Francisco Bide Caps Remarkable Season with Second Rolex Georgia PGA Player of the Year Title

By: Sloan Aubrey | October 27, 2026

Francisco Bide, PGA Head Professional at Capital City Club, has been named the 2026 Rolex Georgia PGA Player of the Year, reclaiming the prestigious honor following a remarkable season highlighted by consistent performances, championship victories and his debut in the PGA Championship.

Bide secured his second Player of the Year title at the Milton Martin Honda Classic, held October 12–13 at Jennings Mill Country Club in Athens, Georgia. Entering the final points event of the season atop the standings, Bide capped off his campaign with a playoff victory, putting the finishing touches on an exceptional year.

For Bide, the accomplishment carries an added layer of significance. After earning his first Rolex Georgia PGA Player of the Year title in 2024, he entered the final event of the 2025 season with an opportunity to defend his crown. At Chattahoochee Golf Club, the race came down to the 18th green, where a missed putt and closing bogey ultimately left Bide third in the final Player of the Year standings.

One year later, Bide returned to the Milton Martin Honda Classic with another opportunity to finish the season on top. This time, he made the most of it, securing both the tournament victory and the season-long honor in a fitting conclusion to his 2026 campaign.

“What an amazing year,” Bide reflected. “It all started with Bandon. I had a great four days there that got me into the PGA Championship. It is hard to put into words what that experience meant to me.”

Bide’s season began with a T-10 finish at the PGA Professional Championship in Bandon, Oregon, earning him a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. Competing as part of the Corebridge Financial Team, Bide made his major championship debut May 14–15 alongside PGA TOUR players Harry Hall and Ryan Gerard.

While competing against the world’s best was a career milestone, the experience held even greater meaning because of the family who shared it with him. Bide’s parents traveled from Argentina to watch him compete, his brother Bernardo served as his caddie during the second round, and his wife, Leigh, and their children were there to experience the championship alongside him.

Throughout the remainder of the season, Bide established himself as one of the Section’s most consistent competitors. He recorded top-five finishes in every Georgia PGA Player of the Year points event outside of the Match Play Championship, where he finished tied for 15th. Although victories were initially hard to come by, his steady play kept him near the top of the standings throughout the year.

“I didn’t win any tournaments, really, until the Georgia Open, which was the first Player of the Year points event that I finished first,” Bide said. “But I kept hanging in there, had a very consistent year, so I finished pretty high in all the events.”

At the Milton Martin Honda Classic, Bide once again demonstrated the steady play that had defined his season. After opening with a 3-under-par round to take the lead, he battled Jin Chung, PGA, throughout the final round. The two separated themselves from the field, finishing regulation tied at 4-under-par before Bide emerged victorious in a playoff, earning his first Section major victory of the season.

“It feels amazing to finish the year with the win at the Milton Martin again,” Bide said.

While Bide’s individual accomplishments speak for themselves, he emphasized that his success would not have been possible without the support of those around him.

“It takes a village to compete for POY, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of my CCC team and my wife, Leigh — the rock of our family,” Bide said. “I’m grateful to have such an amazing team and an even more amazing partner by my side. This journey is never a solo effort, and I’m thankful for everyone who has played a part in it.”

In addition to adding his name to the Billy Weir Trophy for a second time, Bide’s Player of the Year honor earns him an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s 2026 RSM Classic, scheduled for November 19–22 at Sea Island Golf Club.

The opportunity marks another milestone in a competitive career that has reached new heights over the past several seasons. Bide previously competed in The RSM Classic after earning his first Player of the Year title in 2024, and his upcoming appearance will mark his third PGA TOUR event.

“That’s pretty cool. I don’t think I would have dreamed about it at the beginning of the year,” Bide said. “It’s so cool that the Georgia PGA does all this for us. I can’t put it into words what it means to be able to play now in a third PGA TOUR event. I wouldn’t have even thought of it before 2024.”

Having experienced the intensity of a major championship earlier this year, Bide believes his time at Aronimink will prove valuable as he prepares to compete at Sea Island. The experience gave him a firsthand look at the demanding course conditions and level of precision required to compete against the world’s best.

“No doubt it will help,” Bide said. “Just being able to see the conditions they play in day in and day out, I’ll be able to prepare better and know what to expect. The conditions are so different from what we are used to. The pins are tucked on every hole, the greens are firm and fast.”

From narrowly missing out on back-to-back Player of the Year titles in 2025 to returning to the top of the standings in 2026, Bide’s journey has been defined by perseverance, consistency and a commitment to competing at the highest level.

With two Rolex Georgia PGA Player of the Year titles, championship victories and appearances on some of golf’s biggest stages, Bide continues to establish himself among the Section’s premier PGA Professionals. His 2026 season adds another chapter to an impressive competitive career, with one more opportunity awaiting him on the PGA TOUR stage this November.

The top five in the final 2026 Georgia PGA Player of the Year standings are:

Francisco Bide, PGA – Capital City Club
Jacob Tilton, PGA – Ansley Golf Club
Jin Chung, PGA – Château Élan Golf Club
Matt Sanders, PGA – West Pines Golf Club
Luke James, PGA – Jennings Mill Country Club

For full final standings, visit: Georgia PGA Player of the Year Standings.

For more information about the Georgia PGA, visit www.georgiapga.com.