Doug Piesko, Brandon Barrows and Jason Bustos have qualified for the 2026 GOLFZON China Open after finishing in the top three of the GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Individual Qualifying. The three golfers will represent the United States at the international indoor golf tournament, competing against top players from around the world.
The four-day tournament runs December 17–20 at the newly built CityGolf venue in Chengdu, China. The fifth annual GOLFZON China Open features a 20 million CNY prize purse, worth approximately $3 million USD, with 5 million CNY awarded to the winner.
Meet the U.S. Qualifiers for the GOLFZON China Open
Piesko, Barrows and Bustos earned their invitations through their performances in September’s GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Individual Qualifying.
- Doug Piesko: Finished first at 17 under par and earned $10,000.
- Brandon Barrows: Finished second at 16 under par and earned $5,000.
- Jason Bustos: Finished third at 15 under par and earned $2,500.
The top three finishers earned invitations to the GOLFZON China Open in addition to their individual prize money.
Piesko and Barrows previously competed as members of Tee Times from Detroit, Michigan, the winning team of GOLFZON Tour Season 2. Bustos sank the winning putt to secure Golf Envy’s Season 1 championship.
Now, the three players will reunite to represent the United States on the international stage.
It’s a life-changing opportunity to compete at the GOLFZON China Open. To be able to travel to China and compete in the new CityGolf venue and playing for a purse with millions of dollars is incredible. I look forward to competing against the best players in the world. It’s amazing that indoor golf competition gives you opportunity to play at such a high level.
How GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Works
The GOLFZON Tour is an international indoor golf competition in which players compete on GOLFZON simulators at participating facilities. The competition combines individual performance, team competition and real-time matches through GOLFZON Network Play.
In September, golfers competed in the GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Individual Qualifying, with results used to select the top four players at each participating facility for its team in the next stage. Separately, the top three finishers in the overall individual standings earned invitations to the GOLFZON China Open; those invitations were not based on facility team selection.
GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Tournament Schedule
- Teams compete across three courses, with cumulative scores determining the rankings. The 58 highest-ranked teams advance to the 64-team bracket, joined by six sponsor exemptions.
- The 64 qualifying teams compete in bracket matches through real-time GOLFZON Network Play, connecting players at participating facilities. Teams advance through the bracket toward the Season 3 championship.
- The GOLFZON Tour Season 3 final is scheduled for the PGA Show in January 2027. Check official GOLFZON Tour updates for the confirmed date and event details.
The cash awards listed above were for Individual Qualifying; they are separate from team results and invitations to the GOLFZON China Open. In Season 3 Team Qualifying, teams play three courses, and cumulative scores determine the rankings. The 58 highest-ranked teams advance to the 64-team bracket, alongside six sponsor exemptions. No Team Qualifying prize amounts are specified here; the six exemptions are places in bracket play, not China Open invitations.
Eligibility for GOLFZON Tour Season 3 depends on the official tournament rules; participation at a facility alone does not confirm that a player qualifies. Golfers should check the rules and participating-facility list for current eligibility and registration requirements.
CityGolf Chengdu Brings a New Indoor Golf Experience
The 2026 GOLFZON China Open marks the first time Piesko, Barrows and Bustos will compete at a CityGolf venue.
CityGolf combines golf simulator technology with a physical short-game area, creating an indoor golf experience that incorporates both virtual course play and real shots around the green.
When players reach the green, the projector screen rolls up to reveal an artificial playing surface where they can chip, putt and hit shots from a bunker. After completing each hole, players move to the next setup to continue their round.
With 18 different simulators and greens representing 18 different holes, CityGolf brings the experience of playing a full round of golf indoors to a new level.
The first CityGolf venue in the United States is expected to open in Nashville later in 2026.
GOLFZON China Open Expands Into a Global Competition
The 2026 GOLFZON China Open marks a major expansion for the tournament, opening the field to players from the Americas and Europe for the first time and establishing a broader international competition platform.
The tournament’s 20 million CNY prize purse has doubled from the 2025 event and quadrupled from the 2024 tournament. Former professional golfers, including Na Yeon Choi, Yani Tseng and Chella Choi, are also slated to compete in December.
For Piesko, qualifying for the event is an opportunity to compete internationally once again.
When I was competing in the GOLFZON Tour Individual Qualifying, my goal was to qualify for the GOLFZON China Open. I got to experience playing against GTOUR players in Korea thanks to winning the GOLFZON Tour Season 2 and I look forward to seeing them again in China. It’ll be a lot of fun and huge thank you to GOLFZON for providing this opportunity. I want to represent the US region well.
Bustos shares that excitement, highlighting the opportunities that indoor golf competition can create for players.
I couldn’t believe the purse when I first heard about the GOLFZON China Open. I never would have thought you could compete for such a big purse on playing indoor golf, let alone be able to travel to China. GOLFZON’s been incredible and a frontrunner in indoor golf competition and I look forward to representing Golf Envy and the US in China. This is a dream come true.
Frequently Asked Questions About the GOLFZON China Open
Q: What is the GOLFZON China Open?
A: The GOLFZON China Open is an international indoor golf tournament held at a CityGolf venue in Chengdu, China. The 2026 event features players from the Americas, Europe and other regions competing for a 20 million CNY prize purse.
Q: When is the 2026 GOLFZON China Open?
A: The 2026 GOLFZON China Open takes place December 17–20, 2026, as a four-day tournament in Chengdu, China.
Q: Who qualified for the 2026 GOLFZON China Open from the United States?
A: Doug Piesko, Brandon Barrows and Jason Bustos qualified after finishing in the top three of the GOLFZON Tour Season 3 Individual Qualifying. They finished at 17 under, 16 under and 15 under par, respectively.
Q: What is the prize money for the GOLFZON China Open?
A: The 2026 GOLFZON China Open features a total prize purse of 20 million CNY, approximately $3 million USD. The winner will receive 5 million CNY.
Q: How does GOLFZON Tour Season 3 work?
A: GOLFZON Tour Season 3 is an international indoor golf competition played on GOLFZON simulators at participating facilities. Players compete in Individual Qualifying before advancing through team competition and bracket play. Matches connect players at different facilities through GOLFZON Network Play.
Q: What is CityGolf?
A: CityGolf combines golf simulator technology with physical short-game areas. Players can transition from simulator play to an artificial green area to chip, putt and hit shots from a bunker, creating an indoor golf experience that incorporates a full range of shots.
Q: How can golfers participate in GOLFZON Tour Season 3?
A: Golfers should review the official GOLFZON Tour Season 3 rules and participating-facility list for eligibility, registration instructions and qualifying details. The official rules provide the most accurate information about participation requirements and qualifying attempts.
