Discover how the PGA Tour works, including The Players Championship, major championships, FedExCup Playoffs, and PGA Tour University.
Mon, May 25 2026
Discover how the PGA Tour works, including The Players Championship, major championships, FedExCup Playoffs, and PGA Tour University.
The Memorial Tournament Presented By Nationwide - Final Round
The world of professional golf revolves around the organization, PGA Tour, Professional golf, the premier stage where the best golfers compete for trophies, prize money, ranking points, and a place in history. From legendary tournaments like The Players Championship, Annual PGA Tour flagship to the season-ending , Tour Championship, the FedExCup Playoffs, the PGA Tour offers a year-long showcase of elite competition.
For golf fans, the Tour delivers some of the sport's most dramatic moments. For aspiring players, it represents the ultimate goal. This article explores how the PGA Tour works, the importance of its most prestigious tournaments, the role of the four major championships, and how young golfers can reach the highest level through programs such as PGA Tour University, College golf pathway program.
The PGA Tour is the leading professional golf tour for men, based primarily in the United States but featuring players from around the globe. It is separate from the PGA of America, American organization for golf professionals, which focuses on club professionals and organizes the PGA Championship, Men's major golf championship.
The modern PGA Tour became an independent organization in 1968 and has since grown into one of the most influential sports organizations in the world. The Tour's schedule includes: Weekly tournaments across iconic golf courses. Signature Events with limited elite fields. The four major championships. The FedExCup Playoffs. Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour and PGA Tour Americas, Professional golf tour in the Americas.
While the four major championships receive the most attention, several PGA Tour tournaments carry exceptional prestige and are often considered career-defining victories.
The Players Championship
The Players Championship is widely known as the "fifth major." Held each March at TPC Sawgrass, Golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, this tournament features arguably the strongest field in golf because nearly every top-ranked player is eligible.
Main Pathway to the PGA Tour
Become a High-Level Competitive Golfer. Build a strong tournament résumé by competing in: Junior championships. College golf (especially NCAA programs). National amateur tournaments. Regional and international professional events. Many PGA Tour stars, such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, developed through elite amateur competition.
Turn Professional. After deciding to compete professionally, you can enter qualifying events and mini tours.
Earn Status on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Korn Ferry Tour is the primary feeder tour. Players gain entry through: PGA Tour Q-School. Strong performances on developmental tours. Sponsor exemptions.
Finish High Enough on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List. Top performers receive PGA Tour membership for the following season.
How Players Qualify for the PGA Tour
Earning a PGA Tour card requires world-class ability and years of competitive development.
Traditional Pathway. Junior golf à College golf or elite amateur competition à Turn professional à Compete on mini tours à Advance through qualifying stages à Earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour à Perform well enough to secure PGA Tour membership.
The PGA Tour University, College golf pathway program provides top NCAA Division I golfers with a direct route to professional golf. The PGA Tour University (often called “PGA Tour U”) is a program created by the PGA Tour to help the best NCAA Division I men’s golfers transition directly from college to professional golf.
Launched in 2020, PGA Tour University ranks top college golfers and awards membership on PGA Tour-affiliated tours based on their performance over the final two years of college competition, in partnership with the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Players earn points from: NCAA Division I men’s team events. Select professional tournaments. Certain international events approved by the program. The ranking focuses on a player’s most recent two years of collegiate results.
At the end of the college season, the top-ranked players receive:
No. 1 Ranked Player
Players Ranked No. 2–10
Players Ranked No. 11–25
These players also receive qualifying exemptions into PGA Tour Q-School. This special pathway allows elite freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to earn a PGA Tour card early by accumulating 20 points through exceptional achievements such as: Reaching No. 1 in WAGR. Winning major amateur awards. Performing well in PGA Tour events. Representing their country in major team competitions. Luke Clanton and Gordon Sargent are among the most prominent players associated with this pathway.
Notable Alumni - Successful PGA Tour University graduates include: Ludvig Åberg. Michael Thorbjornsen. David Ford. These players moved quickly from college golf into top professional tours.
The program: Rewards college golfers for staying in school. Provides a transparent route to professional golf. Reduces uncertainty and costs associated with traditional qualifying. Gives top amateur players immediate access to higher-level competition.
Eligibility Requirements. To participate, players generally must: Compete in NCAA Division I men’s golf. Meet academic and athletic eligibility standards. Complete the required college progression criteria
PGA Tour University is one of the most important developments in modern golf. It offers outstanding college golfers a direct and merit-based path to the PGA Tour and its developmental tours, helping talented players launch professional careers more efficiently than ever before. PGA Tour University reduces the uncertainty of turning professional and rewards sustained excellence in college golf.
