Padraig Harrington, Steven Alker and K.J. Choi Commit to Compete in Inaugural Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens

Rhea-AI Summary

The inaugural Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event, has secured commitments from top players Padraig Harrington, Steven Alker, and K.J. Choi. Set for October 21-27 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas, the tournament will feature 54 players competing for a $2.3 million purse. This event marks the first-ever PGA TOUR event in Arkansas and the second round of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. With these additions, five of the top ten in the current Charles Schwab Cup standings will participate. The championship aims to support multiple nonprofit organizations in Arkansas through its charitable arm.

Positive

• First-ever PGA TOUR event held in Arkansas, potentially increasing visibility for Simmons Bank (SFNC)
• Participation of top-ranked players may attract more spectators and media attention
• $2.3 million purse could draw high-caliber competitors, enhancing the event's prestige
• Tournament's charitable focus may improve Simmons Bank's corporate image and community relations

Negative

• None.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Three more of the top players in the current Charles Schwab Cup standings, No. 3 Steven Alker, No. 6 K.J. Choi and No. 9 Padraig Harrington, have declared their intention to compete in the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship, October 21-27, tournament officials announced today.

Earlier, No. 1 Ernie Els, a four-time major champion, and No. 10 Jerry Kelly committed to play. Now five of the top ten in the current Charles Schwab Cup standings are heading to Little Rock.

Harrington, 53, owns eight career titles on the PGA TOUR Champions, two of those this season. One of those victories was the DICK'S Open, which he won for the third consecutive year. Harrington also has made seven starts on the PGA TOUR this year, with his best finish a T22 at The Open Championship.

The Irishman won six times on the PGA TOUR, including three major championships—The Open Championship in 2007, the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2008. Harrington was a member of Europe's Ryder Cup team six times and served as Europe's Captain in 2020.

Alker, 63, has eight wins since he started playing on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2020.The New Zealander has 51 top-ten finishes in 69 starts during that period. One of those was a T5 on  Sunday. The 2022 Charles Schwab Cup champion won four times that year, including the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. This year he owns one title and has been among the top ten 12 times.

Choi, 54, won The Senior Open Championship in June for his first major title on the PGA TOUR Champions and his second career win.

The Republic of South Korea native won eight times on the PGA TOUR between 2002 and 2011. His last win on the PGA TOUR was THE PLAYERS Championship in 2011. He was on three International Teams for the Presidents Cup, which is being contested next week in Canada.

The inaugural Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas with activities throughout the week of Oct. 21-27. Tournament play will take place Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 27. The tournament will serve as the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions annual Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. The field will consist of the top 54 players in the standings competing for $2.3 million in prize money and a chance to earn their spot among the top 36 in the final event of the season.

Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens—a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event—are now on sale and more options have recently been added for the general public. For a complete listing of ticket options or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at simmonsbankchampionship.com

Corporate sponsorships and hospitality packages as well as playing positions and teams in our official Pro-Am golf experience are also available for purchase. For more information, visit the website or contact sales@simmonsbankchampionship.com.

The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be the first-ever PGA TOUR event held in Arkansas, and the first PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournament held in the state since the Korn Ferry Tour's Fort Smith Classic, which was last contested in 2010. Net proceeds from the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will used by the tournament's charitable arm to support multiple nonprofit organizations in the state of Arkansas.

For more information about the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on tournament news, visit the tournament website, simmonsbankchampionship.com.

Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, a PGA TOUR Champions Charles Schwab Cup Playoff event contested in Little Rock, Arkansas, will be played at Pleasant Valley Country Club the week of October 21-27, featuring a 54-player field and a $2.3 million purse. In its inaugural year, the tournament will focus on charitable giving and making a lasting impression on the State of Arkansas. For more information about the tournament, visit the tournament website (simmonsbankchampionship.com) or follow the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens on Facebook (@SimmonsBankChampionship), Instagram (@sbgolfchamp), X [formerly Twitter] (@sbgolfchamp), TikTok (@sbgolfchamp), LinkedIn (@SimmonsBankChampionship) and YouTube (@SimmonsBankChampionship).

Simmons Bank
Simmons Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC), a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends for 115 consecutive years. Simmons Bank operates 234 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2024, Simmons Bank was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For in the South and by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Banks 2024 in Tennessee and America's Best-In-State Employers 2024 in Missouri.

Stephens
"Stephens" (the company brand name) is a leading family-owned investment firm that includes Stephens Inc. (member NYSE/SIPC), Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, Stephens Insurance, LLC, Stephens Capital Partners LLC and Stephens Europe Limited.

Stephens Inc. is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded in 1933, Stephens Inc. provides securities brokerage, investment banking and other financial services to a broad client base which includes corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions, institutional investors and individual investors throughout the United States and overseas. Stephens Inc. (Home Office: 111 Center Street, Little Rock, AR USA, 501-377-2000) is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Member SIPC/NYSE. For more information, visit www.stephens.com.

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SOURCE Simmons Bank

FAQ

When and where will the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship take place?

The inaugural Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will take place from October 21-27, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.

How many players will compete in the Simmons Bank Championship and what is the prize money?

The tournament will feature a field of 54 players competing for a $2.3 million purse.

Which top players have committed to the Simmons Bank Championship (SFNC)?

Padraig Harrington, Steven Alker, K.J. Choi, Ernie Els, and Jerry Kelly, who are all in the top ten of the current Charles Schwab Cup standings, have committed to play in the tournament.

What is the significance of the Simmons Bank Championship for Arkansas?

It will be the first-ever PGA TOUR event held in Arkansas and the first PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournament in the state since 2010.