Inside the Ropes: PGA Tour Launches New Mental Game Docuseries, Fall Schedule, and Scheffler’s Big Year
The PGA Tour is kicking off 2026 with a fresh lens on what it takes to compete at the highest level-not just physically, but mentally. A new documentary series titled Mindful debuts January 15, and it’s diving deep into the inner battles professional golfers face long before they step onto the tee box.
The first episode centers on Bud Cauley, a name many golf fans remember not just for his smooth swing, but for the resilience he’s shown since a devastating car accident in 2018. Cauley’s story isn’t just about recovery-it’s about the long, often invisible climb back to competitive relevance in one of the most mentally taxing sports on the planet.
Bud Cauley’s Comeback: More Than Just a Physical Recovery
Cauley, who honed his game as a junior in Jacksonville, Florida, missed nearly two full seasons after the crash. The injuries were serious, and the road back wasn’t just about rebuilding his body-it was about regaining the confidence to compete under pressure.
Mindful takes viewers behind the scenes of that journey. Through interviews with Cauley, his family, and close friends, the episode explores the mental hurdles he faced-doubt, fear, frustration-and the mindset it took to push through. It’s a raw, honest look at a side of golf that rarely gets the spotlight.
And the comeback? It’s real.
Last season, Cauley notched four top-10 finishes, including a strong T-6 showing at The Players Championship. He finished 47th in the FedEx Cup standings and begins the 2026 season ranked No. 70 in the world.
That’s not just a return-it’s a statement.
The series, produced by PGA Tour Studios in Ponte Vedra Beach, will be available on the Tour’s YouTube channel, website, and social media platforms. It follows in the footsteps of other well-received features like Scottie 24 and Xander Embedded, but Mindful promises to carve out its own space by focusing on what happens between the ears.
Fall Schedule Set: RSM Classic Returns to Close Out 2026
The PGA Tour also rolled out its 2026 FedEx Cup Fall schedule, and once again, Georgia’s Golden Isles will host the season finale. The RSM Classic, a staple since 2010, returns to Sea Island Resort from November 19-22.
The eight-event fall slate kicks off September 17-20 with a new face on the calendar: the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, North Carolina. Held at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove, it marks the first PGA Tour event in the Blue Ridge Mountains since 1942. That’s a long time coming for a region with deep golf roots.
Another notable shift: the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, traditionally a spring event, moves to the fall (October 29-November 1) in Vallarta. It’ll be followed by the World Wide Technology Championship (November 5-8) at El Cardonal in Los Cabos-a course designed by none other than Tiger Woods.
The Tour then heads to Austin, Texas, for the Good Good Championship at Omni Barton Creek (November 12-15), before wrapping up with the RSM Classic.
Other stops in the fall lineup include returns to Japan, Utah, and Bermuda. All eight events will be broadcast on Golf Channel and the World Feed, with PGA Tour Studios once again handling production.
Scheffler Earns Top Honors After Dominant 2025
When it comes to performance, few matched what Scottie Scheffler accomplished in 2025. The Golf Writers Association of America recognized that dominance, voting him the Men’s Professional Player of the Year with 62.7% of the vote-edging out Rory McIlroy, who had a strong year of his own with wins at The Players and The Masters.
Scheffler’s resume last season was stacked: six wins, including both the PGA Championship and the British Open, and 17 top-10 finishes in just 20 starts. That kind of consistency is rare, even among the game’s elite. It’s no surprise he also claimed his fourth PGA Tour Player of the Year award, as voted by his peers in December.
On the women’s side, 22-year-old Thai sensation Jeeno Thitikul took home Player of the Year honors after notching three victories, including a successful title defense at the CME Group Tour Championship. She heads into 2026 as the world’s No. 1.
Rounding out the honors, Stewart Cink was named Senior Player of the Year after a three-win campaign on the PGA Tour Champions, capped by a victory at the Schwab Cup Championship.
Between the launch of Mindful, a refreshed fall schedule, and standout performances from golf’s biggest names, 2026 is already shaping up to be a compelling year on the PGA Tour. Whether you're tuning in for the mental grind, the competitive fire, or the scenic backdrops, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow.