pga champions tour requirements

2024 PGA TOUR Champions Eligibility Ranking

Players within the top 54. from the previous year's final Official PGA TOUR Champions Money List, provided they are among the top 50 on such list..

• Steve Stricker
• Steven Alker
• Padraig Harrington
• Bernhard Langer
• Stephen Ames
• Jerry Kelly
• Miguel Angel Jiménez
• Brett Quigley
• Richard Green
• Vijay Singh
• Harrison Frazar
• Thongchai Jaidee
• Dicky Pride
• Rod Pampling
• Paul Broadhurst
• Paul Stankowski
• Darren Clarke
• Robert Karlsson
• Retief Goosen
• Justin Leonard
• Colin Montgomerie
• Mark Hensby
• Steve Flesch
• Ken Tanigawa
• Marco Dawson
• Billy Andrade
• Rob Labritz
• Paul Goydos
• Shane Bertsch
• Scott McCarron
• Kevin Sutherland
• Jeff Maggert
• Tim Petrovic
• Tim O'Neal
• Mario Tiziani
• Stewart Cink
• Scott Dunlap
• Scott Parel
• Stuart Appleby
• John Huston
• Rocco Mediate

Players with at least 5 PGA TOUR Points based on the system where a player gets 1 point for each PGA TOUR victory and 3 points for each PGA TOUR Major/Players Championship victory

• Jack Nicklaus
• Phil Mickelson
• Lee Trevino
• Gary Player
• Raymond Floyd
• Johnny Miller
• Davis Love III
• Greg Norman
• Lanny Wadkins
• Ben Crenshaw
• Fred Couples
• Curtis Strange
• Mark O'Meara
• Corey Pavin
• David Duval
• Larry Nelson
• Steve Elkington
• Mark Calcavecchia
• Craig Stadler
• Al Geiberger
• Kenny Perry
• Paul Azinger
• Dave Stockton
• Fuzzy Zoeller
• John Mahaffey
• Bruce Crampton
• Bobby Nichols
• Mark McCumber
• David Graham
• Frank Beard
• David Frost
• José María Olazábal
• Steve Jones
• Mark Brooks
• Scott Simpson
• Jeff Sluman
• Loren Roberts
• Jim Colbert
• Bob Charles
• Chi Chi Rodriguez
• Bruce Devlin
• Bill Rogers
• Tony Jacklin
• Joey Sindelar
• Ángel Cabrera
• Peter Jacobsen
• Bill Glasson
• Scott Verplank
• Billy Mayfair
• Jesper Parnevik
• Mark Wilson
• Dan Forsman
• D.A. Weibring
• Tom Purtzer
• Jim Gallagher, Jr.
• Blaine McCallister
• Charles Coody
• Danny Edwards
• Roger Maltbie
• Jerry Heard
• Johnny Pott

Players with at least 5 PGA TOUR Champions Points based on the system where a player gets 1 point for each PGA TOUR Champions victory and 2 points for each PGA TOUR Champions Major victory

• Allen Doyle
• Dana Quigley
• Doug Tewell
• Michael Allen
• Mark McNulty
• Kirk Triplett
• Graham Marsh
• Tom Jenkins
• Dave Eichelberger
• Tom Pernice Jr.
• Russ Cochran
• John Jacobs
• Gibby Gilbert
• Larry Mowry
• Brad Bryant
• Bobby Wadkins
• Denis Watson

The Top 10 available players from the current All-Time Money List.

• Robert Allenby
• Chad Campbell
• Woody Austin
• Chris DiMarco
• John Senden
• Duffy Waldorf
• Freddie Jacobson
• Steve Lowery
• Olin Browne
• Heath Slocum
• Boo Weekley
• Brandt Jobe
• Tommy Armour III
• Shigeki Maruyama
• Briny Baird
• Gene Sauers
• Brian Davis

A maximum of two members aged 50 until their 51st birthday who have won at least four PGA TOUR tournaments awarding official victory status.

No players exempt in this category

The top five players from the previous year's PGA TOUR Champions National Qualifying Tournament.

• Michael Wright
• Steve Allan
• David Bransdon

The players with the top 4 low scores from the Open Qualifying event for the selected tournament.

On invitation of the tournament, professional players.

On invitation of the tournament, selected players with a minimum of 1 PGA TOUR or PGA TOUR Champions official win and Veteran Member status..