Exceptional Amateur Performance
Winning major amateur championships can lead to sponsor exemptions into PGA Tour events. DP World Tour and Other International Tours. Players can qualify through tours such as the DP World Tour and eventually earn PGA Tour membership.
Typical Career Progression: Junior golf à College or elite amateur golf à Turn professional à Mini tours à Q-School à Korn Ferry Tour à PGA Tour.
Successful PGA Tour players typically: Shoot consistently under par on championship courses. Compete well under pressure. Maintain elite fitness and mental discipline. Have strong coaching and support teams. Pursuing professional golf can require substantial investment for: Coaching. Tournament entry fees. Travel and lodging. Equipment. Fitness and sports psychology. Annual costs can range from several thousand to well over six figures depending on schedule and support.
For elite players, the journey often takes: 8–15+ years of development. Several seasons on developmental tours. To reach the PGA Tour, you must become one of the best golfers in the world. The most common route is to excel in amateur golf, turn professional, earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour, and perform well enough to secure your PGA Tour card. Winning The Players Championship is often considered the greatest achievement outside the four majors.
Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, PGA Tour event in Orlando honors the legacy of golf legend, Arnold Palmer, American professional golfer. Played at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Golf resort in Orlando, Florida, the event is known for demanding course conditions and a limited field. The winner receives a red cardigan sweater in tribute to Palmer's iconic style.
Notable Champions
The Four Major Championships
The most important tournaments in golf are the four major championships. Winning even one major can define a player's career.
Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament, Men's major championship at Augusta National is played every April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The champion receives the legendary Green Jacket.
PGA Championship
Organized by the PGA of America, PGA Championship, Men's major golf championship rewards excellence on some of the toughest championship venues in the United States.
U.S. Open
U.S. Open, Men's major golf championship organized by the USGA is known for punishing rough, narrow fairways, and extremely fast greens.
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, Men's major golf championship organized by The R&A is the oldest major in golf and is contested on historic links courses across the United Kingdom.
FedExCup and the PGA Tour Playoffs
Throughout the season, players earn points in the FedExCup, Season-long championship of the PGA Tour race. At the end of the regular season, the top players advance to a three-event playoff series.
FedEx St. Jude Championship
FedEx St. Jude Championship, First event of the FedExCup Playoffs is played at TPC Southwind, Golf course in Memphis, Tennessee. Top 70 players qualify. No cut. Determines which players advance to the next stage. First event of the FedExCup Playoffs. Typically held in August. Played at TPC Southwind in Memphis. Features the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings. No cut; all qualified players compete for four rounds. This tournament determines which players advance to the next playoff event. Only the top 50 in the standings after this event move on to the BMW Championship. The purse is among the largest on the PGA Tour, and players earn substantial FedExCup points.
Notable Winners: Justin Rose. Tony Finau. Lucas Glover
BMW Championship
BMW Championship, Second event of the FedExCup Playoffs features the top 50 players. After this tournament, only the top 30 players in the standings move on to the Tour Championship. Second playoff event. Limited to the top 50 players after the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Rotates among leading courses across the United States. No cut. This event determines the top 30 players who qualify for the Tour Championship. The tournament is sponsored by BMW. Notable Venues: Olympia Fields Country Club. Castle Pines Golf Club. Caves Valley Golf Club. Memorable Moments: Tiger Woods has won the event multiple times. Viktor Hovland delivered one of the strongest closing performances in recent playoff history.
Tour Championship
The Tour Championship of the FedExCup Playoffs is held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The winner captures the FedExCup title and one of the largest bonus payouts in professional sports. Final event of the PGA Tour season. Played at East Lake Golf Club. Restricted to the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings
Players begin the tournament at staggered scores based on their FedExCup ranking: No. 1 starts at −10. No. 2 at −8. No. 3 at −7. No. 4 at −6. No. 5 at −5. Ranked 6–10 at −4 to −2. Ranked 11–30 at even par to −1. The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes wins both the Tour Championship and the FedExCup. The FedExCup champion receives one of the largest bonus payouts in golf.
Legendary Champions: Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler
Major Championships
The four majors are considered the most prestigious tournaments in professional golf. Winning a major is one of the sport’s greatest achievements.
Masters Tournament. Held every April at Augusta National Golf Club. Winner receives the Green Jacket. Invitation-only field.
