While the PGA Tour’s top names compete at the RBC Heritage, the Corales Puntacana Championship, an alternate-field event, offers crucial pathways for emerging talents. The winner earns a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. They also earn 300 FedEx Cup points and entry into this year’s PGA Championship. These rewards make the tournament particularly valuable for emerging players. “It’s all over the place right now, to tell you the truth,” said Billy Horschel after claiming his eighth career win here in 2024. His victory showcased how this tournament can reignite careers. This event represents a critical chance for many professionals seeking to secure their futures on the PGA Tour. The format and cut rules of this Dominican Republic-based championship deserve a closer look.

2025 Corales Puntacana Championship: Make the cut or go home

The 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship, taking place from April 14-20, follows a traditional 72-hole stroke-play format. It features a field of 132 professional golfers competing on the challenging Corales Golf Course. Notable names in this year’s field include Seamus Power, Keith Mitchell, and past champion Joel Dahmen. The par-72 layout stretches to an impressive 7,670 yards.

After 36 holes, a standard PGA Tour cut eliminates a significant portion of the field. Only the top 65 players and ties advance to the weekend rounds. Making the cut guarantees a share of the $4 million prize purse and valuable FedEx Cup points.

Should players tie for the lead after 72 holes, the championship employs a sudden-death playoff format. The tied players compete on the 18th hole repeatedly until a winner emerges. This creates immediate drama and ensures a timely conclusion to the tournament.

US viewers can catch the action on the Golf Channel throughout the tournament. The broadcast begins at 10:00 AM EDT on Thursday and Friday. Weekend coverage shifts to 3:00 PM EDT on Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament has witnessed several memorable moments since becoming a PGA Tour event in 2018.

Memorable moments at the Dominican showcase

Joel Dahmen’s performance in 2025 stands out as particularly remarkable. He set a new course record with a stunning 10-under-par 62 in the opening round. Billy Horschel’s dominant victory in 2024 also looms large in the tournament’s history. He fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 in the final round. Having struggled to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, his win represented a significant career revival. This year, Horschel won’t defend his title as he’s competing at the RBC Heritage instead. His triumph demonstrated that the Corales Puntacana Championship can revitalize careers.

The championship’s evolution reflects its growing significance on the PGA Tour calendar. It began as a Web.com Tour event in 2016. It then transitioned to PGA Tour status in 2018 as an alternate event. The tournament’s strategic scheduling allows players who don’t qualify for signature events to still compete. They battle for valuable FedEx Cup points and substantial prize money from the $4 million purse.

The challenging closing three-hole stretch at Corales, known as the “Devil’s Elbow,” adds to the event’s drama. Natural cliffs and coralina quarries frame this section. It tests players’ nerves and shot-making abilities. The ocean winds often intensify during these final holes. This creates memorable finishes that define the tournament’s character.

What are your predictions for this year’s Corales Puntacana Championship? Do you think another dark horse will emerge victorious? Let us know in the comments section below!