PGA Tour players faced another demanding test of wind control during Thursday’s opening round of the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship, with the coastal conditions at Port Royal Golf Course becoming a major talking point as competition began in Southampton, Bermuda.
Golf Channel reporter Gabby Herzig examined the impact of the winds during first-round coverage on October 22, speaking with competitors about the challenges of playing on the exposed island layout.
The conditions placed additional emphasis on controlling ball flight, judging approach distances and making adjustments around the greens.
Despite those challenges, several players managed to post impressive early scores, including Ben Kohles, Ben Silverman and Danny Walker, who shared the clubhouse lead at eight under par during Thursday’s play.
The tournament continues through October 25, with further windy conditions possible over the weekend.
PGA Tour Players Face Challenging Winds at Bermuda Championship
Port Royal Golf Course has developed a reputation as one of the PGA Tour’s most demanding venues when strong winds arrive.
Although the course measures just 6,828 yards and plays to a par of 71, its location near the Atlantic Ocean creates challenges that are not immediately apparent from the scorecard.
During windy conditions, golfers must carefully control the height and direction of their shots while accounting for changes in how far the ball will travel.
An approach that requires a short iron in calm weather may demand a different club or trajectory when the wind increases.
Crosswinds can also affect the direction of tee shots, making accuracy particularly important on exposed holes.
Golf Channel’s first-round reporting highlighted how players were dealing with those conditions as the championship began.
Adam Schenk Explains Why Putting Can Be the Biggest Challenge
Defending champion Adam Schenk understands the difficulties of playing Port Royal in extreme wind better than most competitors.
The American captured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2025 Bermuda Championship, finishing at 12 under par after battling exceptionally windy conditions during the final round.
Speaking at an official pre-tournament press conference on October 21, Schenk recalled how the strong winds forced players to control the trajectory and spin of their shots.
He also identified putting as one of the most difficult parts of the experience.
Schenk described balls oscillating on the putting surface as strong gusts affected their stability.
The wind could even alter how putts broke across the green, creating situations where the expected direction of movement changed.
Despite those difficulties, Schenk managed to complete his final round in even-par 71 last year, securing a one-stroke victory over Chandler Phillips.
His performance demonstrated the importance of patience and creativity when conditions become unpredictable.
Ben James Focuses on Trajectory and Distance Control
Rookie Ben James entered the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship as one of the leading contenders following an impressive run of PGA Tour performances.
The 23-year-old American arrived with four top-five finishes from his previous six starts.
Before making his first competitive appearance at Port Royal, James discussed the importance of adapting his ball flight to the conditions.
During his October 21 press conference, he explained that keeping shots low and controlling distances with his irons were among the main challenges he expected.
James also pointed to his previous experience playing in windy conditions during college golf and at the U.S. Open.
Those experiences could prove useful at Port Royal, where the ability to adjust trajectory and club selection can become important throughout a round.
James entered the championship seeking his first PGA Tour victory.
Ben Kohles Overcomes Difficult Conditions With 11 Birdies
Despite the attention surrounding Port Royal’s wind, the opening round also produced some impressive scoring.
Ben Kohles carded an eight-under-par 63, recording 11 birdies and three bogeys during his first round.
His performance included a remarkable stretch of six consecutive birdies from the fifth through the 10th holes.
Kohles also birdied the par-5 17th, helping him move into a share of the clubhouse lead with Ben Silverman and Danny Walker at the time of Golf Channel’s Thursday report.
Silverman produced a bogey-free 63, demonstrating that low scores remained possible despite the conditions.
For Kohles, the result carried particular significance during the FedExCup Fall schedule.
The 36-year-old entered the week ranked 80th in the standings after recording three consecutive top-20 finishes.
A strong result in Bermuda could further strengthen his position as he attempts to secure PGA Tour playing privileges for 2027.
The opening scores also illustrated that difficult weather does not necessarily prevent birdies, particularly when players execute their shots effectively.
Weekend Forecast Raises Possibility of Stronger Winds
Golf Channel’s October 19 tournament forecast warned that conditions could become more demanding as the championship progressed.
The early forecast projected sustained winds of approximately 20–25 mph on Saturday, with gusts reaching 25–30 mph.
Sunday’s outlook called for even stronger conditions, including sustained winds of 23–28 mph and gusts potentially reaching 30–35 mph.
Rain was also identified as a possible factor during the closing rounds.
Those figures were pre-tournament forecasts rather than confirmed observations, and actual conditions remain subject to change.
If stronger winds develop, players may need to adjust their strategies and prioritize avoiding costly mistakes.
Why Wind Makes Port Royal Different From Other PGA Tour Courses
Port Royal’s difficulty is influenced by more than its coastal setting.
The layout features elevated greens, bunkers, changes in terrain and several holes where the wind can significantly affect shot selection.
The par-3 16th is among its most recognizable challenges.
Measuring 235 yards, the hole overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and requires accurate distance control.
Strong winds can make it difficult to select the correct club, while missing the green may leave players facing demanding recovery shots.
The exposed conditions also affect putting and the short game.
Schenk’s experiences during the 2025 championship demonstrated that controlling the ball near the green can be just as difficult as executing full swings.
PGA Tour analysis ahead of this year’s event highlighted Port Royal’s unusually demanding par-3 scoring averages during the previous championship.
In windy conditions, avoiding unnecessary mistakes can become as important as creating birdie opportunities.
FedExCup Fall Stakes Add Pressure in Bermuda
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship is the fourth event of the eight-tournament FedExCup Fall schedule.
The tournament features a $6 million purse, with $1.08 million and 500 FedExCup points available to the winner.
Beyond the prize money, the championship provides an important opportunity for players trying to protect their eligibility for next season.
Under the PGA Tour’s revised system, finishing inside the top 100 of the final FedExCup Fall standings offers a route to full-field playing status in 2027.
Golfers outside that group may need to rely on conditional eligibility or other exemptions.
For competitors close to the cutoff, challenging weather could make every saved stroke especially valuable.
What Comes Next at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship?
The second round takes place Friday, October 23, with the championship continuing through Sunday’s final round.
Kohles, Silverman and Walker made strong starts, while players further down the leaderboard will attempt to improve their positions as the tournament progresses.
Changing winds could influence scoring opportunities and create additional challenges for players competing near the top of the standings.
The biggest question is whether competitors can continue producing low rounds if the more difficult weekend conditions develop.
For now, the opening day has once again highlighted Port Royal’s distinctive character, where success depends not only on power and accuracy but also on the ability to adapt to the wind.