Players with 70 or more All-Time Victories or those among the net top 70 on the All-Time Money List who have a minimum of 30 All-Time Victories including a minimum of one major championship (PGA TOUR or PGA TOUR Champions) and are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame..

Exempt Members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

• Ian Woosnam

A winner of a PGA TOUR Champions cosponsored or approved tournament in the past 12 months.

• Ricardo Gonzalez

Players who have been granted a Major Medical Extension.

• Doug Barron

Player finishing 10th place or better in the immediately preceding PGA TOUR Champions cosponsored event who is not otherwise exempt.

• Thomas Bjørn

Players within the top 54 on the Prior Year Charles Schwab Cup Points list in order of their rank on that list, followed by any players on the Prior Year Official Money List not already included in the exemption in order of their ranking

The Top 30 avaialble players from the current All-Time Money List.

A maximum of four members aged 50 until their 52nd birthday who have won at least two PGA TOUR tournaments awarding official victory status.

55 to 72 off the prior year Charles Schwab Cup Money list

• David McKenzie
• David Branshaw
• Wes Short, Jr.
• Arjun Atwal
• Michael Jonzon

Members who have won a PGA TOUR or PGA TOUR Champions official tournament.

• Morris Hatalsky
• Carlos Franco
• Leonard Thompson
• Keith Fergus
• Bob Eastwood
• Larry Ziegler
• Homero Blancas
• Cameron Beckman
• Jay Don Blake
• Esteban Toledo
• Andrew Magee
• Vicente Fernandez
• David Edwards
• Michael Bradley
• Gary Hallberg
• Tim Simpson
• Notah Begay III
• Phil Blackmar
• Butch Baird
• Deane Beman
• Jacky Cupit
• Bruce Summerhays
• Robert Gamez
• Ed Dougherty
• Willie Wood
• Hugh Baiocchi
• Kermit Zarley
• Howard Twitty
• Mike Hulbert
• Fulton Allem
• Walter Morgan
• Nolan Henke
• Tommy Aaron
• Walter Zembriski
• Bob Dickson
• Mike Sullivan
• Sammy Rachels
• Billy Ray Brown
• George Burns
• Jack Renner
• Billy Kratzert
• Rik Massengale
• Don Fairfield
• Dudley Hart
• Frank Lickliter II
• Jonathan Kaye
• Daniel Chopra
• Craig Parry
• Mike McCullough
• Brent Geiberger
• David Peoples
• Len Mattiace
• Todd Hamilton
• José Coceres
• Gary McCord
• Brian Henninger
• Donnie Hammond
• Ronnie Black
• John Schroeder
• Roger Chapman
• Mike Springer
• Keith Clearwater
• Wayne Grady
• Gabriel Hjertstedt
• Ian Baker-Finch
• Mac O'Grady
• Babe Hiskey
• Victor Regalado
• John Fought
• Ron Cerrudo
• Greg Chalmers
• Chris Riley
• Joe Ogilvie
• Peter Lonard
• Shaun Micheel
• Dean Wilson
• Brett Wetterich
• José Maria Cañizares
• Walter Hall
• Chris Perry
• Neal Lancaster
• Robert Damron
• Mike Goodes
• Chris Smith
• Grant Waite
• Joel Edwards
• Chris Couch
• Dennis Paulson
• Jerry Smith
• John Riegger
• Garrett Willis
• Brian Bateman
• Rod Spittle
• Brandel Chamblee
• Doug Garwood
• Jim McGovern
• Craig Perks
• Michael Campbell
• John Harris
• James Mason
• David Ogrin
• Spike McRoy
• Bobby Clampett
• Frank Nobilo
• Trevor Dodds
• Bruce Vaughan
• Larry Laoretti
• Rodger Davis
• Fred Gibson
• Mike Heinen
• Clarence Rose
• Michael Clark II
• Richard Zokol
• Mike Donald
• Mike Standly
• Bill Britton
• Steven Veriato
• Mark Johnson
• Paul Lawrie
• Rex Caldwell
• Tom Sieckmann
• Andre Stolz
• Barry Jaeckel
• Tom McGinnis
• Mark Carnevale
• Greg Twiggs
• Sam Randolph
• Peter Oosterhuis
• John Brodie
• Kohki Idoki
• Pete Oakley
• Stephen Dodd
• Mike Morley
• Mike Nicolette
• Allen Miller
• David Ishii
• Phillip Hancock
• Larry Hinson
• Terry Diehl
• Bob Shearer
• Jeff Mitchell
• Pat Lindsey
• Labron Harris
• Woody Blackburn
• Fred Wadsworth
• Don Iverson
• Steve Spray
• Pat Fitzsimons
• Marty Fleckman
• Randy Glover
• Richie Karl
• William Mitchell

Players who have made 150 career PGA TOUR cuts and/or 100 PGA TOUR Champions Top 48 finishes.