PGA Championship. Organized by the PGA of America. Typically held in May. Played on premier U.S. courses.
U.S. Open. Organized by the United States Golf Association. Known for difficult course setups.
The Open Championship. The oldest major, first played in 1860. Organized by The R&A. Played on historic links courses in the United Kingdom.
The Players Championship
Often called the “fifth major,” The Players Championship is the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament and one of the most important events in golf. First played in 1974. Conducted every March. Hosted at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Organized directly by the PGA Tour. Features one of the strongest fields in golf.
Signature Feature: The 17th Hole. The island-green par-3 17th at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most recognizable holes in the sport. Its small target and surrounding water create dramatic moments every year.
Purse and Prestige. The Players Championship traditionally offers one of the largest prize purses in professional golf and awards significant FedExCup points.
Notable Champions: Jack Nicklaus. Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler. Winning The Players Championship is often considered the most prestigious accomplishment outside the four major championships.
Arnold Palmer Invitational. This tournament honors the legacy of legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and is one of the PGA Tour’s most respected invitational events.
Established in 1966. Played annually in March. Hosted at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando. Limited field with stricter qualification criteria.
Course Characteristics. Bay Hill is known for: Thick rough. Water hazards. Fast Bermuda greens. Demanding finishing holes.
Signature Tradition. The champion receives the iconic red cardigan sweater in tribute to Arnold Palmer.
Notable Winners: Tiger Woods (record multiple victories). Rory McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler. Players view Bay Hill as one of the toughest and most respected regular-season tests.
Memorial Tournament
Memorial Tournament, PGA Tour event hosted by Jack Nicklaus was founded by Jack Nicklaus, American professional golfer. It is played at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Golf club in Dublin, Ohio and is regarded as one of the toughest and most respected stops on the Tour. Hosted by one of golf's greatest champions. Demands complete control from tee to green. Carries major-like prestige
Founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, this event is one of the most tradition-rich tournaments on the PGA Tour. First held in 1976. Played annually in early June. Hosted at Muirfield Village Golf Club near Columbus. Limited invitational field. Muirfield Village demands: Accurate iron play. Strategic course management. Strong putting. Each year, the tournament honors a distinguished figure in golf.
Notable Winners: Tiger Woods (record multiple victories). Patrick Cantlay. Scottie Scheffler. The Memorial is often viewed as a major-caliber event because of its elite field and demanding course.
Genesis Invitational
Genesis Invitational, PGA Tour event hosted in California traces its roots to the historic Los Angeles Open. Traditionally held at The Riviera Country Club, Golf club in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles and hosted by Tiger Woods, it combines rich history with one of the finest course designs in golf. Famous drivable 10th hole. Strategic bunkering. Kikuyu rough and poa annua greens. A victory at Riviera is considered one of the most respected accomplishments in professional golf.
This iconic tournament is hosted by Tiger Woods and is one of the PGA Tour’s premier West Coast events. Originated in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open. Traditionally held in February. Played at The Riviera Country Club. Sponsored by Genesis Motor.
Riviera is regarded as one of the finest venues in professional golf, featuring: Strategic bunkering. Kikuyu rough. Fast poa annua greens. The famous drivable 10th hole
Notable Winners: Ben Hogan. Phil Mickelson. Jon Rahm. The tournament combines historic prestige, a world-class venue, and one of the strongest fields of the season.
Young stars such as Akshay Bhatia, American professional golfer and Nick Dunlap, American professional golfer are shaping the next era. The PGA Tour stands at the center of professional golf because it combines: Legendary venues. Historic tournaments. The world's best players. Intense competition. Enormous prize money. Compelling storylines from January through August. Every week offers new opportunities for players to rise, establish their careers, and create unforgettable moments.
Programs such as PGA Tour University have made the dream of reaching the PGA Tour more transparent and achievable for talented players around the world. The PGA Tour is much more than a collection of golf tournaments. It is a complete ecosystem that rewards skill, consistency, resilience, and excellence.
From prestigious events such as The Players Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial Tournament, and the Genesis Invitational to the four major championships and the FedExCup Playoffs, every tournament contributes to a larger story.
For aspiring golfers, the path to the Tour may begin in junior events, continue through college golf, and accelerate through PGA Tour University. For fans, it offers a year-round spectacle featuring the greatest players and the most celebrated courses in the world.
Whether you dream of becoming a professional golfer or simply enjoy watching the game's finest competitors, the PGA Tour represents the pinnacle of achievement in modern golf.
