PGA Tour Eligibility 2024 – Golfers worldwide dream of ascending Mount Olympus to earn that most sacred prize: a PGA Tour card. Offering access to compete against Tiger, Rory and the game’s giants at hallowed venues, these coveted credentials represent validation into the sport’s highest realm. But reaching this shimmering oasis teeming with fame and fortune has only grown more arduous in recent times.
As established superstars lengthen careers thanks to improved fitness, fewer spots open annually for aspiring entrants. And those precious seats become further compressed by an influx of hungry young talents wielding mighty equipment that enables aggressive bombing styles favourable in today’s game. So, in the pressure cooker battle to secure 2024 eligibility, underdogs must strategically accrue FedEx Cup points through strong Korn Ferry and qualifying showings. By analyzing paths navigated by past Cinderella stories, hopefuls can chart roadmaps filled with calculated risk-taking to earn that golden ticket onto golf’s biggest stage.
About PGA Tour
As professional golf’s preeminent organizational body in North America, the PGA Tour stages the sport’s most elite competitive events for world-class players. Officially the “PGA TOUR” with capitalized letters, this nonprofit oversees the flagship annual series of tournaments comprising the PGA Tour calendar.
Created in 1968, when tournament golfers broke away from the club-pro-focused PGA of America, the PGA Tour adopted its current name in 1975 while cementing headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach. This Northeast Florida hub coordinates logistics for nearly week-to-week tournaments.
Beyond the premier PGA Tour slate, the organization additionally directs the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions, developmental Korn Ferry Tour for rising talents, and various international circuits across Canada, Latin America and formerly China. Marquee happenings include THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, the FedExCup Playoffs climaxing in the Tour Championship, and the biennial Presidents Cup pitting the USA against an international squad.
While the PGA Tour manages the most prominent men’s professional events in its jurisdiction, women’s tours like the LPGA operate independently. By annually showcasing elite golf across several tours and age brackets, the PGA Tour has magnified public interest in the modern game.
Eligibility for PGA Tour
Players eligible for the PGA TOUR University Ranking are NCAA Division-I golfers who meet the eligibility criteria below. Eligible players must meet each of the following criteria:
- Either (a) exhaust four years of NCAA athletic eligibility, OR (b) complete four years of college academics (with a minimum of two years of athletics), OR (c) provide intent (with substantiation) of early college graduation (with a minimum of two years of college athletics participation).
- Meet PGA TOUR minimum age and membership requirements.
- Play a minimum of five Eligible Tournaments during the first year of the Ranking Period (Class of 2024: Week 23/2022 through Week 22/2023).
To enrol, a player must apply on forms furnished by PGA TOUR University following the deadlines established by PGA TOUR. A player is eligible to participate in the PGA TOUR University Ranking one time (i.e., over a single two-year period) unless the player has a medical redshirt approved by the NCAA or an additional year of eligibility (i.e., NCAA eligibility relief granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic), is otherwise approved by PGA TOUR University.
Requirements for the PGA Tour 2024
The pinnacle for professional golfers is earning a PGA Tour card to play against the best in the world. Obtaining full tour status is highly competitive and reserved only for the elite. There are a few pathways to qualify:
The primary method is finishing in the top 125 in FedEx Cup points at the end of the season. Exemptions also go to winners of PGA Tour events in the current or previous season. Further spots are allotted from the Korn Ferry Tour Finals and Qualifying Tournament.
However, players cannot simply attend PGA Tour events hoping to play their way in. Rigorous prerequisites must be met before being allowed to enter tournaments as a non-member. Golfers must have registered at least five PGA Tour starts or 25 combined events on developmental tours like the Korn Ferry within the past year. They must also post suitable performance metrics demonstrating a reasonable chance of making the 36-hole cut.
Alternatively, players finishing in the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking can petition for limited entry opportunities. Former tour members with lifetime status may utilize this privilege as well.
In addition, the path to the big leagues is not for overnight sensations or flashes in the pan. Reaching golf’s top tier means proving merit through consistent high-level performances across extensive competitions over time. With enormous financial and legacy stakes in PGA Tour fields, the application requirements ensure only golf’s truly elite make the grade.
Application portal for PGA Tour
To become a PGA Member, you must first become a registered Associate and go through the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM) Program.
1. To register for the PGA PGM Program, you must:
2. Create a PGA.org account. https://account.pga.org/signup
3. Satisfy the PAT requirement; for more information, visit https://apps.pga.org/patinfo/patsearch.cfm. PLEASE NOTE: You are encouraged to verify the expiration dates for the Qualifying Level Courses and the PAT requirement. These expiration dates are noted in the above links.