• George McNeill
• Skip Kendall
• Jay Williamson
• Peter Senior
• Craig Barlow
• Omar Uresti
• Jay Delsing
• Chien Soon Lu
• Frank Conner
• Robin Freeman
• Lennie Clements
• Dave Rummells
• Kelly Gibson
• Larry Rinker
• Dick Hendrickson
• Bobby Walzel
• Pat McGowan
• Bill Sander
• Harry Toscano
• Doug Dalziel
• Jim Nelford
• Wally Armstrong
• Greg Powers
• Richard Crawford
• Dwight Nevil

Last updated: Sep 27, 2023

How Do You Qualify For Champions Golf Tour?

The PGA Tour Champions is highly competitive and exclusive. In order to qualify, golfers must satisfy the following criteria:

• There are 78 total spots in the Tour
• Golfers must be 50 years or older
• Golfers must play in regional qualifier unless otherwise exempt
• Golfers must pay a $3,000 application fee

The PGA Tour Champions is a professional golf tour for senior golfers. Many of the greatest golfers of all time have played on this tour, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.  To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, one must either be a professional PGA Golfer or a highly skilled amateur golfer who receives an exemption.

Table of Contents

Champions tour eligibility.

Those looking to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions must be at least 50 years of age, or 49 and turning 50 before June 1st of that year. They also must apply online and pay a fee of $3,000. With the application, at least two letters of reference from a Class A PGA Pro or Champions Tour member are required. You are also required to show a copy of your birth certificate and results from two tournaments held in the last year. 

Amateurs who meet the age criteria can enter the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament. An amateur who finishes among the top 30 at this event must forfeit their status as an amateur to play in the PGA Tour Event Champions Qualifier. When you are in the top 12 of the qualifying stage, the top five will be fully exempt, and the next seven will be reserved and will be able to compete in Champions Tour events on a space-available basis.

Golfers can also earn a sponsorship exemption for a specific tournament, in which a sponsor of the golfer grants entry to the tournament. These exemptions are typically reserved for more popular golfers, as granting them entry will help the tournament’s overall brand.

How old do you need to be to qualify for the Champions Tour?

To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, you must be at least 50 years old.  You can also qualify for the Champions Tour if you are 49 turning 50 by June 1st of that year. The Champions Tour is reserved for senior golf players that have aged out of the PGA Tour. However, golfers over the age of 50 are still eligible to play in PGA Tour events.

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How Do You Qualify for the Senior (Champions) Tour?

The easiest way to qualify for the Champions Tour is a successful PGA tour career, but if that isn’t your path, you’ll need to survive qualifying school.

More about the Senior (Champions) Tour

The vast majority of exemptions to the Champions Tour are designed for professionals to move from the PGA tour to the Champions tour when they turn 50 years old.

Champions Tour qualifying school involves two stages 1) First Stage and 2) Final Stage. You must finish in the top 5 to get full status – top 30 gives you some conditional status on the Champions Tour.

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At What Age Can You Start Playing On The PGA Champions Tour?

What happens to our favorite professional golfers as they age? Some may think that professional golfers retire as they get older and can no longer compete at the highest level, but that is seldom the case.

Professional golf isn’t just for the young players. The PGA created a special tour for older players called the PGA Tour Champions, where our favorite golfers of the past still compete and show their skills.

In the article below, we will cover all you need to know about the age requirement and other qualifications needed to play on the Senior PGA Tour.

Plus, we will cover some key differences between the tours and touch on some players competing today. We have a lot to cover so let’s get started!

What Are The Age Requirements For The Senior PGA Tour?

To be eligible to tee it up on the Senior PGA Tour, a golfer needs to be 50 years or older. This age threshold is in place to provide seasoned golfers with an opportunity to continue their professional careers once they are no longer competitive on the PGA Tour.

