Smotherman beats Power in playoff to win Bermuda Championship
Austin Smotherman won his second PGA Tour event in a row, beating Ireland's Seamus Power on the third playoff hole in a Monday finish after wind wiped out the final round in Bermuda.
At a glance
- Austin Smotherman won the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Monday, October 26, 2026, beating Seamus Power on the third playoff hole.
- High winds cancelled Sunday's final round, so the event was cut to 54 holes; both players finished at 16 under par, 197.
- It was the 32-year-old American's second PGA Tour win in two starts, after the Bank of Utah Championship earlier in October.
- Smotherman earned $1.08 million and rose from 66th to 54th in the world ranking, close to a Masters invitation.
- Power earned $658,000 and secured his PGA Tour card for 2027.
American golfer Austin Smotherman won the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Monday, October 26, 2026, beating Ireland's Seamus Power on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff at Port Royal Golf Course. High winds had forced organisers to cancel Sunday's final round, cutting the PGA Tour event to 54 holes and leaving the two players tied at 16 under par. It was Smotherman's second straight PGA Tour victory.
How the playoff was decided
Smotherman shot 66 on Saturday and Power 67, leaving both on 197 after three rounds. With the final round wiped out, they returned on Monday morning for a playoff on the par-3 16th, a 178-yard hole that runs along the Atlantic Ocean.
Both made par on the first two playoff holes, with Power missing a 20-foot birdie putt that would have won him the title on the first. For the third playoff hole, the pin was moved to the front of the green, shortening it to 152 yards. Power missed the green into thick rough and could not save par from 16 feet, while Smotherman two-putted from about 14 feet to take the title.
| Position | Player | Country | Score (54 holes) | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Smotherman | United States | −16 (197), won playoff | $1.08 million |
| 2 | Seamus Power | Ireland | −16 (197) | $658,000 |
Two wins in two starts
Smotherman, 32, had needed about 100 starts to win his first PGA Tour event, the Bank of Utah Championship earlier this month. He followed it with a second win in his very next start, joining England's Matt Fitzpatrick as a player to win tour events in back-to-back starts in 2026.
The win brings big rewards. Smotherman moved from 66th to 54th in the Official World Golf Ranking — he was 121st before the Utah victory — and a place inside the top 50 by the end of the year would earn him an invitation to the Masters at Augusta in April. He is also exempt through 2029, and his rise to 51st in the FedEx Cup Fall standings should give him starts in the first two signature events of 2027.
"Port Royal, Bermuda, everything, it's easy to enjoy this week," Smotherman said, adding that he wanted to get home to celebrate with his family.
Consolation for Power
Power, who won this event in 2022, came into the week ranked 196th in the world. His runner-up finish lifted him from 103rd to 68th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, which secures his PGA Tour card for next season. "That was a big goal for the fall, to get a top 100 locked up," he said.
Why it matters
The FedEx Cup Fall series decides which players keep their tour cards and who earns places in the biggest events of the following season. For Smotherman, two wins in a row have transformed his career in a month, from a player fighting for status to one on the edge of a first Masters start.
What happens next
The FedEx Cup Fall series continues for the next few weeks, with the season ending in November. Smotherman needs to stay in the world top 50 at the end of the year to secure his Masters invitation, while Power will look to build on his card-saving finish.
Questions people are asking
Who won the 2026 Bermuda Championship?
Austin Smotherman won the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship, beating Ireland's Seamus Power on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff on Monday, October 26, after both finished 54 holes at 16 under par.
Why was the Bermuda Championship shortened?
High winds forced organisers to cancel Sunday's scheduled final round, so the tournament was reduced to 54 holes and the playoff was held on Monday.
How much did Austin Smotherman win in Bermuda?
Smotherman earned $1.08 million from the $6 million purse, while runner-up Seamus Power took $658,000.
