Trevor Ng
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental golf tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. It features professional golfers who have not yet reached the PGA Tour or who have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their status. The tour offers Official World Golf Ranking points, and since 1997, any player who wins three tournaments in a year is promoted to the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the following year. The vast majority of Korn Ferry Tour tournaments take place in the mainland United States, although in recent years, the tour has expanded to include events in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Tour | Developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour |
| Participants | Professional golfers who haven't reached the PGA Tour or failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their status |
| Qualification | Top 30 golfers on the money list at the end of the year receive PGA Tour memberships for the following season |
| History | Established in 1989 as the "satellite tour" and formalised in 1990 as the Ben Hogan Tour; renamed the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019 |
| Sponsorship | Sponsored by Korn Ferry, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm since 2019 |
| Location | Primarily hosted in the mainland United States, with previous tournaments in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada |
| Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) Points | Winners earn OWGR points, with values ranging from 10.14 to 15.31 in 2023 and 11.08 to 14.63 in 2024 |
| Players Championship Entrants | Provides up to two entrants for the following year's Players Championship based on money list rankings |
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What You'll Learn
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the PGA Tour
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. It was originally named the Ben Hogan Tour in 1990, sponsored by the Ben Hogan Golf Company. The Korn Ferry Tour features professional golfers who have not yet reached the PGA Tour or who have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their status. The top 30 golfers on the money list at the end of the year are awarded PGA Tour memberships for the following season.
Since 2013, the Korn Ferry Tour has been the primary route for golfers to earn their PGA Tour card. The Korn Ferry Tour now also provides up to two entrants for the following year's Players Championship. One invitation is extended to the player who tops the money list for the entire season, and another to the golfer who earns the most during the Finals.
The Korn Ferry Tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. From 2006 until August 2022, the winner earned a minimum of 14 points (provided at least 54 holes were played) and 20 for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Since 1997, a player who wins three tournaments in one year on the Korn Ferry Tour receives an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder of the year and the following year.
The majority of Korn Ferry Tour tournaments have been hosted in the mainland United States. However, the tour has also included events in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The 2025 Korn Ferry Tour schedule will feature 26 tournaments across seven countries and 17 states, including the Bahamas, Mexico, and the United States.
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It offers a pathway to earn PGA Tour cards
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and it offers a pathway to earn PGA Tour cards. It features professional golfers who have not yet reached the PGA Tour or who have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their PGA Tour status. The Korn Ferry Tour has been the primary pathway for golfers seeking to earn PGA Tour cards since the 2013 season.
The Korn Ferry Tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, and players who win three tournaments in one year on the tour receive an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the following year. The Korn Ferry Tour Championship, presented by United Leasing & Finance, concludes the season, with 20 PGA Tour cards awarded at the end of the tournament. The Korn Ferry Tour Points List determines the 20 players who earn PGA Tour membership for the following season.
The Korn Ferry Tour Finals is a four-event series held during the main tour's FedEx Cup playoffs, with at least 150 players eligible to compete. The Korn Ferry Tour Finals awarded 16 points to the winner starting in 2013. A total of 50 PGA Tour cards for the following season are awarded at the end of the Finals, with 25 going to the top regular-season money winners on the Korn Ferry Tour and the remaining 25 determined by total money earned.
The Korn Ferry Tour now provides up to two entrants in the following year's Players Championship. One invitation is extended to the player who tops the money list for the entire season, including the Finals. The golfer who earns the most during the Finals also receives an invitation. If the same player leads both money lists, only one invitation is given.
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It offers Official World Golf Ranking points
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, featuring professional golfers who have not yet reached the PGA Tour or who have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their status. The Korn Ferry Tour offers players a pathway to earn their PGA Tour card and develop their game to compete on golf's biggest stage.
One of the key aspects of the Korn Ferry Tour is that it offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. This provides golfers with an opportunity to accumulate points and improve their world ranking. From 2006 until August 2022, the OWGR points system awarded a minimum of 14 points to the winner of a regular tournament (with at least 54 holes played) and 20 points for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The other events of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals offered 16 points to the winner. However, with the change in the OWGR system in 2022, there are no longer minimum points awarded for any tour.
