News, Updates, and Our Takes

Michael Fincham from New Bern, N.C. is the official World Amateur golf champion, defeating 60 other golfers in the Flight Winners Playoff of the 2026 Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship Friday played at Grande Dunes Resort Course in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Fincham defeated Bruce Shively (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) in a one-hole playoff as Roger Parker (Concord, N.C.) finished third.

Night 4 of “The World’s Largest 19th Hole” at the 43rd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship featured more skills challenges hosted by St. André Golf, a visit from Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Pivarnik, multi-genre tribute band SNAP and more from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Photographer David Williams captured all the action, once more showcasing the essence of World Am camaraderie and revelry you can only find in The Golf Capital of the World®!

As players made their final push today in pursuit of winning their flights to advance to Friday’s championship round, Thursday’s Round 4 of the 43rd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship wrapped up regulation play with a flourish! Check out today’s photo galleries from The Golf Capital of the World® including course action at Diamondback Golf Club, and highlights from Wednesday night’s “World’s Largest 19th Hole” festivities at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Picture-perfect golf weather once more welcomed players to Day 3 of the 43rd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship Wednesday! Check out today’s photo galleries from course action up and down the 60-mile stretch of The Golf Capital of the World®, including play at Blackmoor and Meadowlands, plus Tuesday night highlights from “The World’s Largest 19th Hole.”

Another warm, sunny day for golf welcomed players to Day 2 of the 43rd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship Tuesday! Check out today’s photo galleries from The Golf Capital of the World®, including Round 2 course action at SouthCreek at Myrtle Beach National and highlights from Monday evening’s festivities at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for “The World’s Largest 19th Hole.”

Day 1 of the 43rd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship teed off Monday under sunny skies and seasonal late summer temperatures. Check out today’s photo galleries from course action in The Golf Capital of the World®, including play at Barefoot-Love and Legends-Parkland, as well as registration weekend activities at PGA TOUR Superstore & Sunday evening’s Welcome Party at Ole Smoky Distillery.

Ole Smoky Distillery & Yee-Haw Brewing Company, the latest entertainment attraction at Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach, is proud to partner with the Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship in 2026 as the new host of this year’s World Am Welcome Party!

Highlights include an opening ceremony with recognition of past winners in attendance along with random drawing prizes.

So you’re already registered for the World Am — congrats, you’re officially one of the 3,000+ playing golf’s biggest amateur event in the Golf Capital of the World®! But here’s a fun little side quest you might not know about: while you’re here, you can also throw your hat in the ring for the Pairs Competition, and honestly, it might be the best $50 you spend all week.

Play Golf Myrtle Beach is proud to announce the 43rd annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship field is now officially full for the acclaimed 72-hole tournament to be contested Aug. 31 – Sept. 4.
The annual event has reached its maximum field of 3,000 participants, cementing its status as one of the most highly sought-after and unique experiences in golf. With registration now closed, tournament officials have opened an alternate list for people who still wish to secure a spot in the historic event.

With more than 2,800 now registered and the weekend coming, you’ve got two important reasons to get your Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship registration in by Friday night.
One is to secure your spot before the field fills up (and it’s filling fast!).
The other is to do so at the lowest available World Am discount rate of $699, for you to join us for this year’s edition of “the largest, most fun, and most valuable golf tournament on the planet.”

A number of the same courses that are part of the World Am total course rotation have seen LPGA legends, future major champions, and top college programs battle it out on their fairways. That’s not just cool trivia — it’s a genuine testament to the quality of Myrtle Beach golf.

Here are five World Am courses that have walked the walk on the biggest stages.

Of the 55 participating courses in this year’s Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship just four bear the treasured signature of “The King,” Arnold Palmer. Of those, two in particular stand out not just for their top-shelf designs but also for notable upgrades each has received in the past few years alone.