John Wright wins Golfweek Pirate’s Cup as winds test field at TPC Tampa Bay
February 17, 2026 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: View results for Pirate’s Cup, TPC of Tampa Bay

John Wright’s steady 70-72-70 earns a two-shot Pirate’s Cup win in Tampa
John Wright didn’t just survive TPC Tampa Bay — he handled it better than anyone else.
The 62-year-old from Fairhope, Ala., opened with the only under-par round of the first day, a 1-under 70 in brutal winds, and never gave it back. He added rounds of 72 and 70 to finish at 1-under 212 (70-72-70), good for a two-shot win at the Golfweek Pirate’s Cup.
Joe Alfieri of Lutz, Fla., closed with 68 to finish runner-up at 1-over 214 (74-72-68).
Jerry Gunthorpe of Ovid, Mich., was third at 2-over 215 (74-74-67).
Wright, who runs a sod farm for a living, leaned on ball-striking and a wind game shaped by coastal Alabama. “I drove it extremely well,” he said. “Putting was suspect at times, but I made the putts I needed to.”
The win also fits the kind of schedule he’s been piecing together. Last year, Wright played nine ranked events, highlighted by a T-2 at the Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship in April and an eighth-place finish at the Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship — his two top-10s of the season.
In the Super Senior division, Scott Ray of Central City, Ky., rallied with 73-73 over the final two rounds to post 12-over 225 (79-73-73) and beat Bryan Rodgers of Knoxville, Tenn., in a playoff. Rodgers also finished at 225 (77-73-75).
Greg Osborne of Lititz, Pa., claimed the Legend division at 4-over 217 (77-70-70), six clear of Bobby Lundquist of Sanford, Fla., at 10-over 223 (80-71-72).
And in Super Legend, Sam Robinson of Jacksonville, Fla., won at 10-over 223 (78-74-71), 18 shots ahead of Bill Engel of St. Augustine, Fla., at 28-over 241 (77-85-79).
Results: Pirate’s Cup
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairhope, AL | 500 | 70-72-70=212 | |
| 2 | Lutz, FL | 300 | 74-72-68=214 | |
| 3 | Ovid, MI | 200 | 74-74-67=215 | |
| 4 | Greensboro, NC | 200 | 73-71-72=216 | |
| 5 | Cartersville, GA | 200 | 76-73-69=218 |
About the Pirate’s Cup
Golfweek is introducing a brand new Mid-Master division at the Pirates Classic at TPC Tampa in Lutz, FL! This 54-hole stroke play tournament features no cut and includes divisions for Mid-Masters (ages 40-54), Seniors (ages 55-64), Super Seniors (age...
Most Popular Articles

Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Michael McCoy Wins 2026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island
Feb 26, 20262026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island’s Seaside Course Final Results + Leaderboard
Top 10 Reasons to Compete at Sand Valley With Your Best Golf Partner in 2026
Feb 22, 2026Sand Valley makes ’26 the year for your best rivalry trip: five walkable links courses and big memories with your favorite partner