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How to Qualify for the Senior PGA Tour

The Senior PGA Tour is now called the Champions Tour.

Many of the greatest players of all time, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, have played this tour for golfers 50 and older. To play in such company, you have to survive a tough qualifying process.

Champions Tour Qualifying

Go to the Champions Tour website to download the qualifying application (see references). Along with your application, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate, results from two tournaments held within the last year, and two letters of reference from a Class A PGA pro or a Champions Tour member.

Play in the Regional Qualifying Stage. Unless you are an exempt player, you must compete in the 72-hole qualifying tournament. The number of successful qualifiers is announced during the Regional Qualifying Stage.

Successful qualifiers and exempt players then compete in the Final Qualifying Stage.

The field size in the Final Qualifying Stage is 78 players. All 78 players play 72 holes.

Finish in the top 12 players at the Final Qualifying Stage.

The top five players will receive full exemption status, and the next seven will be conditionally exempt. Conditionally exempt players are accepted in tournaments on a space-available basis.

This article was written by the CareerTrend team, copy edited and fact checked through a multi-point auditing system, in efforts to ensure our readers only receive the best information. To submit your questions or ideas, or to simply learn more about CareerTrend, contact us [here](http://careertrend.com/about-us).

Last updated: Sep 27, 2023

How Do You Qualify For Champions Golf Tour?

how to 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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Golf Expert Blog

How To Become A Senior PGA Golfer: The Ultimate Guide

Are you a passionate golfer looking to take your game to the next level? Have you ever wondered what it takes to join the Senior PGA Tour? Look no further than this ultimate guide on how to become a Senior PGA golfer .

Joining the Senior PGA Tour requires dedication, skill, and a strong competitive spirit. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the requirements you need to meet to become eligible to join the tour, as well as the tips and strategies you can use to improve your game and achieve success as a Senior PGA golfer.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to compete at the highest level or an amateur golfer looking to take your game to the next level, this guide has everything you need to know to become a Senior PGA golfer. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to become a Senior PGA golfer and take your game to the next level.

Requirements to Join the Senior PGA Tour

Getting into the Senior PGA Tour can be a challenging but rewarding experience. To be eligible to join, you must meet certain criteria. The first requirement is age, which is 50 years old or older. You must also have a valid USGA Handicap Index of 8.0 or less or have played on one of the six major international tours recognized by the PGA Tour within the past 15 years.

Another requirement is to pass the PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT) , which measures your golfing proficiency in different areas of the game. You’ll need to have a strong golf game and be in excellent physical condition, as the Senior PGA Tour is a highly competitive environment.

Once you meet these requirements, you’ll need to submit your application to the PGA Tour Qualifying School and play well enough to earn your card. This can be a challenging process, but with hard work and dedication, you can achieve your dream of playing on the Senior PGA Tour.

Age and Playing Experience Criteria

Age Requirements: The Senior PGA Tour is for golfers who have reached the age of 50 or older. However, players may become eligible for certain events on the tour starting at age 48.

Playing Experience: To become a senior PGA golfer, players must have experience playing at a professional level. Players must have played in at least 15 events on a recognized professional tour, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, or the Korn Ferry Tour.

Performance Criteria: In addition to age and playing experience, players must meet certain performance criteria to be eligible for the Senior PGA Tour. For example, players must have won a professional event or finished in the top 20 in a major championship.

Q-School: For those who do not meet the performance criteria, there is the option of going through Qualifying School (Q-School) to earn their Senior PGA Tour card. The Q-School consists of three stages of qualifying events, with only a limited number of players earning their card at the end.

It’s important to note that meeting the age and playing experience criteria alone does not guarantee a player a spot on the Senior PGA Tour. Performance and skill are key factors in earning a spot on the tour and competing at a high level.

Qualifying Tournaments and Exemption Categories

To join the Senior PGA Tour, golfers need to first qualify through a series of tournaments or earn an exemption based on their previous playing experience. There are several exemption categories, including lifetime money list, major championship victories, and more. These exemption categories allow golfers to bypass the qualifying tournaments and secure their spot in the Senior PGA Tour.

If a golfer does not qualify through an exemption category, they can try to earn their spot through the qualifying tournaments. These tournaments are open to any professional golfer who meets the age and playing experience criteria, and they provide an opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the tour.

The qualifying tournaments consist of four stages, with the top finishers in each stage advancing to the next. The final stage is the Champions Tour National Finals, where golfers compete for the final spots on the tour. Golfers who do not advance through the qualifying tournaments can still attempt to earn a spot through sponsor exemptions or Monday qualifiers.

Professional Conduct and Reputation Standards

Joining the Senior PGA Tour is not only about playing golf at a high level. It also requires a certain level of professional conduct and a positive reputation both on and off the course. As a Senior PGA Tour player, you will be representing the organization, and it is important to maintain a certain level of professionalism and integrity.

Some of the factors that are considered when evaluating a player’s professional conduct and reputation include sportsmanship, attitude towards fans, media, and sponsors, adherence to the rules of golf, and compliance with the Senior PGA Tour’s code of conduct.

Players who demonstrate unsportsmanlike conduct, engage in cheating or gambling, or have a history of criminal activity or drug use may be disqualified from participating in Senior PGA Tour events. It is essential to understand the importance of upholding professional standards and maintaining a positive reputation both on and off the golf course.

Tips to Improve Your Golf Game and Achieve Senior PGA Status

Practice Consistently: To improve your golf game and reach Senior PGA status, it is important to practice consistently. This means dedicating time each week to hitting the range, working on your swing, and practicing your short game. The more you practice, the more confident you will become on the course.

Work on Your Fitness: Golf is a physically demanding sport, so it’s important to keep your body in good shape. Focus on building strength and flexibility through exercises like weightlifting and yoga. A fit body will help you maintain a consistent swing and reduce the risk of injury.

Get Professional Coaching: Even the best golfers in the world have coaches to help them improve their game. Working with a professional coach can help you identify and correct flaws in your swing, improve your technique, and develop a game plan for achieving Senior PGA status.

Focus on Consistency and Accuracy Over Power

Work on your short game: Consistent putting and chipping are essential to a good golf game. Spend time practicing your short game to improve your accuracy and lower your scores.

Develop a pre-shot routine: Establishing a consistent pre-shot routine can help you maintain focus and control your nerves on the course. Experiment with different routines and find one that works for you.

Emphasize accuracy over power: While it may be tempting to try to hit the ball as far as possible, focusing on accuracy and consistency can yield better results in the long run. Work on developing a repeatable swing that allows you to hit the ball straight and on target.

Finding the Right Coach to Help You Reach Your Goals

Working with a coach can help you improve your golf game and achieve your goal of becoming a Senior PGA golfer. Choosing the right coach is crucial to your success. Look for a coach who has experience working with golfers at your level, and who has a teaching style that meshes well with your learning style.

It’s important to find a coach who can help you work on your mental game as well as your physical skills. This may include techniques for staying focused, managing pressure, and dealing with the ups and downs of competitive golf.

Consider working with a coach who has experience with the specific challenges of Senior PGA golf, such as adjusting to new courses, playing against older competitors, and dealing with physical limitations. Communication is key, so make sure your coach is willing to listen to your goals and concerns, and provide feedback that is tailored to your needs.

Credentials and Experience to Look for in a Coach

Certifications: Look for a coach who holds relevant certifications in coaching or a related field. This shows that the coach has received specialized training and has a deep understanding of the coaching process. Some of the top coaching certifications include the International Coach Federation (ICF) credential, the Certified Professional Coach (CPC) credential, and the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential.

Experience: The more experience a coach has, the better equipped they are to handle different coaching scenarios. Ask the coach about their years of experience, and whether they have worked with clients who have similar goals or challenges to yours. Experienced coaches can often provide valuable insights and guidance based on their years of practice.

Specializations: Some coaches specialize in specific areas, such as leadership coaching, career coaching, or health coaching. If you have a specific goal in mind, look for a coach who has experience in that area. For example, if you are looking to improve your leadership skills, seek out a coach who specializes in leadership development.

When looking for a coach, it’s important to find someone who has the right credentials and experience to help you achieve your goals. A coach can provide valuable support and guidance as you work to overcome challenges and make progress towards your objectives. By considering certifications, experience, and specializations, you can find a coach who is best equipped to help you succeed.

Communication Style and Personal Connection with Your Coach

Effective communication is key to a successful coaching relationship. When looking for a coach, it’s essential to find someone with a communication style that works for you. A good coach should be able to actively listen to you and understand your unique situation. They should also be able to communicate their ideas and feedback in a way that resonates with you. The tone and language they use should make you feel heard, understood, and motivated.

Another important factor in a coaching relationship is the personal connection you have with your coach. It’s vital to find someone you feel comfortable opening up to, as coaching often involves discussing personal challenges and vulnerabilities. When considering potential coaches, think about whether you feel a connection with them. Do you feel like they understand you and your goals? Do you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with them? The trust and rapport you build with your coach will be essential to your success.

  • Active Listening: Look for a coach who takes the time to listen to you and truly understand your needs and goals.
  • Effective Communication: A good coach should be able to communicate their ideas and feedback in a way that motivates and inspires you.
  • Personal Connection: The trust and rapport you build with your coach is crucial to your success. Choose someone you feel comfortable opening up to and who understands your unique situation.
  • Flexibility: Your coach should be adaptable and willing to adjust their communication style to fit your needs and preferences.

Ultimately, finding a coach with a communication style that works for you and with whom you feel a personal connection is essential to achieving your goals. Don’t be afraid to shop around and speak with multiple coaches before making a decision. Remember, this is your journey, and it’s important to find the right coach to support you every step of the way.

Importance of Customized Coaching Programs

When it comes to coaching programs , there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Customization is key to creating a program that works for you, and there are several reasons why this is important. Firstly, everyone has unique goals and needs. A tailored coaching program can help you identify your goals and create a plan to achieve them, taking into account your personal circumstances and challenges.

