. The three highest Charles Schwab Cup Points earners among the final five regular-season events will be deemed Finalists for the Sprint to St. Louis presented by Compliance Solutions. The three Finalists will head to the Stifel Charity Classic in St. Louis, Missouri, with a chance to win the contest. The Finalist with the best tournament finish at the Stifel Charity Classic will win the $200,000 prize.
Tickets to the Sanford International, including access to watch the Greats of the Game exhibition, are on sale now at sanfordinternational.com.
Previous Sanford International Winners
2025 – Retief Goosen (-13) 2024 – Steve Stricker (-8) 2023 – Steve Stricker (-16)
2022 – Steve Stricker (-14)
2021 – Darren Clarke (-12)
2020 – Miguel Angel Jimenez (-14)
2019 – Rocco Mediate (-9)
2018 – Steve Stricker (-13)