The Senior PGA Tour, now known as the PGA Tour Champions, allows golf legends and experienced players to showcase their skills and compete against their peers on an age-appropriate playing field.

The Senior PGA Tour provides an exciting platform for golf enthusiasts to witness some of their favorite players from the past continue to excel in the sport. Plus, the senior tour allows new faces into the world of professional golf.

How Do You Qualify For The Senior PGA Tour?

Players need to meet certain criteria to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour. Here are the common ways to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour:

Age Requirement: As covered above, the first requirement for the Senior PGA Tour is reaching the age of 50 or older. Once a golfer turns 50, they become eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions.

Exemptions: Some players may receive exemptions based on their accomplishments during their regular PGA Tour careers. These exemptions can include major championship victories or a specific number of PGA Tour wins. Exemptions are typically granted to top performers on the regular tour.

Qualifying Tournaments: The PGA Tour Champions holds qualifying tournaments for golfers who have not earned exemptions. These tournaments provide an opportunity for senior golfers to compete for a limited number of spots in PGA Tour Champions events .

Career Earnings or Performance: Some players may qualify based on their career earnings or performance on the PGA Tour. For example, if a player has reached a certain earnings threshold or has won a specific number of tournaments during their PGA Tour career, they may gain entry to the Senior PGA Tour.

Q-School: Similar to the regular PGA Tour, there is a Q-School (Qualifying School) for the PGA Tour Champions. Golfers who successfully navigate this school and perform well in the final stage can earn their tour card.

Sponsor Invitations: Occasionally, sponsors of PGA Tour Champions events may offer invitations to golfers. This including amateurs or international players, who may not meet the standard criteria.

Who Is The Oldest Player To Win A Senior PGA Tour Event?

In 2021, Bernhard Langer made history by becoming the oldest to win on the Champions Tour at the age of 64. He repeated this feat at age 64 and went on to break his own record in 2022, winning as a 65-year-old.

In 2023, he extended his record by winning multiple times at the age of 65. Langer’s record now stands at 65 years, 10 months, and 5 days when he secured victory at the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.

With this latest achievement, Langer dominates the list of oldest senior tour winners, holding the top five spots.

Can Senior PGA Players Use A Cart?

Unlike the PGA Tour’s rule on golf carts , Senior PGA players are allowed to use carts during tournament rounds. This accommodation is made to help older golfers manage the physical demands of playing multiple rounds of golf at a high level, considering the age and potential mobility issues of some participants.

The use of carts in senior PGA tournaments contrasts with the regular PGA Tour. PGA players must walk the course and carry their own clubs or use caddies. The option for carts on the PGA Tour Champions aims to ensure that senior players can continue to perform at their best.

However, it’s important to note that not all senior golfers choose to use carts. Some players still prefer to walk the course. The use of carts is a personal choice. It allows senior players to tailor their playing experience to their specific needs and preferences.

When Can Tiger Woods Play In The Senior PGA Tour?

Given Tiger’s unmatched career on the PGA Tour, he would be an automatic qualifier to the PGA Champions Tour. The only criteria holding him back from playing would be his age.

Tiger Woods was born on December 30, 1975. Based on his birthdate, he would become eligible for the PGA Tour Champions on December 30, 2025.

Final Thoughts

The PGA Tour Champions welcomes golfers aged 50+, providing a platform for seasoned players to continue their professional careers.

It’s an opportunity for golf legends to shine while introducing new faces to the world of senior professional golf.

Players can qualify through age eligibility, exemptions based on their PGA Tour achievements, qualifying tournaments, career performance, participation in Q-School, or sponsor invitations, ensuring a diverse and competitive field.

Notably, Bernhard Langer set a remarkable record by becoming the oldest senior tour winner in 2021, 2022, and 2023, achieving victory at ages 64 and 65 and holding the top five spots on the list of oldest senior tour winners.

Additionally, senior PGA players have the option to use golf carts during tournaments, offering comfort and flexibility.

As for Tiger Woods, his eligibility to join the PGA Tour Champions awaits when he turns 50 on December 30, 2025, promising an exciting chapter in senior professional golf given his illustrious career.

Hopefully, you liked this article and found it informative. Check out our other  blog posts if you liked this one!

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Category - Major Events

How players can qualify for the pga championship.

