Harper Lin
Senior golf tours, such as the PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour), are professional golf tours open to golfers aged 50 and above. The idea for a senior tour emerged from the successful 1978 Legends of Golf event in Austin, Texas, which featured two-member teams of renowned older golfers. The senior tour was officially established in 1980 and has since undergone several name changes. While the senior tour provides opportunities for older golfers, there is no upper age limit for participation, as long as players remain competitively capable. Senior golfers can also choose to participate in both senior and regular PGA tours, allowing them to balance their performance and earning potential across different tournaments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Senior Golf Tour | PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour) |
| Age Requirement | 50 years and above |
| Upper Age Limit | None |
| Number of Tournaments | 26 |
| Location of Tournaments | United States, Dominican Republic, Scotland, Canada, and South Korea |
| Prize Money | $51.5 million over 26 tournaments, with a record average purse of $1.98 million per event |
| Playoff Format | Similar to the FedEx Cup on the main PGA Tour |
| Number of Players Qualifying for Playoffs | Top 72 players on the money list |
| Playoff Events | PowerShares QQQ Championship, Dominion Charity Classic |
| Number of Players in Dominion Charity Classic | 54 |
| Number of Players in Charles Schwab Cup Championship | 36 |
| Use of Golf Carts | Allowed during most events, excluding major championships and certain other events |
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What You'll Learn
Senior golfers must be 50+
The idea for a senior golf tour was conceived in 1978 after the Legends of Golf competition, which featured some of the best older golfers at the time. The tour was officially established in 1980 and was originally called the Senior PGA Tour. In 2002, it was renamed the Champions Tour, and in 2015, it was renamed the PGA Tour Champions.
Senior golfers must be 50 or older to participate in the senior PGA Tour. This age limit allows senior golfers to continue playing at a high level in professional golf tournaments. There is no upper age limit, and as long as a player is good enough, they can compete with the top players.
To play in the Legends Tour, also known as the European Senior Tour, golfers must also be 50 or older. This tour is part of the PGA European Tour and is open to the best golfers in Europe who want to continue competing at a high level.
Senior golfers who are 50 or older are eligible to play in the PGA Tour alongside the PGA Tour Champions. Qualifying for the Champions Tour starts at various regional sites across the United States, with 78 golfers competing in each 72-hole tournament. The top five players in the final round earn a Senior PGA Tour card that exempts them from the Champions Tour.
While there is no age requirement for playing from senior tees, they are typically designed for golfers aged 55 and over. Senior tees are often shorter in distance from the hole and have wider fairways and larger greens, making the game more accessible for older golfers.
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No upper age limit
The Senior PGA Tour, now known as the PGA Tour Champions, is a professional golf tour for men aged 50 and above. There is no upper age limit for senior golfers, meaning that players can compete well into their senior years, as long as they are good enough to play.
The idea for a senior golf tour emerged from a successful event in 1978, the Legends of Golf at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas. This event featured a competition between two-member teams of some of the greatest older golfers at the time. The Legends Tour, also known as the European Senior Tour, was established in 1992 and is open to golfers aged 50 and above who want to continue competing at a high level.
The Senior PGA Tour was formally established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until 2002. It was then renamed the Champions Tour through the 2015 season before adopting its current name, PGA Tour Champions. The tour includes a range of tournaments, with a minimum official prize money of $51.5 million across 26 tournaments, offering a lucrative opportunity for senior golfers.
While there is no upper age limit, senior golfers must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in the PGA Tour Champions. These requirements include various criteria such as past performance, rankings, and exemptions. The qualifying process for the Champions Tour is quite challenging, with regional and final qualifying stages involving 72-hole tournaments.
Senior golfers who have achieved notable success in their careers and maintained their skills can take advantage of the absence of an upper age limit in senior golf tours. This allows them to extend their competitive careers and continue showcasing their talents on the golf course.
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Senior PGA Championship
The Senior PGA Championship, founded in 1937, was for many years the only high-profile tournament for golfers over 50. The idea for a senior tour was born out of the 1978 Legends of Golf tournament at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas, which featured two-member teams of some of the greatest older golfers of the day. The Senior PGA Championship is one of the major championships in men's senior golf and is managed by the Professional Golfers Association of America.
