If you have ever picked up a golf club, you might have wondered how a golfer gets on the PGA Tour. To play as a member on the PGA tour, a player must have a PGA Tour card. You earn a PGA Tour card by being in the top 25 in the PGA Qualifying Tournament, finishing in the top 25 on the Nationwide money list for the year or winning three Nationwide Tour tournaments in a season. There are also several other eligibility categories such as; former Major champions, former multiple tournament winners, top 50 in lifetime career earnings and conditional status for those golfers who finished 126 to 150 on the money list the previous year.
Facts
To be eligible for a PGA Tour card, you must be 18 years of age by the first round of the first tournament in the season. Unless you are currently playing on the Nationwide Tour or have previously won a PGA tournament, you must earn this card by going to the PGA Qualifying Tournament. If you are an amateur, you must have a handicap index of at least two and must present a handicap card to participate in the tournament. This tournament is often referred to as Q-School or Qualifying School.
Function
To attend the PGA Qualifying Tournament, you must submit an application and pay your entry fee to the PGA tour. The tour is held annually in the late fall. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline for the tournament. The tournament has three stages plus a new added round called pre-qualifying. The stages are played in various locations around the country over several months. At each location, a handful of golfers advance to the next round. The top 25 finishers in the final round are eligible for a PGA Tour Card.
Benefits
By having a PGA Tour card, a golfer can play in PGA Tour events. Many players also receive sponsor endorsements and advertising contracts. The PGA Tour card provides the player the opportunity to win large purses in tournaments.
History
In 1965, the first PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament was held and John Schlee won the event. The tour has been played annually each year since. In 1968 to 1969 and 1975 to1981, there were two tournaments each year.
Considerations
If a golfer makes it to the final round in Qualifying School, but does not make the PGA Tour, he is eligible for the Nationwide Tour. Players on the Nationwide Tour can also obtain a card by finishing in the top 25 on the money list for the year or earning a "Battlefield Promotion" by winning three Nationwide Tour events in a season.
Misconceptions
Many people think that if a player holds a PGA Tour card, he can play in any event on the PGA Tour. However, new PGA Tour players are eligible for tournaments based on their ranking in the final round of the Qualifying Tournament. Players can also get sponsor exceptions for tournaments.
Tips
Current PGA Tour players must stay in the top 125 on the money list for the year to keep their card. Players can earn a two year exemption by winning a PGA Tour Tournament or a 10 year exemption by winning one of the four major tournaments.
Resources
- — PGA Tour Qualifying School website