4. All individuals registering or re-registering as an Associate must complete a Background Check. To complete the background check, https://www.emplscreen.com/pga.asp.
5. Access the Qualifying Level courses on the PGA Knowledge Center. Log in to your PGA.org profile to access the PGA Knowledge Center.
6. Meet the Eligible Employment requirements described:
- Individuals shall be eligibly employed in one of the following classifications.
- You must be full-time and eligibly employed at the time of registration
- Participation in an amateur event will forfeit all work experience credits earned before the event
7. Register as an Associate. Download the registration form: https://www.pga.org/Document-Library/form-202-associate-application.pdf.
Step-by-step application process for PGA Tour Eligibility 2024
Earning a PGA Tour card is golf’s ultimate privilege, provided to only the world’s best players. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for membership:
Step 1 – Register with the PGA Tour by submitting the formal application paperwork and paying your dues. Also, this request includes background details, handicap information, and endorsement contracts.
Step 2 – Submit any necessary petition letters. Certain applicants, like top-200-ranked golfers, must formally request access to limited events through written petitions.
Step 3 – Provide proof you meet tournament entry requirements. This means documenting 5 made PGA Tour cuts in the past 12 months or 25 cumulative starts across lower-level tours. Stats like scoring average and greens in regulation percentage may also be requested to help verify you realistically can make a 36-hole cut.
Step 4 – Await application review. The Commissioner’s office will assess your eligibility status and exempt category. Background checks will scan for any red flags as well.
Step 5 – Officially join the PGA Tour! Once fully approved, you will receive your PGA Tour membership card. This grants access to enter events through the weekly commitment process.
Step 6 – Compete in tournaments! The real work begins in retaining membership by finishing seasons in the top 125 in FedEx Cup points.
Privileged access starts with paperwork, but getting a card is just the beginning – the grind lies in keeping it long-term.
Closing date or deadline for PGA Tour 2024
Here is the complete schedule for the 2024 PGA Tour season, including every major championship and the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs.
| Date | Tournament | Course(s) | Location | Champion and Purse |
| Jan. 1-7 | The Sentry | Kapalua Resort (The Plantation Course) | Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii | Winner: Chris Kirk, $3.6 million from a purse of $20 million |
| Jan. 8-14 | Sony Open in Hawaii | Waialae Country Club | Honolulu, Hawaii | Winner: Grayson Murray, $1,494,000 from a purse of $8.3 million |
| Jan. 15-21 | The American Express | PGA West (Stadium Course, Nicklaus Tournament Course), La Quinta Country Club | La Quinta, California | Winner: Nick Dunlap (a) |
| Jan. 22-27 | Farmers Insurance Open (Saturday finish) | Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course, North Course) | San Diego, California | Winner: Matthieu Pavon, $1,620,000 from a purse of $9 million |
| Jan. 29-Feb. 4 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course | Pebble Beach, California | Winner: Wyndham Clark, $3,600,000 from a purse of $20 million |
| Feb. 5-11 | W.M. Phoenix Open | TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) | Scottsdale, Arizona | Winner: Nick Taylor, $1,584,000 from a purse of $8.8 million |
| Feb. 12-18 | The Genesis Invitational | The Riviera Country Club | Pacific Palisades, California | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| Feb. 19-25 | Mexico Open at Vidanta | Vidanta Vallarta | Vallarta, Mexico | Winner: TBD |
| Feb. 26-March 3 | The Classic in the Palm Beaches | PGA National Resort (Champion Course) | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | Winner: TBD |
| March 4-10 | Arnold Palmer Invitational, presented by Mastercard | Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge | Orlando, Florida | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| March 4-10 | Puerto Rico Open | Grand Reserve Country Club | Rio Grande, Puerto Rico | Winner: TBD |
| March 11-17 | The Players Championship | TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course) | Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Winner: TBD, $25 million |
| March 18-24 | Valspar Championship | Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) | Palm Harbor, Florida | Winner: TBD |
| March 25-31 | Texas Children’s Houston Open | Memorial Park Golf Course | Houston, Texas | Winner: TBD |
| April 1-7 | Valero Texas Open | TPC San Antonio (The Oaks Course) | San Antonio, Texas | Winner: TBD |
| April 8-14 | Masters Tournament | Augusta National Golf Club | Augusta, Georgia | Winner: TBD |
