Willie Mack III secured his 18th victory on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour, defeating rookie Willy Pumarol by one stroke at the Cisco Black History Month Classic. The event, held at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course, marked the second tournament of the 2026 APGA season. Mack III's steady performance extended his record as the tour's active wins leader.
The Cisco Black History Month Classic unfolded over two days at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Willie Mack III, a native of Flint, Michigan, and resident of Orlando, opened with a 1-under-par 69 on Thursday. He followed with a 2-under 68 on Friday, finishing at 3-under par 137 to claim the $8,000 winner's share from a $25,000 purse and 500 points toward the Cisco Cup Series and Jeff Dailey Player of the Year standings.
Rookie Willy Pumarol, a Dominican Republic citizen and Barry University alumnus, led much of the back nine in his APGA debut. He carded twin 1-under 69s for 2-under 138, but Mack III pulled ahead with birdies on the par-5 16th and par-4 17th holes. Pumarol, who has competed in PGA Tour events like the Corales Puntacana Championship and recent PGA Tour Americas seasons, finished one stroke back.
Marcus Byrd, the reigning APGA Jeff Dailey Player of the Year, started strong with a 4-under 66 but faltered in the final round with a 77, ending tied for fourth at 3-over 143. Only Mack III and Pumarol finished under par in the 54-player field, highlighting the course's difficulty.
Mack III, who won three times in 2025 and finished second in the season-opening APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational, reflected on his history at the venue. “I won the (APGA) Billy Horschel (Invitational) twice at this course, back-to-back. I came in second here (in 2024) on the Dye Course, and coming out with a victory this year, in the first (full-field) tournament of the year, is always a good start to the season,” he said. He added about his 17th-hole birdie: “I’ve played here numerous times and I’ve almost never hit that fairway... It was a good birdie. I knew I had to make par or birdie on the last hole to try to get the win.”
Troy Taylor II placed third at 1-over 141, while defending champion Chase Johnson finished tied for 14th at 6-over 146 after a poor opening round. The APGA, founded in 2010 to promote inclusive golf, continues its 2026 season with 12 events through November.
