Miles Bennett
PGA Tour Champions is a men's professional senior golf tour open to golfers aged 50 and over. The tour was established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour. Most of the tournaments are played over three rounds (54 holes), which is one round fewer than regular professional stroke play tournaments. The tour includes five senior majors that are played over a full 72 holes (four rounds) with a 36-hole cut. The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, with a limited field of 36, was played over 72 holes with no cut until 2015, after which it was changed to 54 holes with no cut. The Charles Schwab Cup operates on a points system, with players qualifying based on money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | PGA Tour Champions |
| Formerly Known As | Senior PGA Tour and Champions Tour |
| Eligibility | Golfers aged 50 and above |
| Number of Tournaments | 26 |
| Number of Tournaments Outside the US | 3 |
| Number of Rounds | 3 (54 holes) |
| Number of Golfers | 81 |
| Exceptions | Senior majors have 4 rounds (72 holes) with a 36-hole cut |
| Season-Ending Championship | Charles Schwab Cup Championship |
| Number of Golfers in Season-Ending Championship | 36 |
| Points System | One point for every $1,000 won; majors count double |
| Playoff Style | Similar to FedEx Cup on the main PGA Tour |
| Number of Golfers in Playoffs | 72 |
| Use of Golf Carts | Allowed during most events |
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What You'll Learn
PGA Tour Champions history
PGA Tour Champions is a men's professional senior golf tour for golfers aged 50 and over. The tour was formally established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until October 2002. The idea for a senior tour emerged from a highly successful event in 1978, the Legends of Golf at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas, which featured some of the greatest older golfers of the day.
The Senior PGA Championship, founded in 1937, was for many years the only high-profile tournament for golfers over 50. The tour was renamed the Champions Tour through the 2015 season, after which it adopted its current name: PGA Tour Champions.
Of the 26 tournaments on the 2010 schedule, all but four were in the United States. The non-US tournaments were the Cap Cana Championship in the Dominican Republic, the Senior Open Championship in Scotland, and tournaments in Canada and South Africa. Most of the tournaments are played over three rounds (54 holes), which is one round fewer than regular professional stroke play tournaments on the PGA Tour. The five senior majors, however, have a full 72 holes (four rounds) with a 36-hole cut.
The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, with a limited field of 36, was played over 72 holes with no cut until 2015. Since 2016, it has been played over 54 holes with no cut. Through the 2015 season, the Charles Schwab Cup was a season-long points race, with points given to players who finished in the top 10. From the Cup's inception in 1990 through 2015, the top 30 players competed in the Championship, which was contested over four rounds, and where all contestants earned points. The top five finishers in the points race earned annuities.
In 2016, the format of the Charles Schwab Cup changed to a playoff-style format similar to that of the FedEx Cup on the main PGA Tour. Qualification for the playoffs is based on money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season. The top 72 players on the money list automatically qualify for the first playoff event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship. If golfers finish in the top 10 in the final non-playoff event, the SAS Championship, and are not in the top 72 on the money list entering the playoffs, they also receive a playoff place.
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Tournament format
The PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour) is a men's professional senior golf tour for golfers aged 50 and over. The tour was formally established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until October 2002. The tour was then renamed the Champions Tour through the 2015 season, after which the current name of "PGA Tour Champions" was adopted.
The PGA Tour Champions tournament format has evolved over the years, with 26 tournaments on the 2010 schedule, most of which were held in the United States. Here is a breakdown of the tournament format:
Number of Rounds
Most of the tournaments are played over three rounds (54 holes), which is one round fewer than regular professional stroke play tournaments on the PGA Tour. This format provides an exciting and concise competition, allowing golfers to showcase their skills and strategies.
Field Size and Cuts
The PGA Tour Champions tournaments typically feature smaller fields of around 81 golfers. Due to the smaller field size, there are generally no "cuts" between any of the rounds. This means that all participants play through all three rounds, ensuring a consistent and competitive environment throughout the tournament.
The Five Senior Majors
However, it is important to note that the five senior majors deviate from this format and are conducted over a full 72 holes (four rounds) with a 36-hole cut. This extended format for the senior majors increases the competitive depth and provides a more comprehensive assessment of the golfers' performances.
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship
The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship is a highlight of the PGA Tour Champions. From 1990 through 2015, this tournament featured the top 30 players and was played over four rounds (72 holes) with all contestants earning points. In 2016, a significant change was made, transitioning the format to a playoff-style 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 automatically advancing to the first playoff event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship.
Qualifying and Exemptions
The PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament plays a crucial role in determining participants for the main tour events. At the start of the season, the top five players from the previous year's Qualifying Tournament secure their spots. During July, the focus shifts to include all non-exempt players based on the season's money list. Additionally, the tournament accommodates previously exempt players coming off medical exemptions and showcases the top four players in their first two years of age eligibility with multiple PGA Tour wins. Sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifiers further contribute to the diverse field of competitors.