| April 15-21 | RBC Heritage | Harbour Town Golf Links | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| April 22-28 | Zurich Classic of New Orleans | TPC Louisiana | Avondale, Louisiana | Winner: TBD |
| April 29-May 5 | AT&T Byron Nelson | TPC Craig Ranch | McKinney, Texas | Winner: TBD |
| May 6-12 | Wells Fargo Championship | Quail Hollow Club | Charlotte, North Carolina | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| May 6-12 | Myrtle Beach Classic | Dunes Golf & Beach Club | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Winner: TBD |
| May 13-19 | PGA Championship | Valhalla Golf Club | Louisville, Kentucky | Winner: TBD |
| May 20-26 | Charles Schwab Challenge | Colonial Country Club | Fort Worth, Texas | Winner: TBD |
| May 27-June 2 | RBC Canadian Open | Hamilton Golf and Country Club | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Winner: TBD |
| June 3-9 | the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday | Muirfield Village Golf Club | Dublin, Ohio | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| June 10-16 | U.S. Open | Pinehurst Resort (No. 2) | Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina | Winner: TBD |
| June 17-23 | Travelers Championship | TPC River Highlands | Cromwell, Connecticut | Winner: TBD, $20 million |
| June 24-30 | Rocket Mortgage Classic | Detroit Golf Club | Detroit, Michigan | Winner: TBD |
| July 1-7 | John Deere Classic | TPC Deere Run | Silvis, Illinois | Winner: TBD |
| July 8-14 | Genesis Scottish Open | Renaissance Club | North Berwick Scotland | Winner: TBD |
| July 8-14 | Event TBA | Winner: TBD | ||
| July 15-21 | The British Open | Royal Troon | South Ayrshire, Scotland | Winner: TBD |
| July 15-21 | Barracuda Championship | Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood) | Truckee, California | Winner: TBD |
| July 22-28 | 3M Open | TPC Twin Cities | Blaine, Minnesota | Winner: TBD |
| July 29-Aug. 4 | Men’s Olympic Golf Competition | Le Golf National | Paris, France | Winner: TBD |
| Aug. 5-11 | Wyndham Championship | Sedgefield Country Club | Greensboro, North Carolina | Winner: TBD |
Tips for success for PGA Tour
Here are some tips for achieving and maintaining PGA Tour eligibility in 2024:
- Perform well enough on the Korn Ferry Tour to finish in the top 25 on the points list, which earns you a PGA Tour card for the next season. Consistent high finishes will accumulate the points needed.
- Secure a win on the Korn Ferry Tour, which grants an instant promotion to the PGA Tour. Even one victory demonstrates that you can compete and win at the highest level of golf.
- Earn a PGA Tour card via the Qualifying Tournament, or “Q School.” The top finishers earn their tour eligibility at this gruelling competition against other hopefuls.
- Suppose you earn Special Temporary Membership by exceeding the amount equivalent to No. 150 on the FedExCup points list in a given season. In that case, you can accept unlimited PGA Tour sponsor exemptions for the remainder of the season to try to retain your status.
- As an established pro, carefully manage your schedule and perform well enough to finish in the top 125 FedExCup points. Meeting this cutoff secures a tournament exemption for the following season.
- Glean as many FedExCup points as possible through solid showings at co-sanctioned events or when given limited-field outings. Every point strengthens your pursuit of a card.
- Stay healthy and tournament-sharp to be ready to capitalize whenever you get a start on a sponsor’s invite. PGA Tour life is a grind, so train and prepare religiously between outings.
Any other relevant information
Aspiring tour professionals should remember that reaching golf’s top tier requires years of diligent effort; overnight success stories are rare.
- Before breaking through, prepare for long days on remote practice facilities and budget travel between far-flung mini-tour outings. Possess reasonable expectations about likely earnings in your developmental phase. Supplement income through teaching or club pro roles initially.
- Once on tour, quickly acclimate to the deep fields where even Hall of Famers miss cuts regularly. Stay patient and focus inward rather than fixating on others’ successes. Trust your preparation and abilities. Consistent execution will bear fruit eventually.
- To retain status, understand every shot carries consequences for your career. Weigh risk-reward equations judiciously. Be a fierce competitor, but lose with grace and humility.
- Remember, fans relate more to players exhibiting positivity even during struggles rather than petulance when things go awry. Always conduct yourself professionally on and off the course, avoiding controversial statements or actions.
- Journeying to the PGA Tour takes immense commitment over the years. Earning even a brief membership is monumental, but staying requires continually fine-tuning your mental game. Also, resilience to persevere through golf’s inevitable adversities.