A view of the Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

PGA Championship Eligibility Requirements

• All former winners of the PGA Championship
• Winners of the last five Masters (2019-'23)
• Winners of the last five U.S. Opens (2018-'22)
• Winners of the last five Open Championships (2017-'22) [Note: Canceled in 2020]
• Winners of the last three THE PLAYERS Championships (2021-'23)
• The top three on the OWGR’s International Federation Ranking List as of April 24, 2023
• Winner of 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
• The top 15 finishers and ties from the 2022 PGA Championship
• The top 20 finishers from the 2023 PGA Professional Championship
• The top 70 players who are eligible and have earned the most PGA Championship points from the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson through the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship (ending May 7, 2023)
• Playing members of the last named U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams (2021), provided they remain in the top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings as of May 7, 2023
• Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments whose victories are considered official, from the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge through the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson
• If necessary to complete the field, those players beyond the top 70 players who are eligible and who have earned the most PGA Championship points from the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson through the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship (ending May 7, 2023) in order of their position on such a list

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How does someone get into The Players Championship? There are 19 ways and none of them are easy

Want to tee it up in The Players Championship? 

Knock yourself out. Like any PGA Tour event, it’s open to anyone who shoots the low numbers. 

All one needs to do is turn professional and qualify for the Tour ... or play on other tours (PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry, DP World Tour) and use various avenues they have to punch a ticket to Ponte Vedra Beach. 

But actually doing it? Well, that takes tons of game and a little bit of luck. 

There are 19 avenues to The Players Championship and all of them require being a world-class player. There is no capturing lightning in a bottle in a 36-hole qualifier (such as the U.S. or British Open) or winning various amateur tournaments (U.S. and British Opens, and the Masters) or becoming a club pro and using those avenues to reach the PGA Championship. 

It also isn’t a lifetime achievement award. Winning the Masters means you’re there for most of the rest of your life. Winning a British Open or PGA is a golden ticket until you’re 65 years old. 

Winning a Players buys only five more years. 

Nick Dunlap will travel the shortest possible path to a Players Championship. He received a sponsor invitation for The American Express, then won the 72-hole tournament to earn PGA Tour membership, once he turned pro and left Alabama. 

Some players require years to earn their spot at the Stadium Course. 

Here are the requirements to enter The Players Championship. And there are no short-cuts: 

• Winners of PGA TOUR cosponsored or approved tournaments, whose victories are considered official, since the last Players Championship. 
• The top 125 players from the prior season’s FedEx Cup Fall and points list. 
• Winners of Masters Tournament from the years 2019-2023. 
• Winners of The Players Championship and The Open Championship from the years 2018-2023. 
• Winners of the U.S. Open and PGA Championship from the years 2018-2023. 
• Winner of the FedEx Cup from the 2018/19–2022/23 seasons. (This became a five-year exemption starting with the 2018/19 season.). 
• Winners of WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in the last three years (2021-2023). 
• Winner of the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. 
• Winners of the Genesis Invitational in the last three years (2022-2024). 
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the last three years (2022-2024). 
• Winners of the Memorial Tournament in the last three years (2021–2023). 
• Current Men’s Golf Olympic Gold Medalist. 
• The top 50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking through the Cognizant Classic (March 4). 
• The top 10 players from the 2024 FedEx Cup points list through the Cognizant Classic. 
• The winner of the previous year’s PGA Tour Champions Kaulig Companies Championship. 
• The leading player to earn a PGA Tour card from the prior season’s Race to Dubai Ranking. 
• The leading player from the prior season’s Official Korn Ferry Tour points list. 
• If necessary to complete a field of 144 players, PGA Tour members from the 2024 FedEx Cup points list below 10th position through the Cognizant Classic, in order of their position. 

Here are the 14 different ways to qualify for a PGA Championship exemption

Getting an invitation to the PGA Championship is quite an accomplishment. It means you've done something special in men's golf, garnering an opportunity to play in the only major championship limited to professional golfers.

While the PGA Championship is a major tournament, the PGA of America determines who gets invited at their sole discretion, there are 14 different ways a golfer can earn an invitation to the PGA Championship.

The best way to earn a PGA Championship invitation is to win the PGA Championship. PGA Championship Tournament winners are effectively invited back for life, and they're celebrated as part of the tournament's history.

