Sainz Jr. and Uresti Capture Omega Transactions Memorial Championship Titles
COLUMBUS, TEXAS (May 20, 2026) — The Southern Texas PGA returned to Big Easy Ranch on May 18-19 for the 2026 Omega Transactions Memorial Championship, where shifting weather, difficult scoring conditions, and two strong closing performances defined the championship in Columbus.
Round One brought heavy winds across Big Easy Ranch, forcing players to manage ball flight, stay patient, and grind through difficult conditions. Round Two began with light morning rain that delayed tee times, but the weather eventually gave way to a beautiful afternoon as the wind settled and scoring opportunities opened across the course.
In the Open Division, Carlos Sainz Jr. entered the final round tied for second after an opening-round 70. With the conditions changing from the day before, Sainz Jr. knew players would have chances to make a move.
“I figured with the weather being a lot different than it was yesterday, there was going to be a lot of birdies,” Sainz Jr. said. “I felt like I did what I needed to do on the front nine.”
From there, the final nine became less about chasing and more about managing the moment. He did not look at a leaderboard until the 17th hole, instead focusing on staying patient, getting the ball in the right spots, and relying on a series of key up-and-downs and putts to keep his round together.
“I really didn’t play that great on the back nine, but I was able to make some scrappy pars, up and downs, and good putts,” Sainz Jr. said. “Sometimes it’s just damage mitigation. I didn’t hit it that crisp on the back nine. Honestly, a little nervous.”
The field continued to push behind him. Erik Knudsen fired one of the best rounds of the championship with a second-round 66, while Ryan Baca posted a 68 and Steven Chervony added a 69 to stay in contention. Sainz Jr. credited the challenge of Big Easy Ranch’s greens and hole locations for keeping the closing stretch demanding, especially when approach shots missed their targets.
The final hole delivered one of the most memorable moments of the championship. After a difficult second shot on No. 18, Sainz Jr. faced a 220-yard approach and pulled five wood. The shot hit the flagstick and left him with a two-putt par, creating a dramatic finish. Sainz Jr. finished with rounds of 70-67–137, 7-under-par, securing the Omega Transactions Memorial Championship Open Division title.
“I was aiming for the middle of the green, left of the flag, and just pushed it. It was definitely a memorable finish, that’s for sure.” Sainz Jr. said.
In the Senior Division, Omar Uresti, PGA added another Southern Texas PGA title to his resume after battling through a difficult start and producing one of the strongest back-nine stretches of the championship.
Uresti hit some quality shots early but was unable to capitalize, then made bogeys on Holes 3, 4, and 9. At the same time, Jeff Hunter, PGA General Manager at Riverhill Country Club, began making a run with an electric final round that included seven birdies and a 66, putting pressure on the Senior Division leaderboard.
Uresti’s round turned on the back nine, beginning with an unlikely birdie on No. 12. After a poor drive left him in trouble, he advanced the ball near the green and holed what he called a “belly putt” with his sand wedge from just off the putting surface. From there, the round changed quickly. Uresti birdied Holes 14, 15, and 16, then added one more birdie on No. 18 to complete a bogey-free back nine.
“I was keeping up with the scores a little bit, and I saw Jeff was making a move, and I was like, uh-oh. I made it, so I thought, okay,” Uresti said of the birdie on No. 12. “Then that kind of got me going. I birdied 14, 15, and 16, and then birdied 18 to finish up.”
One of the biggest shots of the closing stretch came on No. 15, where Uresti hit a controlled pitching wedge from 82 yards into the wind to about a foot. He followed it with a downhill 10-footer on No. 16, which helped him settle in as the championship reached its final holes. Uresti followed his opening 68 with a second-round 69 to finish at 137, 7-under-par, claiming the Senior Division title.
The Southern Texas PGA extends its sincere appreciation to Omega Transactions for its continued support as Title Partner of the Memorial Championship. The Section also thanks supporting partners Yamaha, Sterling Cut Glass, GT Golf Supplies, ahead, TPC Industrial, Vortech Contracting, Maui Jim, OnPar Golf, and PGA Shows for their contributions to the championship experience.
The Southern Texas PGA also extends its sincere appreciation to Big Easy Ranch and its staff for hosting the championship and providing a first-class setting for two days of competition. Special thanks to Ricky Lyons, PGA General Manager; Paul Brewer, PGA Director of Golf; Matthew Boundy, PGA Head Professional; and the entire Big Easy staff for their hospitality, support, and efforts in helping create a memorable championship experience.
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With the Omega Transactions Memorial Championship complete, the Southern Texas PGA major championship season now turns to the Jets.com Tradition Championship, hosted at the historic Lakeside Country Club in Houston, Texas, on June 15-16, 2026.
For more information about the Jets.com Tradition Championship, please click here.
