Francisco Bide Soaks in Unforgettable PGA Championship Experience at Aronimink

By: Sloan Aubrey | May 19, 2026

For Francisco Bide, competing in his first PGA Championship was about far more than just golf scores and leaderboards. It was the realization of a lifelong dream, and one he shared with the people closest to him.

The Capital City Club Head Golf Professional earned his spot in the 2026 PGA Championship field after a T-10 finish at the PGA Professional Championship earlier this spring. From May 14-17, Bide teed it up alongside the best players in the world at Aronimink Golf Club as part of the Corebridge Financial Team.

“The experience has been so much fun,” said Bide before the championship began. “Being able to play here means the world to me. Super excited to play this championship and to play this golf course. It is going to be a very hard test, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Even with previous PGA TOUR experience, including competing in The RSM Classic after earning 2024 Georgia PGA Player of the Year honors, Bide quickly realized a major championship carries a different atmosphere.

“Having played The RSM kind of prepared me for what this would be like, except that this is five times bigger,” Bide said. “It helps me not be so star struck with the players, but this is unbelievable.”

Paired with PGA TOUR players Harry Hall and Ryan Gerard, Bide embraced the challenge of Aronimink’s demanding setup, including thick rough and fast, sloping greens.

“I’m sure it is going to be nerve wracking, but I’m just looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “I’m going to play my own game. I know it’s cliché, but I just have to go shot by shot and hit fairways and greens.”

Bide opened the championship with a gritty first round, sitting just 1-over par through 13 holes before a difficult closing stretch led to a 6-over-par 76. On Friday, with the pressure easing and the experience settling in, Bide focused on soaking in every moment of the championship. He carded a 9-over-par 79, but fittingly closed his PGA Championship debut with a par on the final hole before embracing his children beside the 18th green.

While the championship itself was special, it was the moments outside the ropes that made the week unforgettable.

Bide’s parents traveled from Argentina to watch him compete, walking every hole and cheering him on throughout the tournament. Friday also brought another meaningful memory as his brother, Bernardo, served as his caddie during the second round.

Another special Georgia PGA moment came Friday when Georgia PGA Honorary President and District 13 Director, Cary Brown, had the honor of announcing fellow Georgia PGA Professional Francisco Bide to the tee during his round at the PGA Championship.

Just as memorable was the experience shared by Bide’s wife, Leigh, and their children, who were able to see firsthand what life inside a major championship looks like. The kids attended “tour school” activities throughout the week and embraced every moment around the championship atmosphere.

“It meant everything to have our family there,” said Leigh. “The kids loved every minute of it. It also gave me such an appreciation for the wives and families out there every week on TOUR. There is so much going on behind the scenes with the kids and family life that people never see, and it made me admire everything they do even more.”

Leigh was incredibly proud to watch Francisco compete on one of golf’s biggest stages and especially thankful that their children were able to experience the week alongside him.

After his rounds concluded, the family remained at Aronimink on Saturday to enjoy the championship together as spectators, one final opportunity to take in the atmosphere and celebrate a week none of them will forget.

Reflecting on his week at Aronimink, Bide spoke about just how much the experience meant to him.

“It was an unbelievable experience that I will remember forever,” Bide said. “It still feels sort of surreal to have played with the top players in the world. The support and recognition I received from other players in the Section, Capital City Club and the Georgia PGA was incredible, and it pushes me to keep getting better and try to get out there again.”

And in true PGA Professional fashion, Bide’s focus quickly turned back toward competition. Despite spending the week at a major championship, he remained committed to returning home for the Georgia PGA Match Play Championship just days later.

“If I have to change my flight, I’ll be happy to do so,” Bide said before the event. “I am very realistic and the chances of me making the cut are not very high, but I am going to try my best.”

Despite the whirlwind week, Bide battled his way to the third round of match play before falling 3 & 2 to eventual champion Matt Nagy.

That mindset, humility, dedication, and love for the game, is exactly what made Bide’s PGA Championship debut such a proud moment for the Georgia PGA.