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Scoring system
The PGA Tour Championship is a golf tournament that is part of the PGA Tour and has historically been one of the final events of the PGA Tour season. The tournament has a unique scoring format with starting scores based on player rankings.
Prior to 2019, the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup Playoffs earned a spot in the Tour Championship. The event was played as a normal tournament, with all 30 players starting at even par, and the lowest 72-hole score winning the Tour Championship. However, the FedEx Cup was awarded separately, based on player points.
Since 2019, the Tour Championship winner has also been crowned the FedEx Cup champion. This change in format ensures that the winner of both competitions is the same person. Under the new scoring system, players are allocated a starting score based on their position in the FedEx Cup standings. The player with the most FedEx Cup points leading into the tournament starts at 10 under par, the player with the second-most points starts at 8 under par, the third at 7 under par, and so on, down to the players ranked 26 to 30 who start at even par.
After the starting scores, a normal 72-hole event is played, with the lowest score at the end winning both titles. Any starting scores in relation to par are discounted, meaning places and world ranking points are awarded based on aggregate scores over four rounds.
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Player qualification
PGA Tour Champions is a men's professional senior golf tour open to golfers aged 50 and over. The tour was established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until 2002.
There are several ways for players to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions:
- At the start of the season, the top 5 players from the previous year's PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament qualify, in order of finish.
- During July, this category changes to include all non-exempt players based on the season's money list.
- Previously exempt players coming off medical exemptions also qualify.
- The top four players in their first two years of age eligibility with multiple PGA Tour wins qualify.
- One spot is reserved for the highest finisher, not already exempt, within the top 10 of the previous week's tournament.
- There are up to 5 spots for sponsor's exemptions, but these spots may be reduced or eliminated if the previous categories fill out the field.
- There are also up to 4 spots for Monday qualifiers, which are also subject to reduction or elimination.
In addition, qualification for the playoffs is based on money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season. The top 72 players on the money list automatically qualify for the first playoff event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship. If one or more golfers finish in the top 10 of the final non-playoff event (the SAS Championship) and are not in the top 72 on the money list entering the playoffs, the highest finisher in the SAS Championship will also receive a playoff place.
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Charles Schwab Cup Championship
PGA Tour Champions is a men's professional senior golf tour, open to golfers aged 50 and over. The tour was established in 1980 and was originally known as the Senior PGA Tour until 2002. The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is a tournament within the PGA Tour Champions.
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is a season-ending tournament that has undergone several format changes over the years. Until 2015, the tournament was played over 72 holes with no cut and featured a limited field of 36 golfers. Since 2016, it has been played over 54 holes with no cut, similar to most other tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions.
The Charles Schwab Cup itself had been a season-long points race through the 2015 season. Points were awarded to players based on their performance and earnings throughout the PGA Tour Champions season. From the Cup's inception in 1990 until 2015, the top 30 players competed in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, where all contestants earned points. The top five finishers in the points race earned additional rewards.
In 2016, the format of the Charles Schwab Cup was significantly altered to resemble a playoff-style format akin to the FedEx Cup on the main PGA Tour. Qualification for the playoffs is determined by money earned during the PGA Tour Champions season. The top 72 players on the money list automatically advance to the first playoff event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship. Additionally, golfers with strong performances in the final non-playoff event, the SAS Championship, may also earn a playoff spot if they are not already among the top 72.
The playoffs utilise a points system, with players' initial points totals corresponding to their earnings for the season. During the first two playoff events, points are also allocated based on money earned, with each event winner receiving double points. The playoff field is gradually reduced, culminating in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship with a field of 36 players. Following the Dominion Charity Classic, the points are reset to ensure that each of the remaining players has an equal opportunity to win the Charles Schwab Cup.
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Frequently asked questions
The PGA Tour Champions (formerly the Senior PGA Tour and the Champions Tour) is a men's professional senior golf tour for golfers aged 50 and over.
Most of the tournaments are played over three rounds (54 holes), which is one round fewer than regular professional stroke play tournaments on the PGA Tour. The five senior majors, however, have a full 72 holes (four rounds) with a 36-hole cut.
There are various ways to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions. At the start of the season, five players from the previous year's Qualifying Tournament are included. During July, this category changes to include all non-exempt players based on the season's money list. Other ways to qualify include previous exempt players coming off medical exemptions, top four players in their first two years of age eligibility with multiple PGA Tour wins, and one spot for the highest finisher, not already exempt, within the top 10 of the previous week's tournament.
