How To Get On The PGA Tour

Many golfers dream of strolling up to the 18th green at Augusta National and sinking a birdie putt to win the Masters. If only it were that easy. Before a golfer can play in the Masters, or any PGA golf tournament, he has to earn his PGA tour card. There are six ways for a golfer to earn a PGA tour card:

1. Finish in the top 25 at the PGA National Qualifying Tournament, more commonly referred to as Q-School
2. Finish in the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour money list for the year or win three Nationwide Tour tournaments in a season
3. Previously won a Major tournament
   
4. Previously won multiple tournaments on tour
5. Top 50 in lifetime career earnings
6. Golfers listed 126 to 150 on the PGA money list have conditional status

If a golfer is not currently on the Nationwide Tour, or has not previously won a tournament on the PGA tour, he must earn a PGA card  through the PGA National Qualifying Tournament, or Q-School. Q-School takes place in late fall at golf courses around the country. The fee to enter the tournament is $5,500. The entry fee and application gives a golfer the chance to play a pre-qualifying stage, plus 3 additional stages, with the hope of finishing in the top 25 in the final stage and earning a coveted PGA card. If a golfer finishes outside the top 25 in the final 108 holes, he will earn a chance to play on the Nationwide Tour.

Once a player earns a PGA card, he must be relatively successful on tour in order to keep it. Current PGA players must be in the top 125 on the money list in order to remain eligible. Winning a PGA tournament will give a golfer a 2-year exemption, while winning one of the four major tournaments (Masters, US Open, British Open, PGA Championship) will give a player a 10-year exemption.

A PGA Tour card is one of the most coveted possessions a golfer can have and also one of the most difficult to attain.

Reference:

www.pgatour.com