The next best way to earn a PGA Championship invitation is to win one of the other three major championships. Winners of a major championship get invited to the other three majors for five years after winning, meaning a guaranteed 20 consecutive major starts after taking a major title. While not on the level of a major, The Players Championship is a huge tournament, and winners of the PGA Tour's crown jewel get a three-year exemption across the majors.

After those three ways, all the other paths to a PGA Championship invitation come with one-time invites that have to be earned back the next year. The qualification criteria range from winning or getting to the final of a prestigious amateur event, to winning on the PGA Tour, to reaching the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking by certain cutoff dates.

Then, the PGA Championship Tournament could always simply choose to invite who they would like, which they do from time to time.

If a player satisfies multiple criteria to earn a PGA Championship invitation, they don't get multiple years' worth of invitations, just an invite under the criteria with the greatest weight and longest counting period.

The 14 different ways to qualify for a PGA Championship invitation

• Former winners of The PGA Championship
• Winners of the U.S. Open in the last five years
• Winners of the British Open in the last five years
• Winners of the Masters in the last five years
• Winners of the Players Championship in the last three years
• The top three Official World Golf Ranking players among the International Federation Ranking as of April 24, 2023
• Winner of the last KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
• The top 15 finishers (including ties) from last year's PGA Championship tournament
• The top 20 finishers in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship
• The top 70 earners from the PGA Championship points list (PGA Tour money list) the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson through the 2023 Wells Farg Championship
• Playing members of the 2021 Ryder Cup teams
• Full PGA Tour event winners since 2022 PGA Championship
• PGA of America invitees (typically around the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking)
• Players beyond 70th in the PGA Championship points list to get to 156 players

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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What Are the Requirements for a PGA Tour Card? 6 Ways to Earn One

Here are 6 ways to earn a PGA Tour card

• DESCRIPTION Ben Martin becomes Tour Bound
• SOURCE James Gilbert / Contributor
• PERMISSION Getty Image license

In a lot of ways, getting a PGA Tour card is like winning the lottery. The path is simple, but the odds are against you. If you beat those odds, however, the payout is handsome.

To play as a member on the PGA Tour, you must have a PGA Tour card. Players earn their card by accomplishing one of several requirements. Here’s a breakdown of just how to earn a PGA Tour card, and six ways to snag one.

1. PGA Tour Q-School

PGA Tour Q-School used to be a direct path to the PGA Tour. Then Q-School stopped giving players PGA Tour cards, giving them status on the Korn Ferry Tour instead, where they could play for spots on the PGA Tour over the course of an entire season. But now, just like in years past, players can earn a PGA Tour card through Q-School and head straight to the PGA Tour. However, only the top five finishers from the final stage of Q-School earn PGA Tour cards and get to head directly to the PGA Tour.

Korn Ferry Tour: Strategies to Qualify and Challenges to Expect

2. Korn Ferry Tour Points

The most direct path to the PGA Tour is through the Korn Ferry Tour. While gaining Korn Ferry Tour status is no breeze in itself, once there, players have multiple avenues to earn their PGA Tour card.

There are 30 PGA Tour cards up for grabs through the Korn Ferry Tour each year. The top 30 players from the Korn Ferry Tour's season-long standings after the KFT Championship earn cards.

Getting into the Korn Ferry Tour is a process in itself, which can be accomplished through Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School , or via the Forme Tour , Mackenzie (Canadian) Tour, or the PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

3. Korn Ferry Tour Three-Win Promotion

Korn Ferry Tour players can jump directly to the PGA Tour through an exemption known as the Three-Win Promotion . This promotion is exactly what it sounds like, after three Korn Ferry Tour wins in one season, a player gains his PGA Tour card.

The three-win promotion has proven to be a tough route to the big tour, as only 12 players have accomplished the feat since 1997.

4. PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership

Players can bypass the Korn Ferry Tour and jump straight to the PGA Tour by gaining PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership, then parlaying that into a PGA Tour card.

The PGA Tour reserves a small number of spots each week for non-Tour members through sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifiers. Non-members who compete in PGA Tour events through these avenues and perform well enough can earn Special Temporary Membership by accumulating the amount of FedExCup points equal to the player who finished 150th on the FedExCup list the previous season.

Once a player has accepted Special Temporary Membership, they can accept unlimited sponsor exemptions into PGA Tour events and can earn their card by finishing in the top 125 of the FedExCup points list during the regular season.