Another reason customized coaching programs are important is that they take into account your learning style . Everyone has a different way of learning and processing information, and a program that is tailored to your learning style can help you absorb and retain information more effectively. For example, if you’re a visual learner, a program that includes diagrams, charts, and other visual aids may be more effective for you than one that relies solely on written material.

Customized coaching programs can also help you overcome your weaknesses and challenges. A good coach will identify your areas of weakness and work with you to develop strategies to overcome them. By tailoring the program to your specific needs, you can focus on the areas where you need the most help and see faster progress.

  • Customization is key to creating a program that works for you
  • Everyone has unique goals and needs that require personalized attention
  • Customized programs take into account your learning style and help you overcome weaknesses
  • Working with a coach to tailor your program can help you see faster progress

In conclusion, the importance of customized coaching programs cannot be overstated. By tailoring the program to your unique goals, needs, and learning style, you can maximize your chances of success and achieve your full potential. If you’re considering working with a coach, be sure to look for one who offers customized programs that are designed to meet your specific needs.

Nutrition and Fitness Strategies for Senior Golfers

Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed well into the senior years of life. However, as we age, it’s important to adjust our nutrition and fitness strategies to ensure we can continue to play the game we love. Here are some tips for senior golfers to stay healthy and fit:

Stay hydrated: As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating water levels. Dehydration can lead to decreased cognitive function and increased risk of falls. To stay hydrated, senior golfers should aim to drink plenty of water before, during, and after their game.

Focus on flexibility: Flexibility is key to maintaining mobility and preventing injury. Senior golfers should incorporate regular stretching into their fitness routine to improve flexibility and range of motion. This can include yoga, Pilates, or simple stretching exercises before and after golfing.

Strength training: Resistance training can help senior golfers maintain muscle mass and bone density. This can be done using free weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges. Strong muscles can also improve swing mechanics and overall golf performance.

Balanced nutrition: A balanced diet is essential for optimal health and energy levels. Senior golfers should aim to consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. They should also limit their intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol. This can help them maintain a healthy weight and provide the energy needed to play their best game.

By following these nutrition and fitness strategies, senior golfers can stay healthy and continue to enjoy the sport well into their golden years. Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new fitness or nutrition program.

Balanced Diet and Hydration for Optimal Performance

As a senior golfer, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated to optimize your performance on the course. A balanced diet should include a variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

In addition to a balanced diet, staying hydrated is essential for optimal performance. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, decreased focus, and impaired cognitive function, which can negatively impact your game. Therefore, it’s important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your round of golf. You can also incorporate hydrating foods into your diet, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges.

It’s also important to avoid sugary drinks and excessive caffeine, as they can dehydrate you and cause a crash later on. Instead, opt for water, unsweetened tea, or low-sugar sports drinks to stay hydrated and energized throughout your round.

By maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated, senior golfers can optimize their performance on the course and enjoy the game to the fullest.

Mental Preparation and Focus Techniques for Success on the Course

Visualization: One of the most effective techniques for mental preparation is visualization. By picturing yourself performing well and achieving your goals, you can increase your confidence and focus. Take time before each round to visualize yourself making successful shots and putts.

Mindfulness: Another technique that can help you maintain focus on the course is mindfulness. This involves staying present in the moment and not getting caught up in past mistakes or future worries. By focusing on your breath and the sensations in your body, you can tune out distractions and stay in the zone.

Positive Self-Talk: Finally, positive self-talk is a powerful tool for maintaining a strong mental game. Rather than dwelling on negative thoughts or self-criticism, focus on positive affirmations that will boost your confidence and motivation. Repeat phrases like “I can do this” or “I am a great golfer” to yourself throughout the round.

Visualization and Positive Self-Talk

Visualization is a powerful technique that can help senior golfers enhance their mental preparation and performance on the course. By imagining themselves executing successful shots, senior golfers can train their brains to believe that success is possible, which can boost their confidence and focus during a round. Visualization can also help senior golfers stay calm and focused under pressure, allowing them to perform at their best.

Positive self-talk is another technique that senior golfers can use to improve their mental game. By focusing on positive thoughts and phrases, senior golfers can boost their confidence and stay motivated, even when things aren’t going well on the course. Senior golfers can also use positive self-talk to help them stay calm and focused, which can be especially helpful when facing difficult shots or challenging course conditions.

When using visualization and positive self-talk, it’s important for senior golfers to practice regularly and incorporate these techniques into their pre-round routine. By making visualization and positive self-talk a habit, senior golfers can improve their mental game and increase their chances of success on the course.

Breathing Exercises and Mindfulness Techniques

Breathing exercises can help golfers to reduce stress and anxiety on the course, while improving focus and energy levels. One effective technique is to take a slow, deep breath in through the nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through the mouth. This can be repeated several times before or during play.

Mindfulness techniques involve paying attention to the present moment and letting go of distractions and negative thoughts. This can be done by focusing on the sensation of the club in your hands, the sound of the ball as it is hit, or the feeling of your feet on the ground. Practicing mindfulness regularly can help golfers to stay calm and centered on the course.

Combining breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques can be a powerful way to improve mental clarity and performance on the golf course. Golfers who practice these techniques regularly may find that they are better able to focus on their shots, reduce stress and anxiety, and achieve a more relaxed and enjoyable golf experience.

Pre-Shot Routines and Mental Game Planning

Consistency is key when it comes to pre-shot routines. A routine helps golfers focus on the task at hand and prepare for their shot mentally and physically. It can also help eliminate distractions and nervousness, leading to better shots. A pre-shot routine can be as simple or complex as a golfer wants, but it should be consistent throughout the round.

Mental game planning involves developing a strategy for each hole and shot. This can help golfers make more confident decisions and reduce the impact of bad shots. It’s important to consider factors such as wind, course conditions, and personal strengths and weaknesses. Mental game planning can also involve visualizing successful shots and managing emotions on the course.

Finding the right routine and plan may take some trial and error. Golfers should experiment with different pre-shot routines and mental game plans to see what works best for them. A coach or mental game specialist can also provide guidance and feedback. It’s important to remember that pre-shot routines and mental game planning are unique to each golfer and should be tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

Navigating the Senior PGA Tournament Schedule and Registration Process

Tournament Schedule: The Senior PGA Tournament schedule can be found on the PGA Tour website. The schedule includes details of upcoming events, such as dates, locations, and entry deadlines.

Eligibility Requirements: To participate in Senior PGA Tournaments, players must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements can include age, amateur or professional status, and handicap indexes. It’s important to review eligibility requirements before registering for an event.

Registration Process: The registration process for Senior PGA Tournaments can vary depending on the event. Some tournaments require players to submit an application, while others require players to register online. It’s important to review the registration requirements for each event well in advance of the entry deadline.

Entry Fees: Each Senior PGA Tournament has an entry fee, which can vary depending on the event. It’s important to review the entry fee for each tournament and to factor it into your budget for the season.

Exemptions: Some players may be eligible for exemptions that allow them to bypass the registration process for certain Senior PGA Tournaments. Exemptions can be granted based on past performance, career accomplishments, or other factors. It’s important to review exemption criteria well in advance of the entry deadline.

Understanding the Format and Requirements for Different Tournaments

Senior PGA Tournaments come in various formats, including stroke play, match play, and team events. It’s essential to understand the requirements for each format before registering for the tournament. Stroke play requires a player to play the entire round, while match play involves head-to-head competition between players. Team events, on the other hand, require two or more players to compete as a team.

It’s also crucial to understand the requirements for each tournament, such as handicap limits, age requirements, and registration deadlines. Some tournaments may require a certain level of qualification or an invitation to participate, while others may be open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria.

Knowing the course conditions, such as the weather and terrain, can also help players prepare for the tournament. Some courses may require specific equipment or strategies, and understanding these requirements beforehand can give players an advantage during the tournament.

Registering for Tournaments and Securing Travel Accommodations

Plan ahead . Senior PGA tournaments can fill up quickly, so it’s important to register as soon as possible. The tournament schedule is usually released in advance, giving you time to plan which events you want to participate in.

Know the registration requirements . Each tournament has its own set of registration requirements. Some may require a handicap or previous tournament experience, so be sure to read the guidelines carefully.

Research travel options . Once you’ve registered for a tournament, it’s time to start planning your travel. Look for hotels and transportation options that are convenient to the tournament location, and book as early as possible to avoid sellouts and price increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to become a professional senior golfer.

To become a professional senior golfer, one must first qualify through a tour’s qualifying school or gain entry through past performance on a tour. Players must also maintain a certain level of play and earn enough money to retain their tour card.

What are some tips for staying physically fit as a senior golfer?

Staying physically fit is essential for senior golfers. Some tips include doing regular stretching and strengthening exercises, incorporating cardiovascular activities like walking or biking into your routine, and staying hydrated.

How can mental preparation impact a senior golfer’s game?

Mental preparation can greatly impact a senior golfer’s game. Techniques like visualization, positive self-talk, and breathing exercises can help players stay focused and calm under pressure, leading to better performance on the course.

What are some strategies for navigating the senior PGA tournament schedule?

Some strategies for navigating the senior PGA tournament schedule include planning ahead and being aware of registration deadlines, choosing tournaments that fit your schedule and strengths as a player, and staying up-to-date on changes and updates to the schedule.

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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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How To Qualify For Senior Pga Tour?

Golf is a sport that has been enjoyed by many for centuries. It requires skill, patience, and perseverance. As golfers age, they may find themselves wondering how they can continue to compete at a high level. For those over the age of 50, the Senior PGA Tour provides an opportunity to do just that. But how does one qualify for this prestigious tour?

Qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour requires a combination of skill, experience, and dedication. To be eligible, players must have turned 50 years old by the first round of the tournament in which they wish to compete. They must also have a valid handicap index of 8.0 or less, or have won a PGA Tour event or major championship in the past. Additionally, players must have completed a certain number of rounds on a professional tour within the past year to maintain their eligibility. With these requirements in mind, let’s explore the steps one can take to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour.

To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, golfers must be at least 50 years old and have a handicap index of 8 or less. Golfers who have won a major championship on the regular PGA Tour or have won a PGA Tour event within the past five years are automatically eligible. Others can qualify by finishing in the top 30 of the Champions Tour qualifying tournament or by finishing in the top 10 of a PGA Tour event. Additionally, golfers can earn exemptions based on career money earnings or by finishing in the top 70 of the previous year’s Champions Tour money list.

How to Qualify for Senior PGA Tour?

If you are a professional golfer over the age of 50 and looking to play on the Senior PGA Tour, there are certain requirements and steps you need to follow. In this article, we will guide you through the process of qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour.

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour, you must meet certain criteria. Firstly, you must be at least 50 years old by the first tournament of the season. Secondly, you must have a professional golfing background, which means you must have played on a recognized professional tour or have won a major championship.

Additionally, you must have a minimum of five professional tournament wins or have earned at least $500,000 in prize money during your career on the regular PGA Tour or any other recognized professional tour.

Step 2: Enter Qualifying School

Once you have met the eligibility criteria, the next step is to enter Qualifying School. The Senior PGA Tour holds two Qualifying Schools each year, one in the United States and one in Europe.

The Qualifying School is a four-round event where players compete for a limited number of spots on the Senior PGA Tour. The top players from each Qualifying School earn their tour card for the upcoming season.

Step 3: Successfully Complete the Qualifying School

To earn your tour card for the Senior PGA Tour, you must successfully complete the Qualifying School. This means finishing in the top spots depending on the number of available spots.

It is important to note that the Qualifying School is a highly competitive event, and only a limited number of players make it to the tour.

Step 4: Play in Tournaments

Once you have earned your tour card, you are eligible to play in Senior PGA Tour tournaments. The tour offers a full schedule of events throughout the season, which runs from January to November.

As a player on the Senior PGA Tour, you will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best senior golfers in the world, including former PGA Tour stars and major championship winners.

Step 5: Maintain Your Tour Card

To maintain your tour card on the Senior PGA Tour, you must finish in the top 70 on the money list each year. If you do not finish in the top 70, you may have to go back to Qualifying School to earn your tour card again.

It is important to note that playing on the Senior PGA Tour requires a high level of commitment, as the tour schedule can be demanding and physically challenging.

Benefits of Playing on the Senior PGA Tour

Playing on the Senior PGA Tour offers numerous benefits for professional golfers over the age of 50. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to compete against other senior golfers at a high level and showcase your skills.

Secondly, it offers a chance to travel to different parts of the world and experience different cultures while playing golf. Additionally, playing on the Senior PGA Tour can be financially rewarding, with significant prize money available for top performers.

Senior PGA Tour vs. Regular PGA Tour

While both the Senior PGA Tour and the regular PGA Tour are professional golf tours, there are some significant differences between the two.

The Senior PGA Tour is exclusively for golfers over the age of 50, while the regular PGA Tour is open to all professional golfers. Additionally, the Senior PGA Tour schedule is less demanding than the regular PGA Tour, with fewer tournaments throughout the year.

However, the Senior PGA Tour offers its own unique challenges, and playing against other senior golfers requires a different set of skills and strategies.

Qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour requires meeting certain eligibility criteria, entering Qualifying School, successfully completing the school, and finishing in the top 70 on the money list each year to maintain your tour card.

Playing on the Senior PGA Tour offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to compete against other senior golfers at a high level, travel to different parts of the world, and earn significant prize money.

While the Senior PGA Tour and the regular PGA Tour have their differences, both are highly competitive professional golf tours that require a high level of skill and commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements to qualify for the senior pga tour.

To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, a golfer must have turned 50 years of age by the first day of the tournament. However, just being 50 years of age does not automatically qualify a golfer for the tour. The golfer must have achieved certain levels of success in professional golf, such as winning a major championship or earning a certain amount of money on the regular PGA Tour.

Additionally, the golfer must be a member in good standing of the PGA Tour or have successfully completed the Champions Tour qualifying tournament. This tournament is held annually and is open to any golfer who meets the age and success requirements.

How can I earn exemptions to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour?

There are several ways to earn exemptions to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour. One way is to win one of the major championships on the regular PGA Tour, such as the Masters or the U.S. Open. Another way is to finish in the top 30 on the regular PGA Tour’s money list in the year prior to turning 50.

Golfers can also earn exemptions by winning certain tournaments on the Champions Tour or by finishing high enough on the Charles Schwab Cup points list. Finally, golfers can earn exemptions by finishing in the top five at the Champions Tour qualifying tournament.

What is the Charles Schwab Cup and how does it relate to qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour?

The Charles Schwab Cup is the season-long points competition on the Champions Tour. At the end of the season, the golfer with the most points is awarded the Charles Schwab Cup trophy and a cash prize. The points earned during the season also determine exemptions for the following year’s Senior PGA Tour.

The top five golfers on the Charles Schwab Cup points list earn exemptions for the Senior PGA Tour, while the top 30 earn exemption to participate in the Champions Tour qualifying tournament.

What is the process for qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour?

To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, a golfer must first meet the age and success requirements outlined by the PGA Tour. Once these requirements are met, the golfer must become a member in good standing of the PGA Tour or successfully complete the Champions Tour qualifying tournament.

Once on the tour, golfers can earn exemptions for subsequent years by achieving success in tournaments and on the Charles Schwab Cup points list. Golfers can also retain their exempt status by finishing in the top 31 on the money list for the season.

What are some tips for qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour?

To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, it is essential to have a strong foundation of success on the regular PGA Tour. This means winning tournaments, earning money, and establishing a reputation as a skilled and consistent golfer.

It is also important to stay healthy and maintain a high level of fitness as golfers age. This can help prevent injuries and ensure that golfers are able to continue competing at a high level. Finally, golfers should make every effort to participate in tournaments on the Champions Tour and earn exemptions through success on the Charles Schwab Cup points list.

Do I Have a Chance Making a PGA Champions Tour Event?

Becoming a professional golfer is a dream for many, but qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour is a significant achievement. This tour is designed for players who have turned 50 years old and are looking to continue their careers in golf. Qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour requires skill, hard work, and dedication.

To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, golfers need to have a strong record of performance in amateur and professional events. They must also have a consistent and competitive record on their local, regional, and national tours. Golfers need to have a solid game plan, including a fitness regime, nutrition plan, and mental preparation. They must also have the financial resources to support themselves while they work towards their goal. With determination, perseverance, and dedication, golfers can qualify for the Senior PGA Tour and achieve their dream of playing golf professionally well into their golden years.

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Senior Golf Source

5 Major Tournaments of The Senior Golf Tour | Tour Champions

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PGA Tour Champions also known as the Senior Tour in 2023. Photo taken on the green at En-Joie Golf Club at the Dick's Sporting Goods Championship. Audience is watching the golfers approach the green.

Table of Contents

The PGA Tour Champions (commonly known as the Champions Tour) is a senior golf tour specifically made for golfers above the age of 50. The Professional Golfers Association officially founded the tour over 40 years ago in 1980.

The beauty of golf is that it ages like fine wine. You’re never too old to play golf! Even if you want to play in a USGA Senior Amateur Championship .

This article goes in-depth about the senior golf tour five major tournaments. It highlights renowned championships, golfer stats, and a few fun facts.  However, for a more detailed review of the PGA TOUR Champions, you’ll want to read our ultimate guide .

Origin & History of the Senior Golf Tour

PGA Tour Champions, senior tour at the En-Joie Golf Club

The Senior PGA Championship has been unofficially active since 1937 as a high-profile tournament. It was exclusive for golfers above the age of 50. 

However, in 1978, a profitable tournament between teams of the best senior golfers called the ‘Legends of Golf’ gave birth to the idea of an official senior golf tour.

The PGA formally established the ‘Senior PGA Tour’ in 1980. This senior tour was designed for golfers aged 50 and above to showcase their talent. 

The 1980 tour consisted of only four events. For comparison, the 2021 tour consisted of 25 events. A lot has changed over the years!

The total prize money in 1980 was $475,000, which would be worth $1,707,901 today.

The next ten years, from 1980-1990, saw a considerable increase in the popularity of the senior tournament. The 1990 season consisted of thirty-eight official events with four major tournaments. 

The entire prize money for the 1990 season was a whopping $17.8 million. In 2022, this prize money would be worth around $40,349,753.63 ! 

Fun Fact: Lee Trevino won 7 tournaments in the 1990 senior golf tour season. The most during the season.

Evolution of the PGA Tour Champions Name

In 2002, the tour was renamed the ‘Champions Tour’ till the 2015 season. The name PGA Tour Champions was adopted for the 2016 tour and onwards. 

Qualifying & Playing on the Senior Golf Tour

Competitors in the senior golf tour have to play multiple tournaments throughout the season. These events are usually played over three rounds or 54 holes. 

However, the five major championships of the tour are played over four rounds (72 holes) and have a 36-hole cut. Playing an additional round ensures bringing the best talent to the top of the standings.

Fun Fact: The average male golfer is estimated to hit a 219-yard drive. While the Senior Golf Tour’s average driving distance in 2022 was 282.0 yards . The longest drive of the tour was 308.8 yards by Padraig Harrington.

Senior Tour Age

With age comes wisdom. And the opportunity to qualify for the senior golf tour!

Here are a few requirements to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions:

  • The Senior Tour age requirement is 50 years old minimum.
  • Compete and qualify in the 72-hole Regional Qualifying Stage.
  • All successful qualifiers and exempt players must come in the top 12 of the Final Qualifying Stage between 78 golfers.