In 2023, the winner's points ranged from 10.14 to 15.31, with an average of 13.05. This changed slightly in 2024, with the winner's points ranging from 11.08 to 14.63 and an average of 13.13. It is important to note that tournaments shortened to 36 holes are considered unofficial and are given reduced points values. Additionally, since 1997, a player who wins three tournaments in one year on the Korn Ferry Tour receives an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the following year.
The Korn Ferry Tour has been instrumental in providing golfers with an avenue to pursue their PGA Tour ambitions. By offering OWGR points, the tour not only contributes to a player's world ranking but also acts as a platform for golfers to showcase their talent and earn their place on the prestigious PGA Tour. This aspect of the Korn Ferry Tour is particularly valuable for up-and-coming golfers striving to make their mark in the sport.
The vast majority of Korn Ferry Tour tournaments have been hosted within the mainland United States. However, the tour has also expanded internationally, reaching countries such as Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The tour's sponsorship deals, such as with Nationwide Insurance and Web.com, have also contributed to its growth and exposure.
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It provides entrants to the Players Championship
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. It features professional golfers who have not yet reached the PGA Tour or who have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their status. The Korn Ferry Tour has served as a path to the PGA Tour since its inception. It awards PGA Tour cards based on its points list, with the No. 1 player earning exemptions into the following year's Players Championship and U.S. Open.
The Korn Ferry Tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. From 2006 until August 2022, the winner earned a minimum of 14 points, provided at least 54 holes were played, and 20 for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Starting in 2013, the other events of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals awarded 16 points to the winner. With the change in the OWGR system, there is no minimum number of points for any tour. In 2023, the winner's points ranged from 10.14 to 15.31, averaging 13.05. In 2024, the winner's points ranged from 11.08 to 14.63, with an average of 13.13.
Since 1997, a player who wins three tournaments in one year on the Korn Ferry Tour receives an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the following year. The Korn Ferry Tour now provides up to two entrants in the following year's Players Championship. One invitation is extended to the player who tops the money list for the entire season, including the Finals. The golfer who earns the most during the Finals also receives an invitation. If the same player leads both money lists, only one invitation is given.
The Korn Ferry Tour has been the primary pathway for those seeking to earn their PGA Tour card since the 2013 season. Q-School, which was previously the primary route to the PGA Tour, has been converted into an entryway to the Korn Ferry Tour. The vast majority of Korn Ferry Tour tournaments have been hosted within the mainland United States. In 1993, the tour expanded beyond those boundaries for the first time with the Monterrey Open in Mexico. The tour has also visited Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Panama, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.
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Tournaments are mostly hosted in mainland USA
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. It is owned and operated by the PGA Tour and identifies and develops players ready to compete and win in major golf tournaments. The tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, and winners can earn between 10 and 20 points per tournament.
Since it began in 1990, the vast majority of Korn Ferry tournaments have been hosted in mainland USA. The tour did expand beyond the USA in 1993, with the Monterrey Open in Mexico, which was an annual fixture until 2001. The tour has also included events in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Despite these forays abroad, the Korn Ferry Tour remains predominantly a USA-based tour, providing a pathway for golfers seeking to earn their PGA Tour card. The top 30 golfers on the money list at the end of the year are given PGA Tour memberships for the following season.
With its focus on developing talent and its strong presence in the USA, the Korn Ferry Tour plays a crucial role in nurturing professional golfers in the country and providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and advance their careers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Korn Ferry Tour is a developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. It features professional golfers who are either aiming to reach the PGA Tour or have failed to win enough FedEx Cup points to maintain their PGA status.
The tour is open to golfers who have not earned enough status on the PGA Tour. Until 2012, golfers could qualify by finishing in the top 50 at qualifying school, finishing between 26th and 60th on the previous year's money list, or placing between 126th and 150th on the PGA Tour money list.
The Korn Ferry Tour provides Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. From 2006 until August 2022, winners earned a minimum of 14 points, and 20 points for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Since 1997, a player who wins three tournaments in a year on the Korn Ferry Tour receives an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder and the following year.
Golfers who finish in the top 30 of the money list at the end of the year are awarded PGA Tour memberships for the next season. The Korn Ferry Tour also provides up to two entrants into the following year's Players Championship.
The majority of tournaments are hosted within mainland United States. However, the tour has expanded to include events in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