Without Special Temporary Membership, non-members can only accept up to seven sponsor exemptions and compete in up to 12 PGA Tour events in a season.

Players on a Special Temporary Membership are not eligible for the FedExCup playoffs.

5. PGA Tour U Gets College Golfers to the PGA Tour

Through PGA Tour U , the PGA Tour has removed some hurdles for the top collegiate players who begin their transition into the professional ranks when their amateur careers end.

Top collegiate players in the final year of their college careers earn ranking points based on their performance in the NCAA Division I championship, PGA Tour events, major championships, and the Dubai Desert Classic. At the end of the season, five PGA Tour University first-team and second-team honorees are identified, along with 10 PGA Tour University third-team players. 

The top player earns PGA TOUR membership for the rest of the season, plus the followig season. The top five players earn Korm Ferry Tour membership for the rest of the season, a spot in the Final Stage of Q-School, and the opportunity to accept unlimited sponsor exemptions into PGA Tour events throug the following season.

Nos. 6-10 earn conditional Korn Ferry Tour status for the current season, an exemption into the North American portion of the PGA TOUR Americas schedule, and an exemption into Second Stage of Q-School.

The 10 third-team honorees get exemptions to the North America Swing of the PGA TOUR Americas and exemptions into the Second Stage of Q-School.

6. Win a PGA Tour Event or Major Championship

The fastest way to earn a PGA Tour card is also the least likely. Anybody who wins a PGA Tour event gets an immediate two-year PGA Tour exemption. This means that any non-member who gets into the field at a PGA Tour event via a sponsor exemption or Monday qualifier, and goes on to win that event, gets their PGA Tour card.

While yes, this path is extremely rare, it's exactly what Nick Dunlap did in 2024. He entered a PGA Tour event, the American Express, as an amateur, and despite the astronomica odds, won the tournament. Shortly after, Dunlap took advantage of his two-plus year PGA Tour exemption by turning pro.

Major champions get even more luxury, securing a five-year exemption to both the PGA Tour and European Tour. Three of the four major championships each year reserve spots for amateur players , meaning that theoretically an amateur could win the Masters, U.S. Open or Open Championship and secure their PGA Tour card for the next five years.

Benefits of a Tour Card

By having a PGA Tour card, a golfer can play in PGA Tour events. Many players also receive sponsor endorsements and advertising contracts. The PGA Tour card provides the player the opportunity to win large purses in tournaments . Players who make the cut in routine PGA Tour events generally cash at least a five-figure check, with that amount increasing with higher-stature events and major championships.

In 1965, the first PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (called Q-School) was held and John Schlee won the event. In 1968 and 1969 and from 1975 to 1981, there were two tournaments each year.

Until 2013, Q-School was used to grant membership to the PGA Tour. From 2013 to 2023, Q-School served as a gateway to the Korn Ferry Tour, with PGA Tour Cards handed out through the Korn Ferry Tour regular season and finals.

Misconceptions

Many people think that if a player holds a PGA Tour Card, he can play in any event on the PGA tour. However, new PGA tour players are eligible for tournaments but players commit to tournaments based on their priority ranking. Players with lower priority rankings can only play an event when it's not already full by the time they have a chance to commit.

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Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy to receive massive loyalty payouts from PGA Tour after equity investment, per report

The two most popular players on the pga tour will be made whole this week after turning down overtures from liv golf.

The loyalty shown by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other star golfers to the PGA Tour will be officially rewarded on Wednesday. Woods is set to receive $100 million in equity as part of the newly created for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises with McIlroy obtaining about half as much equity,  according to the Telegraph , 

The stakes being awarded to Woods, McIlroy and other PGA Tour stars are part of a make-good by the league to thank players for sticking by its side rather than leave for big-money contracts from LIV Golf (as backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund).

Earlier this year, PGA Tour Enterprises received an investment of up to $3 billion from Strategic Sports Group, a high-profile assortment of billionaire sports owners. While it is unclear how that investment will be spent, this equity distribution will be backstopped by those funds.

Payouts are being handed to players based on a variety of factors, including career success and cultural popularity. Several hundred players will receive stakes, though the majority of that equity -- up to $750 million -- will go to the top 36 players as determined by an undisclosed formula that takes into consideration the aforementioned factors, among others.

While the figures are gaudy, this is not simply a cash payout, as explained by the  Telegraph .