Spots in the Senior Golf Tour

Understanding the qualification system of the PGA Tour Champions is complicated, and hardly anyone understands it, according to Bobby Clampett , a professional Golf player, and analyst.

PGA Champions from previous years make up 30 of the 81 players on the field. Another 30 spots are given to players in the top 70 of the PGA Tour and Tour Champions.

The rest of the players include the World Golf Hall of Fame members and winners of previous PGA tours. 

Players competing in the qualifying sessions also have a few spots reserved for them.

The 5 Senior Major Golf Championships & Their Winners

PGA Senior Tour with Senior Golfers making their final putts on the En-Joie Golf Course in NY

The Senior Major championships are a big deal in the tour. The best of the best golfers participate in Majors. Meaning that only players that meet certain criteria are given a spot in the Major tournament.

Major champions have their names go down in history books. This is one of the reasons why golfers praise Major events.  

There are five major championships in the PGA Tour Champions. These championships differ from the other tours as they are played over four rounds (as opposed to 3 in the standard events). 

Here are the five majors of the PGA Tour Champions, along with their relevant winners.

Read Next: The 34 Best Arnold Palmer Quotes on Golf, Life, & Success

1. Senior PGA Championship 

The Senior PGA Championship is the oldest of the five senior major championships. The Championship was established in 1937. 

It was first played at the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, United States. 

The event was one of the four events in the inaugural of the PGA Tours Championship in 1980. The Championship event was played in Florida in 1980. Over the next 42 years, the event has taken place on 17 different courses in various cities.

The eligibility criteria for the Senior PGA Championship are slightly different. The criterion includes:

  • The previous winners of the Senior PGA Championship. 
  • Winners of other major tournaments are also eligible.  
  • Members of the Ryders Cup team and top European and Japanese Senior Tour players can also qualify.

2022 Senior PGA Championship Winner: Steven Alker won the 2022 Championship held in Michigan.

Most wins in the Senior PGA Championship: Since 1980, the record number of wins in this championship is held by Hale Irwin . Irwin claimed the trophy in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2004. 

2. The Tradition

The Tradition, or the Regions Tradition , is one of the five senior major championships. This championship was established in 1989 in Arizona. In 2003 the event relocated to Oregon and has since moved to Alabama. 

The event is now hosted at the Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. where players complete four rounds on the course and play 72 holes. 

The most recent event was held in 2022, marking its 30th year of play.

2022 Regions Tradition Winner: Steve Stricker took the trophy for the 2022 Tradition championship. The winner earned $375,000 for his victory in the tour. 

Most wins in the Regions Tradition: The record for the most number of wins in the Tradition is held by Jack Nicklaus . Nicklaus won the championship four times: in 1990, 1991, 1995, and 1996. 

3. U.S. Senior Open

Senior Golf Tour: US Open 2013.  By: Jonathan Palombo Photography

The U.S. Senior Open is one of the most renowned five major championships in the PGA Tour Champions. The championship is administered by the United St ates Go lf Association . The PGA has recognized it as a major championship since its establishment.  

The championship was introduced in 1980 and was one of the four events in the first PGA Tour Champions in New York. It is currently played at the Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania.

The US Senior Open is open for both amateurs and professionals. However, experienced players tend to dominate the championship, like any other. 

2022 U.S. Senior Open Winner: The most recent champion is Padraig Harrington . He received  $720,000 for his winning share.

Most wins in the U.S. Senior Open: The record for most wins in the event is held by Mille r Barber , who won 3 events in 1982, 1984, and 1985. 

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4. Senior Players Championship

The Senior Players Championship is currently known as the Kaulig Companies Championship. It is also recognized as a major championship in the PGA Tour Champions. 

The Championship was first held in 1983, 3 years after the establishment of the PGA Senior Golf Tour. It was most recently held at the Firestone Country Club in Ohio. 

2022 Senior Players Championship Winner: The 2022 champion was Jerry Kelly , who received $450,000 for his victory in the event. 

Most wins in the Senior Players Championship: Bernhard Langer holds the record for winning the most trophies in the Senior Players Championship. He won the majors consecutively in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

5. The Senior Open Championship

The Senior Open Championship was recognized as a major in the PGA Tour Champions much later in 2003. 

The Championship was established in 1987 in the United Kingdom. Currently, it’s known as the Senior Open Championship by Rolex for sponsorship reasons.

Fun Fact: The Senior Open Championship i s the only senior major championship in the PGA seniors tour held outside the United States.

2022 Senior Open Championship by Rolex Winner: The 2022 champion for the Senior Open Championship is Darren Clarke. He earned $432,080 for winning the major title.

Most wins in the Senior Open Championship by Rolex: Bernhard Langer also holds the title for most wins in Senior Open Championship. He won the tournaments in 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2019.

Other Noteworthy Senior Tours

Everyone deserves to play competitive golf. At every stage and age. 

Let’s have a look at some well-known senior tours. 

Legends of the LPGA (Women’s Senior Golf Tour)

Legends of the LPGA is a women’s senior golf tour. It’s a tour of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for women over the age of 45.

The tour was established in 2000 by 25 retired LPGA players who modeled it after the men’s senior tour. 

From its initial days, the tour grew from two annual events to eleven events in 2013. 

In 2017, the Senior LPGA Championship was also inaugurated. This tournament is an annual tour event alongside the Senior Women’s Open. 

2022 Senior LPGA Winner: Karrie Webb won the 2022 Senior LPGA championship. She got prize money of $60,000 for her win.

Most wins in the Senior LPGA Championship: Trish Johnson holds the most wins in the Senior LPGA Championship. She won the championship twice in 2017 and 2021.

⛳️ Related: Top 25 PGA Tour Champions to Watch This Year

Senior Amateur Golf Tour

Senior Amateur Golfer preparing for his fairway shot with his iron

The Senior Amateur Golf Tour was established in 1999 for amateur players above the age of 50. 

It’s open to play for golfers of all skill levels. The only requirement is to be above the age of 50 and get a membership.

Players can get a membership to play in their local flights. Membership cards cost between $85 to $100 annually. The price variation depends on your location.

Moreover, you’ll need to pay a tournament fee to enter each tournament. The price again varies on your location but ranges from $65 to $100. 

Note: This price includes your green fee, golf cart, and range balls. The winning prize is also calculated from the tournament fee.

Players earn points by regularly playing in their local flights. 

Players can then compete in stroke-play tournaments locally. The tour concludes with a National Tour Championship. 

Top amateur players from across the country can compete with each other for the title. The golfers need a set number of points to qualify for the National Championship.

The Sunbelt Senior Golf Tour

The Sunbelt Senior Golf Tour was one of the most recognized golf tours to prepare yourself for the PGA Tour Champions or the European Senior Tour. Although no longer active, this Senior Golf Tour allowed golfers ages 49 and above to experience a competitive senior golf tournament beforehand.

⛳️ Read Next: The Amazing Ben Hogan Golf Story: 5 Lessons to Inspire You

Senior Golf Tour Final Thoughts

So that’s a wrap on Senior Golf Tour Major Tournaments. This series of tournaments is truly an incredible offering for golfers above 50.

If you enjoy reading about the senior golf tour events, you may also enjoy reading some of our “what’s in the bag” articles listed below.

What are the 5 senior majors?

The five senior majors on the PGA Tour Champions are the Senior PGA Championship, The Tradition (Regions Tradition), U.S. Senior Open, The Senior Players Championship, and the Senior Open Championship.

What Age for the Senior PGA Tour?

The Senior Tour age requirement is to be at least 50 years old.

What age is senior LPGA?

Legends of the LPGA is the official senior tour of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. You must be 45 years old at a minimum to be eligible.

Related Senior Golf Articles

Mike Weir WITB 2023 | The 2003 Masters Champion’s Clubs
The 10 Best Golf Clubs for Senior Women [Expert Review]
The 58 Greatest Golf Quotes of All Time
Who is Bernhard Langer? Remarkable Rags to Riches Golf Story
8 Best Tips for Speeding up Your Pace of Play in Golf
Trish Johnson: The Long Bumpy Road to Golf Success

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Erin has spent over 17 years as a healthcare executive working with seniors in nursing homes, skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living communities. She also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and other advanced degrees related to seniors.

Erin grew up playing golf in a family of golf fanatics. She started this site to help others add more enjoyment to the game of life through golf.

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A view of the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY.

PGA Championship Eligibility Requirements

  • All former winners of the PGA Championship.
  • Winners of the last five Masters (2020 – 2024)
  • Winners of the last five U.S. Opens (2019 – 2023).
  • Winners of the last five Open Championships (2018 – 2023). Canceled in 2020.
  • Winners of the last three THE PLAYERS Championships (2022 – 2024).
  • The top 3 on the International Federation Official World Golf Ranking List as of April 29, 2024.
  • Winner of the 2023 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
  • The top 15 finishers and ties from the 2023 PGA Championship.
  • The top 20 finishers from the 2024 PGA Professional Championship.
  • The top 70 players who are eligible and have earned the most PGA Championship Points from the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge through the 2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson (ending May 5, 2024).
  • Playing members of the last-named U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams (2023) provided they remain within the top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings as of May 6, 2024.
  • Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments, whose victories are considered official, from the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge through the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship and the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic.
  • The top 3 finishers on the DP World Tour Asian Swing event rankings, that include the Porsche Singapore Open, the Hero Indian Open, the ISPS Handa Championship and the Volvo China Open.
  • The PGA of America reserves the right to invite additional players not included in the categories listed above.
  • 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 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge through the 2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson (ending May 5, 2024), in order of their position on such list.

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A pro's story

PGA Championship 2024: He quit the game for 20 years, and now 61-year-old has bucket-list spot in major championship

2024 PGA Professional Championship

Tracy Phillips hits his tee shot during the final round of the PGA Professional Championship in May.

Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America

No one quits golf for 20 years and then magically qualifies for his first major championship at an age when many guys are starting to wind down their competitive careers. That just sounds crazy. “It’s totally crazy,” said Tracy Phillips, who is only too happy to simultaneously have checked off “do something crazy” and “play in a major” from his bucket list.

One of 21 club professionals in the field at this week’s 106th PGA Championship in Louisville, Ky., Phillips stands out—all 5 feet, 4 inches of him—as the most intriguingly obscure figure at Valhalla Golf Club. He is a 61-year-old teaching pro out of Oklahoma who once was a hotshot junior and a college All-American. Davis Love III labeled Phillips as perhaps the finest player that almost no one has heard of. Legendary instructor Harvey Penick once wrote that Phillips owned one of the best short games he ever saw.

Phillips was practically born to play golf until he swallowed an elixir of frustration and burnout and left the game that was his father’s passion and calling until his last breath.

“Dad would have loved this. He might not have believed it either,” Phillips said of his father Buddy, who died in 2020 after serving nearly 60 years as a club professional and instructor.

At one time, the old man probably would have expected it. He raised a prodigy, one who just about hit the ground running in golf. Well, it’s more accurate to say he nearly, um, hit the ground at a golf course as his mom was running off it. In late 1962, Doris Phillips was watching her husband play at Artesia Country Club in New Mexico, where he was head pro, when she went into labor. Made it to the hospital in time to deliver a boy and avoid the two-shot penalty for arriving late to the tee.

Tracy started playing golf at age 2, loved to practice, and became a proficient scorer—and that was before Penick took him under his wing as an occasional pupil. He went on to become a four-time AJGA All-American from 1978-81 and was No. 1 in Golf Digest’s junior rankings in 1979. In 1980, Phillips won Junior PGA Championship and then headed to the vaunted golf program at Oklahoma State University. He won his first college event by 10 strokes.

After earning second-team All-American honors, he allowed himself to be talked into changing his swing. He developed the driver yips, left OSU, tried the Asian Tour, lost 15 pounds and most of the rest of his mojo, and then caught the first faint whiff of what eventually was the full conflagration of burnout.

2024 PGA Professional Championship

Tracy Phillips walks off the 18th hole during the final round of the PGA Professional Championship.

Phillips still loved being in the game and turned his attention to teaching. Among his mentors was Hank Haney. He went to work for his father at Cedar Ridge Country Club, near Tulsa, where he remains today as Director of Instruction. Meanwhile, Phillips didn’t touch his clubs for 20 years, though he did carry them during a three-year stint as caddie for Kelli Kuehne on the LPGA Tour.

He took up fishing in his spare time, telling friends he would “rather go to the dentist than play golf.” He actually felt relief eschewing the course, but then a fellow pro, Vince Bizik, a friend from junior golf, coaxed him back. They played casual rounds together. Phillips began to enjoy himself, and he rediscovered his long-lost knack for scoring. His competitive chops were still intact, too, and by 2014 he qualified for the first of four appearances in the Senior PGA Championship. In 2022, Phillips was the tournament’s low club pro, finishing T-17 at five-under 279 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Mich., and a few months later in his only start in the U.S. Senior Open, he finished 24th at Saucon Valley in Bethlehem, Pa.

Still, Phillips only once got close to the top 20 in the PGA Professional National Championship, the magic number necessary for an exemption into the PGA Championship. That also occurred in 2022 when he ended up T-28 after a final-round 77 at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas. “I missed by two. That was a tough one,” he said. “It was a good chance, but it probably helped me out. It gave me a lot of confidence.”

Well, chance is an angel. Confidence is wind under the wings.

Despite seven weather delays and having to play 30 holes on the third day of this year’s PGA Professional Championship, Phillips, among the oldest contestants in the 312-player field, somehow persevered. He posted rounds of 72-70 at Fields Ranch in Frisco, Texas, to make the cut, added a third-round 75 while staving off fatigue, and then gathered himself for another three-over 75 amid stiff breezes to tie for eighth.

“It wasn’t the greatest circumstances for a guy my age dealing with all the delays,” Phillips said. “I was proud of how I hung in there.”

Facing a golf course that tops out at 7,609 yards and will play longer because of recent rainfall, Phillips is tempering his expectations at Valhalla, knowing he’ll be employing plenty of metal woods and utility clubs into the greens. During practice rounds he has hit, at most, eight full iron shots. “It’s going to be brutal for a guy who doesn’t hit it very far and will struggle to get it out of the rough, so I have to be in the fairway and get it up and down where I can,” he said, chuckling. “I’m interested to see what kind of numbers I’ll be looking at [for approach shots].”

It's not that scoring isn’t important; the guy is a pro golfer. He wants to acquit himself decently playing the opening two rounds with Denny McCarthy and Japan’s Keita Nakajima. But savoring the experience is top of mind. On Tuesday afternoon, Phillips found himself hitting balls on the range next to Louisville native and two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas. He’d love to say hello to Tiger Woods, whom he met in 1996 when Kuehne and Woods were teammates in the JCPenney Classic mixed-team event. “It’s neat stuff,” he agreed.

“To think at my age and taking that much time off that I could have enough game left to be able to do some of these things is something I’m proud of,” said Phillips, who next week returns to Harbor Shores for another start in the Senior PGA. “I’m blessed, really, to play in a major championship this late in my career. It’s going to be something. It’s pretty crazy.”

There’s that word again: crazy.

Phillips is golf’s version of Jack Dundee, the Robin Williams character in the 1986 movie, “The Best of Times,” who seeks a measure of redemption by replaying a high school football game that he was responsible for losing more than a decade earlier. Dundee is repeatedly told, “Jack, you can’t play that game again.” Redemption isn’t on Phillips’ agenda, though.

Late last year, in the days immediately following his 61st birthday, Phillips played in the PGA Tour Champions final qualifying tournament, getting a spot in the field after finishing joint fourth in the Senior Club Pro Championship. Though he didn’t earn a card, he enjoyed the challenge, shooting even-par 284 at TPC Scottsdale to finish T-47. “My game is in a good place. It has been for a couple of years,” Phillips said. “I’m having fun with it, and for a long time I didn’t think that would ever happen again.”

Phillips just wants to keep playing the game. And he should. He is still good at it. Never mind his results this week at Valhalla. The proof is in being there.

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Pathway to the Pros: Rose Zhang and Ludvig Aberg

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For college golf superstars Rose Zhang and Ludvig Aberg, a key factor makes their standout paths to the LPGA and PGA Tours brighter. Both took the road to the big leagues through their university rankings, and in launching their professional careers, both Zhang and Aberg have become bright rising stars in the competitive world of professional golf.

Zhang won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur as well as the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Individual Championships. In April 2023, her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur secured her title as the top women’s amateur for 142 weeks. These accomplishments qualified Zhang to compete in an LPGA Tour event as a sponsor exemption.

Equally, Ludvig Aberg, prior to becoming a professional on the PGA Tour, ranked as the top male amateur in the world for 28 weeks. As a Texas Tech University student, Aberg won the 2022 and 2023 Big 12 Men’s Golf Individual Championships, securing his PGA Tour card without following the Korn Ferry Tour pathway to professional golf, as he was the top player in the final 2023 PGA Tour University Ranking.

By comparing these two young athletes, it becomes clear to see how their exceptionally consistent growth positioned them to reach their goals. Zhang competed at the collegiate level for two years, whereas Aberg competed all four years on his college golf team.

Zhang won her first professional start at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open, defeating Jennifer Kupcho on the second playoff hole at Liberty National Golf Club to earn LPGA Tour membership without entering the LPGA Qualifying Series. Shortly after, she qualified to join the U.S. Solheim Cup team by being the highest-ranked American player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings during her rookie season, and within three months, she was competing against Team Europe in Spain. Last week, Zhang won the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup with a four-day total of 24-under (264).

Aberg won his first DP World Tour title at the 2023 Omega European Masters and was chosen as a captain’s pick to play for Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup held in Italy. He recorded his first PGA Tour win at the 2023 RSM Classic, played at Sea Island Golf Club.

Leading into this week’s tournament, Zhang will attempt to defend her title at Liberty National Golf Club. Concurrently, Aberg will be making his second career start in a major championship at Valhalla Golf Club after finishing second at Augusta National Golf Club in the Masters. Both players have ascended to No. 6 in their respective world rankings. According to KPMG Performance Insights, Zhang ranks in the top 10 on the LPGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green and strokes gained approach.

As the week unfolds, both Zhang and Aberg will have the opportunity to showcase the best of their game while continuing to improve their standing among the finest professional golfers in the world.

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Lucas glover rips pga tour player directors: 'they somehow think they're smarter than the business people', share this article.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lucas Glover has concerns with the direction the PGA Tour is headed as a business. He hasn’t been afraid to voice those concerns publicly. On Monday evening, he didn’t hold back on his SiriusXM show, “The Lucas Glover Show,” while reacting to the news of Jimmy Dunne resigning from the PGA Tour Policy Board on Monday on the eve of the 2024 PGA Championship .

“We (golfers) have no business having the majority (on the board). Tour players play golf. Businessmen run business. They don’t tell us how to hit seven irons. We shouldn’t be telling them how to run a business,” he said. “We’re about to launch a huge, huge, huge enterprise and a for-profit company that all the players are gonna own a part of, and we don’t have the smartest possible people there to help us guide us in the right direction. That’s scary.”

He added: “The board situation and the way they’re gonna reach these decisions now is backwards. It’s 100 percent backwards.”

Dunne, who was the central figure in meeting with Saudi Arabia’s PIF boss and LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan that led to the bombshell framework agreement announced June 6, 2023, resigned from the Board on Monday, stating that no progress had been made on a deal and his role had become “utterly superfluous” with the players controlling the majority of the board seats.

