There are weeks that carry a different weight. In Buenos Aires, the 119th VISA Open de Argentina presented by Macro blends century-old legacy, international projection, and a direct berth into The Open—transforming the historic Argentine Open into a pivotal stop on the Korn Ferry Tour calendar.
Key Facts
- The 156-player field represents 20 countries: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Chile, Korea, Denmark, Scotland, United States, France, India, England, Cayman Islands, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Czech Republic, South Africa, and Thailand.
- The field includes 14 PGA TOUR winners with a combined 23 victories. The most decorated among them is veteran Jonathan Byrd with five wins.
- Fifty-four players in the field account for 77 Korn Ferry Tour victories. Ben Kohles and Robby Shelton lead that group with four wins each.
- The two champions since the event became part of the Korn Ferry Tour are also competing: Mason Andersen (2024) and Justin Suh (2025).
- Three additional past champions are in the field: Maximiliano Godoy (2011), Jorge Fernández Valdés (2021), and Zach Fischer (2022). The latter two won when the tournament was part of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.
- Three players in the field are ranked inside the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking: Ian Holt (No. 107), Taylor Montgomery (No. 187), and Barend Botha (No. 188).
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – There are places where golf simply feels different. The Jockey Club de Buenos Aires is one of them. Founded in 1880, with 36 holes designed by Alister MacKenzie—the architect behind Augusta National and Cypress Point—this club is not just a venue; it is a living chapter of South American golf history.
This week, the Colorada Course, a par-70 measuring 6,836 yards, hosts the 119th VISA Open de Argentina presented by Macro, the fifth event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season.
The field brings together 156 players from 20 countries, competing for a $1 million purse and 500 points toward one of the 20 PGA TOUR cards awarded at season’s end. It may be only the fifth stop of a long season, but no one wants to fall behind. On a tour where the margin between promotion and missing out can be razor thin, every week matters.
This year’s edition carries special significance. It coincides with the centennial of the Argentine Golf Association, founded in 1926 at the very same Jockey Club, and for the first time joins The Open Qualifying Series. That means the leading non-exempt player will earn a direct spot in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. That pathway to one of golf’s most iconic majors makes Buenos Aires a crucial station on the global map.
The Argentine Open needs little introduction to sustain its prestige. First played in 1905, it is the seventh-oldest national open in the world. Roberto De Vicenzo won it nine times, Vicente “Chino” Fernández eight, and José Jurado seven. Ángel Cabrera, Emiliano Grillo, Mark O’Meara, and Jim Furyk have also lifted the trophy. Different eras, different styles, one shared understanding of what this championship represents.
From a competitive standpoint, attention centers on Ian Holt, No. 1 on the 2026 Points List and winner of two early-season events. James Nicholas, fresh off victory in Bogotá and currently third in the standings, arrives with momentum. Young Justin Hastings continues to validate his professional transition, while defending champion Justin Suh returns to regain the confidence that earned him the 2025 title.
The Latin American presence adds emotional depth. Thirteen players from the region—eleven Argentine—are in the field. For many, this is not just another tour stop; it is home. Jorge Fernández Valdés, a past champion and currently inside the top 15 in the 2026 standings, embodies the balance of experience and ambition that can tip the scale.
The Colorada Course demands patience. It does not overwhelm with extreme length but requires precision off the tee and thoughtful positioning into well-protected greens. True to MacKenzie’s philosophy, it is strategic, challenging for higher handicaps, and fair to those who understand its angles.
The tournament’s bond with fans continues to grow. Weekend coverage will be streamed live on the Argentine Golf Association’s YouTube channel, bringing the drama of the closing stretch to audiences beyond the ropes.
The VISA Open de Argentina once again proves that its relevance does not rely solely on the names competing, but on the history that supports it and the future it projects. At the Jockey Club, beneath century-old trees and unforgettable memories, golf finds the perfect balance between tradition and opportunity.
Here, they play for points, prestige, and a place at the next level. Above all, they play to become part of a story that never stops being written.