The senior tour was formally established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until October 2002. The tour was renamed the Champions Tour through the 2015 season, and then became the PGA Tour Champions. The tour includes 26 tournaments, most of which take place in the United States, with some international tournaments in the Dominican Republic, Scotland, Canada, and South Korea.
To participate in the Senior PGA Tour, players must be aged 50 or older, and there is no upper age limit as long as they are good enough to play. Qualifying for the Champions Tour involves a tough process, with regional sites across the United States where 78 golfers compete in each 72-hole tournament. Successful participants move on to the final qualifying round, which includes exempt players who were exempt from regional play due to their previous success on certain tours.
The Senior PGA Championship has been a significant tournament for veteran golfers, providing an opportunity for older golfers to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. It has also contributed to the growth of senior golf tours and the expansion of competitive golf for golfers over 50.
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Legends of Golf
The idea for a senior golf tour emerged from the Legends of Golf tournament at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas, in 1978. The Legends of Golf featured competition between two-member teams of some of the greatest older golfers of the day. The success of this event inspired the formation of the Senior PGA Tour in 1980, which was renamed the PGA Tour Champions in 2015.
The Legends of Golf tournament has undergone several format changes throughout its history. In its final years, it consisted of two separate events: the Champions Division (age 50-65) and the Legends Division (age 65+). The Champions Division was a 67-hole event, while the Legends Division was a 58-hole event. Prior to this, from 2002 to 2013, the tournament consisted of three separate events: the Legends Division, the Raphael Division, and the Demaret Division. The Legends Division was a 54-hole two-man team event for men over 50, while the Raphael Division and the Demaret Division were 36-hole two-man team events for men in different age groups (50-69 and over 70, respectively). From 2014 to 2016, the tournament was held over 54 holes, with one round at Buffalo Ridge and four nine-hole rounds at Top of the Rock.
The purse for the 2019 Legends of Golf tournament was $1.8 million, with $171,000 going to each member of the winning team. The tournament has been played in various locations since its founding, and its format has evolved over time.
The Legends Tour, also known as the European Senior Tour, is a separate entity that was established in 1992. This tour is part of the PGA European Tour and is open to golfers aged 50 and over who are among the best in Europe and wish to continue competing at a high level.
The Legends Golf Club is a dedicated venue honouring iconic golfers who have made significant contributions to the sport throughout history. Each hole at The Legends Golf Club is named after a legendary golfer, including pioneers like Old Tom Morris and Harry Vardon, who overcame challenging circumstances to achieve greatness in the sport.
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PGA Tour Champions
The idea for a senior golf tour emerged from the Legends of Golf tournament in 1978, which featured two-member teams of renowned older golfers. The Senior PGA Championship, founded in 1937, was the sole prominent tournament for golfers over 50 for many years.
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the season-ending event, was played over 72 holes with no cut until 2015. Since 2016, it has been contested over 54 holes without a cut. The format of the Charles Schwab Cup was also changed in 2016 to a playoff-style format, similar to the FedEx Cup on the main PGA Tour. Qualification for the playoffs is based on money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season, with the top 72 players on the money list qualifying for the PowerShares QQQ Championship.
The PGA Tour Champions include various tournaments, such as the American Family Insurance Championship, which was held in 2025 at TPC Wisconsin.
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Frequently asked questions
The duration of senior golf tours varies depending on the specific tournament and format. For example, the PGA Tour Champions consist of 26 tournaments, while other senior tours may have a different number of events.
To participate in senior golf tours, such as the PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour), players must be aged 50 or older. There is no upper age limit as long as the player meets the qualifying criteria and is physically able to compete.
Yes, golfers are allowed to participate in both regular PGA tournaments and senior tours. Senior golfers who are still competitive and meet the qualifying criteria can choose to compete in both tours. However, the senior tours typically have fewer events and lower prize money compared to the regular PGA Tour.