Here’s a more complete version of Glover’s comments on the subject with his co-host Mac Barnhardt, a longtime golf agent.

“Yesterday Jimmy Dunne resigns from the board. I’ve known Jimmy for a long time. Blown away,” Barnhardt said. “I don’t know enough to know anything. I’m probably too ignorant of what’s going on to know this, but I’d want Jimmy Dunne in that room. I’m sorry. That’s just the way you gotta feel. And not that I don’t want you golfers in it. I think you golfers have a say in this, but I mean, this is a big sport and a really tough time, and I would want some serious business people sitting around the table.”

“Yeah, me too. And I’m probably gonna irritate my peers and fellow Tour players by saying what I’m about to say,” Glover responded, “but for a long time the players were outnumbered on the board, five to four. And a lot of players thought that it would never be our Tour if we didn’t have the majority. Well, I think we’re seeing why it was that way now. We do have the majority and we have no business having the majority. Tour players play golf. Businessmen run business. They don’t tell us how to hit seven irons. We shouldn’t be telling them how to run a business. And we are running a business now. And we’re all on the same team because this for-profit entity that’s about to launch needs to get it right. It needs to be right. And players that think they know more than Jimmy Dunne, players that think they know more than (Board chairman of the 501-C6) Ed Herlihy, players that think they know more than (chairman of the new for-profit entity) Joe Gorder, players that think they know more than (Tour commissioner) Jay Monahan, when it comes to business, are wrong.”

He continued: “And unfortunately, people like Jimmy are now seeing this and they’re now understanding that their vote actually doesn’t count. The exact same way the players felt before we had the majority. Problem is we need those people because guess what? They went to school for business, not golf. My biggest fear in all this is that it’s gonna turn into the American presidency where nobody that’s actually qualified will actually run for it because they know that it’s fruitless.

“And that’s where we’re headed now with our Board, unfortunately, is because now that the players have a majority and they somehow think they’re smarter than the business people, why are the best business people gonna come help us? And Jimmy just basically said that. And I’m not putting words in Jimmy’s mouth, but I can read and I can also see what’s happening, and I know what’s happening. And it’s scary because we’re about to launch a huge, huge, huge enterprise and a for-profit company that all the players are gonna own a part of, and we don’t have the smartest possible people there to help us guide us in the right direction. That’s scary.”

Glover argued that the Tour needs to revisit its Board setup.

“It’s swayed too far the other way now. And I was always on the fence about the whether the players should have a majority or not. And the last 10 years, and especially the last 18 months, have really opened my eyes that golfers are golfers. Businessmen are businessmen. There’s a big difference. And these guys that play golf for a living that think they know how to run a business, they need to look in the mirror and figure this out because I’m sad to say they’re wrong, and now they’ve run off Jimmy Dunne,” Glover said.

He added: “I’m at the point in my career now and my future and my family’s future hinges on this, these decisions that are about to be made. So that’s why I’ve decided in the last few months to start speaking up. But the Board situation and the way they’re gonna reach these decisions now is backwards. It’s 100 percent backwards. And like I said, a lot of my peers and a lot of other Tour players aren’t gonna agree with me. But the proof’s in the pudding, we had an opportunity to get this done and it didn’t get done. And now we’re losing the people that are the most effective and already had it done to be frank.”

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In pictures: rory mcilroy and wife erica stoll, pga championship 2024 odds, tournament history and picks to win, photos: pga championship 2024 tuesday practice round at valhalla golf club, meredith and scottie scheffler welcome their first child to the world, rory mcilroy files for divorce from wife, erica, day before arriving for 2024 pga championship, every significant tournament held at valhalla golf club, host of the pga championship 2024, as rose zhang moves to no. 6 in the world, see which americans are in position to qualify for 2024 olympics.

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Here Are All 16 LIV Golfers in the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club

John schwarb | may 13, 2024.

Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Talor Gooch and Jon Rahm are all players to watch this week at the PGA.

Golf’s second major of 2024 is here, and fans can rejoice in how PGA Tour-LIV Golf squabbles are put aside with players from both sides settling matters on the course.

And the PGA of America has helped LIV Golf bring a sizable contingent to Valhalla Golf Club.

A bit more than 10% of the field—16 of 156 players—is from the Saudi-backed league, up from nine players a year ago at the PGA won by LIV’s Brooks Koepka. Koepka and eight other players were exempt into the field based on various criteria, and seven accepted special invitations. The PGA of America has significant leeway to invite whoever it wants , and it saw fit to invite perhaps a larger number of LIV players than many expected.

Thirteen players from LIV Golf were in the field at last month’s Masters.

Here are all 16 in order of Official World Golf Ranking, with how they qualified, recent history and outlook.

OWGR: 5th How qualified: Won 2023 Masters Recent history: Second in 2024 LIV points standings, T45 at Masters Skinny: LIV’s seismic offseason signing hasn’t won yet but hasn’t played poorly either with four top-5 finishes and just one outside the top 10. Had a disappointing Masters defense but will have less pressure this week.

Tyrrell Hatton

OWGR: 18th How qualified: T15 in 2023 PGA Championship Recent history: T5 LIV Golf Singapore, T9 at Masters Skinny: Fiery Englishman comes in off his best LIV finish. On a streak of nine consecutive made cuts in majors with five top-20 finishes.

Brooks Koepka

OWGR: 39th How qualified: Won 2018, 2019, 2023 PGA Championship Recent history: Won LIV Golf Singapore, T45 at Masters Skinny: The defending champion has his swagger back after winning two weeks ago and lives for majors . A third PGA would put him in rarefied air; only Tiger Woods has won as many in the last four decades.

Cameron Smith

OWGR: 61st How qualified: Won 2022 British Open Recent history: Second at LIV Golf Singapore, T6 at Masters Skinny: Indifferent LIV season got a boost in Singapore, the short-game ace has four top-9 finishes in last six majors starting with the 2022 win at St. Andrews.

Adrian Meronk

OWGR: 65th How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T13 LIV Golf Singapore, missed cut at the Masters Skinny: The PGA traditionally invites all players inside the top 100 in the world, and Meronk remains there after three DP World Tour wins in the 2023 season. Was T40 in first PGA appearance last year. 

Lucas Herbert

OWGR: 90th How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T29 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The Aussie did not qualify for the Masters and only has one top-15 finish all year on LIV. Was T13 at the 2022 PGA. 

Joaquin Niemann

OWGR: 91st How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T8 LIV Golf Singapore, two-time winner earlier in year, T22 Masters Skinny: The Chilean got a special invite from the Masters for globetrotting that included an Australian Open win and played well off it. Now will make 14th consecutive major start, a streak that could be harder to maintain if he falls outside the top 100 in the world.

Patrick Reed

OWGR: 93rd How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T15 LIV Golf Singapore, T12 Masters Skinny: The 2018 Masters champ remains inside the top 100 after a decent Masters but his LIV season hasn’t been notable as he’s 30th in season points.

OWGR: 109th How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T27 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The 22-year-old Spaniard won twice in the offseason on the Asian Tour, which is looked favorably upon. His only other major start is a T39 in the 2023 U.S. Open.

Bryson DeChambeau

OWGR: 124th How qualified: Won 2020 U.S. Open Recent history: T28 LIV Golf Singapore, T6 Masters Skinny: Had a three-event stretch of top-7 finishes in LIV before a pair of T28 efforts, led after 36 holes at Augusta before fading on weekend. T4 at last year’s PGA.

Dean Burmester

OWGR: 133rd How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T17 LIV Golf Singapore, won LIV Golf Miami Skinny: The Zimbabwean is third in LIV points and won back-to-back late last year on the DP World Tour, perhaps all of that factored into being allowed to make his fourth straight PGA Championship start.

Phil Mickelson

OWGR: 160th How qualified: Won 2005, 2021 PGA Championship Recent history: T22 LIV Golf Singapore, T43 Masters Skinny: The 53-year-old hasn’t shown much form this season, 34th in LIV points with one top-10 finish. 

Andy Ogletree

OWGR: 220th How qualified: Top 3, International Federation OWGR list Recent history: T45 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The 26-year-old Georgia Tech grad had his best LIV Golf finish two events ago, a T5 in Adelaide, and now makes his first major start since 2020.

Dustin Johnson

OWGR: 392nd How qualified: Won 2020 Masters Recent history: T7 LIV Golf Singapore, missed cut at the Masters Skinny: The 2022 LIV Golf season champion won his third career LIV event in February in Las Vegas then didn’t have another top-10 until two weeks ago at Singapore. Has five top-10s in the PGA, the last being T2 in 2020.

Talor Gooch

OWGR: 668th How qualified: Special exemption Recent history: T4 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The most polarizing LIV golfer in the field said in February that a potential Rory McIlroy Grand Slam would have an asterisk for not being against all the game’s best. This could be Gooch’s only major start of the year as he wasn’t invited to the Masters and said he won’t qualify for the Opens.

Martin Kaymer

OWGR: 4,338th How qualified: Won 2010 PGA Championship Recent history: T20 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The 39-year-old German is set at the PGA thanks to his win at Whistling Straits but his last made cut was 2018. He’s 42nd in LIV points with a best finish of T14.

John Schwarb

JOHN SCHWARB

John Schwarb is the Senior Editor of SI Golf. He has covered golf for the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times), PGATour.com and Visit Florida; and has also written for ESPN.com, The Golfers Journal and several magazines. He lives in Indianapolis and graduated from Indiana University.