After four years, 50 percent of their equity will be vested, with another 25 percent two years later and the remaining amount two years after that. They will also have to fall in line with the rules, which as well as not decamping, involve meeting the minimum requirements for Tour membership and, if not, providing services such as sponsors meets and media appearances.

How this plays out going forward will be interesting. There will reportedly be $100 million in equity handed out annually, which will add up quickly. Even with the $3 billion backing, that's a lot of equity going to current and future players.

Regardless, the intent is clear: The PGA Tour is rewarding players for their loyalty. It is also attempting to align incentives within the organization. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said as much at The Players Championship earlier in this year. 

"Historically, our structure has limited our ability to make transformative investments into the sport," he said. "With PGA Tour Enterprises, with our 13-member board of directors now in place and the partnership with Strategic Sports Group, we've changed that dynamic and unleashed our potential for future growth.

"With our player equity program, which is the first in professional sports, our interests and those of our players will be more deeply aligned. Our business thrives when together we're all laser focused on delivering for our fans. If we fail on that front, we fail on every front."

Players will reportedly begin receiving emails with the amount of equity they have been awarded this week. The equity numbers will be based on the $12 billion valuation from earlier this year when the SSG received 25% of PGA Tour Enterprises for its up to $3 billion investment. 

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Billy Horschel wins PGA Tour event amid historic finish, but there’s a catch

Billy Horschel won the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, his first PGA Tour win since 2022.

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Share All sharing options for: Billy Horschel wins PGA Tour event amid historic finish, but there’s a catch

Eleven months ago, after the first round of the Memorial Tournament, Billy Horschel stood in front of the media and fought back tears as he talked about his lack of confidence.

He had just fired a 12-over 84, which served as a metaphor for his struggles throughout the 2023 season. Horschel missed 10 cuts a year ago, which led to him missing out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs .

As such, Horschel did not meet the qualification requirements to play in this week’s RBC Heritage —the fifth Signature Event of the 2024 season . But he still wanted to play, knowing that his game was trending in the right direction.

So, he teed it up at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, an opposite full-field event.

The decision paid off.

Horschel began the final round three strokes behind Wesley Bryan, but he stormed past him and all the others to win by two. The former Florida Gator signed for a 9-under 63, which tied the course record, to win for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 2022 Memorial.

“This game of golf is so fickle. I think you can put a lot into it and get everything you want out of it,” Horschel said after his win on Sunday.

“But I knew in my 14 years, 13 years previously on the PGA Tour, that I had the ability, I had the talent. I just needed to continue to work hard, do the right things, and continue to believe that good stuff was going to come to the forefront at some point in time.”

Even though his victory did not come against the likes of Scottie Scheffler , Wyndham Clark , Rory McIlroy, or any other elite PGA Tour players, Horschel still holds this win—and other opposite field events—in high regard.

“The PGA Tour has a lot of tournaments, and it’s tough for every tournament to get its due. Opposite-field events have been crucial for many players coming up the ranks,” Horschel explained.

“Look at Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland winning in Puerto Rico, Matt Wallace won this. So listen, it’s another opportunity to play, it’s another opportunity to become a better player, to get that win on the PGA Tour. These events are crucial to the PGA Tour in the sense of the growth of the development of the players on the PGA Tour.”

8-under thru 12 @BillyHo_Golf leads by two after an eagle @CoralesChamp . pic.twitter.com/qkAjIiaKmI — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024

Horschel’s victory in the Dominican Republic vaults him from 76th to 45th in the FedEx Cup rankings. The top 70 players earn entry into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, so yes, this win carries significant weight.

But Horschel would not have been able to finish the job without his strong psyche and ability to handle pressure down the stretch.

“I don’t like talking about myself but growing up, I always wanted the ball when I was a pitcher; I always wanted to be the guy at battle trying to drive in the winning run; I always wanted to have it on me,” Horschel explained.

“I think growing up and having that mentality, I have grown into Ioving being in the lead. I love having that spotlight on me; I love having everything on me, knowing that if I mess up, it’s my fault, and I am the one who can control my destiny. I’ve always been really good up near the lead, and today, I showed that a little bit.”

Horschel made five birdies on the front nine to soar toward the top of the leaderboard at the midway point of his round. True to himself, he did not fold down the stretch, but rather, he thrived. His eagle at the par-5 12th gave him a two-shot lead with six holes to play, and he never relinquished it.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.

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