2024 Priority Ranking

1. Winners of PGA Championship or U.S. Open

  • Wyndham Clark
  • Matt Fitzpatrick
  • Raymond Floyd
  • Al Geiberger
  • Collin Morikawa
  • Bobby Nichols
  • Jack Nicklaus
  • Gary Player
  • Justin Thomas
  • Lee Trevino
  • Gary Woodland

Winners prior to prior to 1970 and in the last five seasons and current season

2. Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship

  • Rory McIlroy
  • Scottie Scheffler
  • Webb Simpson

In the last five seasons and current season

3. Winners of the Masters Tournament

  • Hideki Matsuyama
  • Tiger Woods

In the last five seasons and the current season

4. Winners of The Open Championship

  • Brian Harman
  • Shane Lowry
  • Francesco Molinari

6. Winners of World Golf Championships events

  • Billy Horschel

In the last three seasons and the current season

6a. Winners of the Memorial Tournament

  • Viktor Hovland

Winners of the Memorial Tournament in the last 3 years

6a. Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational

  • Kurt Kitayama

Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard in the last 3 years

6a. Winner - The Genesis Invitational

Winner of The Genesis Invitational in the last three years

7. Winner of the FedExCup in each of the last five seasons:

  • Justin Rose
  • Patrick Cantlay

9. Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments

  • Ludvig Åberg
  • Daniel Berger
  • Akshay Bhatia
  • Keegan Bradley
  • Cameron Champ
  • Stewart Cink
  • Corey Conners
  • Nick Dunlap
  • Nico Echavarria
  • Austin Eckroat
  • Harris English
  • Rickie Fowler
  • Brice Garnett
  • Lucas Glover
  • Chris Gotterup
  • Emiliano Grillo
  • Russell Henley
  • Mackenzie Hughes
  • Stephan Jaeger
  • Kevin Kisner
  • Peter Malnati
  • Taylor Moore
  • Trey Mullinax
  • Grayson Murray
  • Vincent Norrman
  • Matthieu Pavon
  • Taylor Pendrith
  • J.T. Poston
  • Seamus Power
  • Chez Reavie
  • Davis Riley
  • Xander Schauffele
  • Jordan Spieth
  • Sepp Straka
  • Adam Svensson
  • Nick Taylor
  • Sahith Theegala
  • Brendon Todd
  • Erik van Rooyen
  • Camilo Villegas
  • Matt Wallace
  • Will Zalatoris

Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments, whose victories are considered official, within the last two seasons, or during the current season; winners receive an additional season of exemption for each additional win, up to five seasons:

10. Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments as an amateur:

No players exempt in this category

11. Career Money Exemption

  • Charley Hoffman
  • Zach Johnson
  • Davis Love III
  • Vijay Singh

A. Players among the Top 50 in career earning as of the end of the preceding season may elect to use a one-time exemption for the next season B. Players among the Top 25 in career earning as of the end of the preceding season may elect to use a one-time exemption for the next season

12. Sponsor exemptions

13. Commissioners Foreign Exemption

14. The current PGA Club Professional Champion

  • Braden Shattuck

Eligible for up to 6 open events (3 must be opposite a PGA TOUR event, World Golf Championships event, and The Open Championship), in addition to any sponsor selections. The exemption does not apply to limited-field open events.

15. PGA Section Champion or Player of the Year

16. Open Qualifiers

17. Past champions of the particular event

18. Life Members

19. Top 30 Prior Year FedEx Cup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List

  • Tommy Fleetwood
  • Adam Schenk
  • Tyrrell Hatton
  • Cameron Young
  • Scott Stallings

20. Top 70 Prior Year FedEx Cup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List

  • Denny McCarthy
  • Adam Hadwin
  • Byeong Hun An
  • Andrew Putnam
  • Patrick Rodgers
  • Taylor Montgomery
  • Alex Smalley
  • Thomas Detry
  • Beau Hossler
  • Hayden Buckley
  • Ben Griffin
  • Keith Mitchell
  • Sam Stevens
  • Matt Kuchar
  • Mark Hubbard
  • Matt NeSmith

20b. Top 125 on Prior Year's FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List

  • Davis Thompson
  • Joel Dahmen
  • Tyler Duncan
  • Michael Kim
  • Garrick Higgo
  • Robby Shelton
  • Callum Tarren
  • David Lingmerth
  • Nate Lashley
  • Greyson Sigg
  • Will Gordon
  • David Lipsky
  • Justin Lower
  • Carson Young
  • Tyson Alexander
  • Danny Willett
  • Kevin Streelman
  • Chesson Hadley
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  • Aaron Baddeley
  • Joseph Bramlett
  • Martin Laird
  • Matti Schmid
  • Andrew Novak
  • Troy Merritt

21. Top 125 Nonmember

  • Min Woo Lee
  • Nicolai Højgaard

Players who earned points greater than or equal to top 125 on the 2022-2023 PGA TOUR FedExCup Fall Playoffs & Eligibility Points List as non-members:

22. Major Medical Extension:

  • Maverick McNealy
  • Lanto Griffin
  • Brandt Snedeker
  • Jhonattan Vegas
  • Michael Thompson
  • J.B. Holmes
  • Tyler McCumber
  • Vince Whaley

If granted by the Commissioner, if not otherwise eligible, and if needed to fill the field, Special Medical Extension.

23. Top player earning his PGA TOUR card through the DP World Tour

  • Adrian Meronk

The leading player (not otherwise exempt) on the season ending's DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings.

23. Three Time Winner on the Korn Ferry Tour

23. Leading Points Winner from the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour

Leading Points Winner from the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Points List

24. Leading points winner from Korn Ferry Tour & Korn Ferry Tour Finals medical

24. PGA TOUR University #1 – Prior Season

24. PGA TOUR University Accelerated – Prior Season

25. Top 10 and ties from previous event

26. DP World Tour / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category - Reordered

  • Sami Valimaki
  • Chandler Phillips
  • Erik Barnes
  • Victor Perez
  • Jimmy Stanger
  • David Skinns
  • Alejandro Tosti
  • Ben Silverman
  • Ryo Hisatsune
  • Max Greyserman
  • Joe Highsmith
  • Robert MacIntyre
  • Hayden Springer
  • Mac Meissner
  • Alexander Björk
  • Jacob Bridgeman
  • Rafael Campos
  • Parker Coody
  • Tom Whitney
  • Bronson Burgoon
  • Adrien Dumont de Chassart
  • Jorge Campillo
  • Thorbjørn Olesen
  • Norman Xiong
  • Kevin Dougherty
  • Trace Crowe
  • Wilson Furr
  • Harrison Endycott
  • Roger Sloan
  • Pierceson Coody
  • Ryan McCormick
  • Paul Barjon
  • Raul Pereda
  • Patrick Fishburn
  • Josh Teater
  • Scott Gutschewski
  • Nicholas Lindheim
  • Blaine Hale, Jr.
  • Tim Wilkinson
  • Anders Albertson
  • Brandon Matthews
  • Philip Knowles
  • Vince Covello

Note: Periodic reordering shall take place on the Mondays of the Masters and after then Wyndham Championship

27. Next highest-ranked players, to a floor or the 10th player, in the final Race to Dubai standings who do not already hold PGA TOUR status

28. Players 2-30 on the Prior Season's Korn Ferry Tour Points List

29. Top 5 and Ties from PGA TOUR Q-School earning their PGA TOUR Card

28. 300 Career Cuts

29. Top Finishers from the Korn Ferry Tour medical:

30. No. 1 player in the final PGA TOUR University Ranking

30. PGA TOUR University Accelerated (current season)

30. Players winning three Korn Ferry Tour events in the current season

31. Minor medical extension:

32. Reorder category (34-39)

  • Martin Trainer
  • Wesley Bryan
  • Henrik Norlander
  • Patton Kizzire
  • Kevin Chappell
  • Austin Cook
  • Ryan Palmer
  • Sean O'Hair
  • Richy Werenski
  • Kelly Kraft
  • Nick Watney
  • Austin Smotherman
  • Cody Gribble
  • Zecheng Dou
  • Russell Knox
  • José María Olazábal
  • Scott Piercy
  • Tommy Gainey
  • Harry Higgs
  • William McGirt
  • Padraig Harrington
  • Jimmy Walker
  • Paul Haley II
  • Robert Streb
  • Kyle Stanley
  • Sangmoon Bae
  • Ryan Armour
  • Brian Stuard
  • Chris Stroud

Note: • All conditional categories (126-150, Beyond 150, Past Champions, Veteran Members, and STMs) will undergo reshuffling collectively, as opposed to reshuffling within their specific categories approximately every fourth full-field event (i.e. after the West Coast (WM Phoenix), after the Florida Swing (Valspar Championship), and following the Zurich Classic, RBC Canadian Open, Barracuda Championship, and every fourth event through the Fall schedule TBD).

32a. 126-150 On Prior Season's FedExCup Points List

  • Kramer Hickok
  • Matthias Schwab

33. Non-Exempt Major Medical Extension.

35. Past Champions and Veteran Members - beyond 150 on the previous season's FedExCup Points List.

  • Satoshi Kodaira
  • Dylan Frittelli
  • Jason Dufner
  • Luke Donald
  • Fabián Gómez
  • Jonathan Byrd
  • Jonas Blixt
  • Andrew Landry
  • Ricky Barnes
  • Geoff Ogilvy
  • Rory Sabbatini
  • Ted Potter, Jr.
  • Scott Brown
  • D.J. Trahan
  • Greg Chalmers
  • D.A. Points
  • Jerry Kelly
  • Derek Ernst
  • Derek Lamely
  • Robert Garrigus
  • Fred Couples
  • Kevin Stadler
  • George McNeill
  • Arjun Atwal
  • Bo Van Pelt
  • Mark Wilson
  • Jeff Overton
  • Richard Johnson
  • Boo Weekley

If not otherwise eligible and as needed to fill the field, Past Champion members, Team Tournament Winners, and Veteran members beyond 150th place on the previous season's FedExCup points list in order of their combined official PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour (through Korn Ferry Tour Championship) money in the previous season

36. Past Champion Members.

  • Mark O'Meara
  • Corey Pavin
  • Kenny Perry
  • Mark Calcavecchia
  • Steve Stricker
  • Justin Leonard
  • David Frost
  • Stuart Appleby
  • Steve Jones
  • Retief Goosen
  • John Huston
  • Joey Sindelar
  • Hunter Mahan
  • Jeff Sluman
  • Rocco Mediate
  • Scott Verplank
  • Carl Pettersson
  • Billy Mayfair
  • Jesper Parnevik
  • Dan Forsman
  • Robert Allenby
  • Chad Campbell
  • Stephen Ames
  • Steve Flesch
  • Woody Austin
  • Heath Slocum
  • Billy Andrade
  • Duffy Waldorf
  • Carlos Franco
  • Notah Begay III
  • Chris DiMarco
  • Vaughn Taylor
  • Jeff Maggert
  • John Rollins
  • Rod Pampling
  • Kirk Triplett
  • Scott McCarron
  • Johnson Wagner
  • Bernhard Langer
  • Cameron Beckman
  • Robert Gamez
  • Darren Clarke
  • Olin Browne
  • Gene Sauers
  • Gary Hallberg
  • John Senden
  • Tom Pernice Jr.
  • Paul Goydos
  • Frank Lickliter II
  • Jonathan Kaye
  • Daniel Chopra
  • Paul Stankowski
  • Len Mattiace
  • Steven Bowditch
  • Todd Hamilton
  • José Coceres
  • Keith Clearwater
  • Gabriel Hjertstedt
  • Kevin Sutherland
  • Tim Petrovic
  • Chris Riley
  • Harrison Frazar
  • Andres Romero
  • Ryuji Imada
  • John Merrick
  • Mark Hensby
  • Neal Lancaster
  • Dicky Pride
  • Russ Cochran
  • Chris Smith
  • Grant Waite
  • Brandel Chamblee
  • Charlie Beljan
  • Willie Wood
  • Parker McLachlin
  • Spike McRoy
  • Mike Heinen

37. Special Temporary Members

38. Team Tournament Winners

39. Veteran Members

  • David Duval
  • Brian Davis
  • Brett Quigley
  • David Hearn
  • Shaun Micheel
  • Brandt Jobe
  • Skip Kendall
  • Michael Allen
  • Jay Williamson
  • Craig Barlow
  • Marco Dawson
  • Omar Uresti
  • Mike Springer

If not otherwise eligible and if needed to fill the field, Veteran members (players who have made a minimum of 150 cuts during their career), in order of their standing on the PGA TOUR Career Money List.

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  4. The BEST Shots from Round 2

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  6. 1995 Commercials/Promos (Senior PGA Tour) coverage #11 (August 5th, 1995) (ESPN2)

COMMENTS

  1. How to Qualify for the Senior PGA Tour

    Go to the Champions Tour website to download the qualifying application (see references). Along with your application, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate, results from two tournaments held within the last year, and two letters of reference from a Class A PGA pro or a Champions Tour member. Play in the Regional Qualifying Stage.

  2. 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Eligibility Ranking

    The top five players from the previous year's PGA TOUR Champions National Qualifying Tournament. The players with the top 4 low scores from the Open Qualifying event for the selected tournament. ...

  3. 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament-Final Stage

    PGA TOUR Champions Tournament Overview 2023 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament-Final Stage, Scottsdale - Golf Scores and Results

  4. qualifying.pgatourhq.com

    Interested in playing on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, or PGA TOUR Americas? Click on the links below to get information on either open qualifying or the qualifying tournament processes for each Tour

  5. Senior PGA Tour Qualifying Guide

    The Senior PGA Tour qualifying process is designed to identify the top talent among professional golfers aged 50 and above who wish to compete on the tour. It consists of a series of qualifying tournaments where players compete for limited spots to secure their place on the tour for the upcoming season. The qualifying process is both ...

  6. How Do You Qualify For Champions Golf 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.

  7. PGA TOUR Champions: Official home of the Charles Schwab Cup

    Official home: PGA TOUR Champions, live scoring, news, stats, video, player profiles and tournament information. The best PGA TOUR golfers age 50 and above.

  8. PGA Tour Champions

    PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour) is a men's professional senior golf tour, administered as a branch of the PGA Tour. History and format ... At the start of the season, 5 players from the previous year's PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament, in order of finish. During July, this category changes to ...

  9. PGA Tour Champions Q school: Bob May, Shaun Micheel, Tim O'Neal

    After turning 50 in August, Tim O'Neal received the first-ever exemption for an APGA Tour player into a PGA Tour Champions event at the Ascension Charity Classic at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis. O'Neal has played eight PGA Tour events, his most recent at the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic. He played two Champions events in 2022 ...

  10. How To Become A Senior PGA Golfer: The Ultimate Guide

    Requirements to Join the Senior PGA Tour. Getting into the Senior PGA Tour can be a challenging but rewarding experience. To be eligible to join, you must meet certain criteria. The first requirement is age, which is 50 years old or older. You must also have a valid USGA Handicap Index of 8.0 or less or have played on one of the six major international tours recognized by the PGA Tour within ...

  11. 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Open Qualifier Contact List

    North Florida PGA 386-256-1221. [email protected] www.nfpga.com. SAS CHAMPIONSHIP Pre-Qualifier - Friday, October 4, 2024. Pine Hollow Golf Club. Event Qualifier - Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Pine Hollow Golf Club. Adam McCormick, Tournament Director Carolinas PGA 336-398-2742 [email protected] www.carolinas.pga.com

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

    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 ...

  13. How To Qualify For Senior Pga Tour?

    To qualify for the Senior PGA Tour, golfers must be at least 50 years old and have a handicap index of 8 or less. Golfers who have won a major championship on the regular PGA Tour or have won a PGA Tour event within the past five years are automatically eligible. Others can qualify by finishing in the top 30 of the Champions Tour qualifying ...

  14. 5 Major Tournaments Of The Senior Golf Tour

    The PGA formally established the 'Senior PGA Tour' in 1980. This senior tour was designed for golfers aged 50 and above to showcase their talent. ... Members of the Ryders Cup team and top European and Japanese Senior Tour players can also qualify. 2022 Senior PGA Championship Winner: Steven Alker won the 2022 Championship held in Michigan.

  15. PGA TOUR Champions

    KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Benton Harbor, MI • USA. May 23 - 26 ... 2025 PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament-Final Stage ... PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer ...

  16. Staysure PGA Seniors Championship

    The field of 90 competitors will be made up of the leading 60 players on the Legends Tour, the leading 15 players in the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship, not otherwise exempt, and a maximum of three invitations. Information about the Q Series and how to enter. Locations, dates, entry fees, prize funds, qualifying criteria and more.

  17. Senior PGA Championship

    The Senior PGA Championship, established in 1937, is the oldest of the five major championships in men's senior golf.It is administered by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and is recognized as a major championship by both PGA Tour Champions and the European Senior Tour.It was formerly an unofficial money event on the European Senior Tour, but since 2007 has been an official ...

  18. KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

    After a well-placed drive, you'll have a medium-to-short iron approach to a relatively large green with undulations and bunkers guarding the front. Get the latest news and highlights from the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, golf's most historic senior major. The 83rd KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will be held at PGA Frisco, May 23-28 ...

  19. How Players Can Qualify for the PGA Championship

    PGA Championship Eligibility Requirements. The total field will be a maximum of 156 players. The PGA of America has approved the following list of players eligible to compete in the 106th PGA ...

  20. 2024 PGA Championship

    Previous course lengths for major championships 7,458 yards (6,820 m) - par 71, 2014 PGA Championship 7,167 yards (6,554 m) - par 72, 2000 PGA Championship 7,144 yards (6,532 m) - par 72, 1996 PGA Championship Field Criteria. This list details the qualification criteria for the 2024 PGA Championship and the players who qualified under them; any additional criteria under which players ...

  21. PGA Championship 2024: He quit the game for 20 years, and now 61-year

    Late last year, in the days immediately following his 61st birthday, Phillips played in the PGA Tour Champions final qualifying tournament, getting a spot in the field after finishing joint fourth ...

  22. Senior Open Qualifier 2023 Golf Leaderboard

    PGA TOUR Champions Live Leaderboard 2023 Senior Open Qualifier, Akron - Golf Scores and Results Official home: PGA TOUR Champions, live scoring, news, stats, video, player profiles and tournament ...

  23. Pathway to the Pros: Rose Zhang and Ludvig Aberg

    As a Texas Tech University student, Aberg won the 2022 and 2023 Big 12 Men's Golf Individual Championships, securing his PGA Tour card without following the Korn Ferry Tour pathway to ...

  24. Lucas Glover sounds off on PGA Tour Policy Board player directors

    On Monday evening, he didn't hold back on his SiriusXM show, "The Lucas Glover Show," while reacting to the news of Jimmy Dunne resigning from the PGA Tour Policy Board on Monday on the eve of the 2024 PGA Championship. "We (golfers) have no business having the majority (on the board). Tour players play golf. Businessmen run business.

  25. Here Are All 16 LIV Golfers in the PGA ...

    OWGR: 4,338th How qualified: Won 2010 PGA Championship Recent history: T20 LIV Golf Singapore Skinny: The 39-year-old German is set at the PGA thanks to his win at Whistling Straits but his last ...

  26. PGA TOUR Eligibility

    PGA TOUR-sanctioned competition is built on a metaphorical ladder with several rungs, as players move up and down the ladder based on competitive results across a qualifying series or season.

  27. PGA Championship: When Y.E. Yang became 'The Tiger Killer' to clinch

    Yang and Montecinos parted ways a few years later but recently caught up at an event on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit where Yang - now 52 - is currently chasing a first victory ...

  28. 2024 PGA TOUR Eligibility Ranking

    2024 Priority Ranking. 2024 PGA TOUR Eligibility Categories. 1. Winners of PGA Championship or U.S. Open. 2. Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship. 3. Winners of the Masters Tournament. 4.