what is pga champions tour

What is the PGA Tour Champions?

Learn the similarities and differences between the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions

• DESCRIPTION Bernhard Langer, the champions tour money leader
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The PGA Tour Champions, commonly known as the Champions Tour, is the PGA Tour's professional senior tour, where the best golfers aged 50 and above compete.

Champions Tour Qualifying

In general, qualifying for PGA Tour Champions events is restricted to those players who finished in the top 50 of last year's competition and those age eligible players who are in the top 70 of the all-time money list from PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions events.

In addition, exemptions are given to members of the World Golf Hall of Fame and winners of previous PGA Tour Champions events. As with PGA Tour events, sponsors are also allowed to bring a small number of golfer's into a given event.

A select number of spots in Champions Tour events are also up for grabs each week through Monday qualifying , similar to other professional tours.

History of the Champions Tour

While senior golf tournaments, like the Senior PGA Championship, have been around since 1937, a formal PGA Tour for seniors was not established until 1980. Don January and Arnold Palmer were the tour’s first two winners.

The idea for a senior tour grew out of the highly successful 1978 Legends of Golf tournament at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas. The event featured competition from some of the greatest senior golfers at the time who competed in teams of two.

From 1980 until 2002, the tour was known as the Senior PGA Tour before transitioning to the Champions Tour until the latest name change to PGA Tour Champions in 2016.

A typical seasons on the Champions Tour consists of 26 events, mostly in the United States.

PGA Tour & Champions Tour Differences

While sharing many similarities with the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champions has several differences.

One difference is the allowance of golf carts at some events. Most of the events take place over three rounds  with 54 holes and no cut instead of four rounds totalling 72 holes with a 36-hole cut on the PGA Tour.

While there are seldom cuts in the PGA Tour Champions events, three of the five senior majors play a standard four-round, 72 hole tournament with a 36-hole cut.

Senior Majors

Just like the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champions has its own series of major championships. The senior majors include The Tradition, the Senior PGA Championship, the Senior Players Championship, the U.S. Senior Open, and The Senior Open Championship.

Charles Schwab Cup

Each year, the tour ends in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final tournament in a three-tournament play-off series mirrored after the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup.

The Charles Schwab Cup began in 1990 and took its current format in 2016, when the tour moved to a playoff format, and the top 72 players on the money list automatically qualify for the first playoff event.

There is also a Wildcard Weekend the week prior to the playoffs at the SAS Championship which allows for one player who finishes in the top 10 that week, but is outside the money list’s top 72, to advance to the playoffs.

The first playoff event is the Dominion Energy Charity Classic event at Richmond’s Country Club of Virginia James River Course. The second event is the Simmons Bank Championship at Pleasant Valley CC in Little Rock Arkansas, and the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event, takes place at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

Champions Tour All-Time Money List

Since the PGA Tour Champions inception in 1980, the circuit continues to grow. Lee Trevino became the first senior tour winner to win $1 million in 1990.

Hale Irwin is the winningest golfer in Champions history with 45 victories, but isn’t at the top of the all-time money winner list. There have been six golfers to surpass the $15 million mark, three have surpassed the $20 million and one player, Bernhard Langer, has made more than $30 million dollars.

As of the finish of the 2023 season, here are the top 10 PGA Tour of Champions All-time Money winners.

Image: Quinn Harris/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

PGA TOUR Champions 2024 Schedule + Tournament Details

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Table of Contents

The PGA Tour Champions starts in January with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and concludes in November with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

The PGA senior tour schedule 2024 provides every tournament’s details, venue information, purse, and past winners. Bettors will want to follow this guide closely to gain inside information on the course and players to watch .

PGA Tour Champions Schedule 2024

Pga tour champions tournament details, mitsubishi electric championship.

Tournament History

Originally named the MONY Tournament of Champions, the event was played in California, Mexico, and Puerto Rico before finding a stable home in Hawaii. The inaugural tournament took off in 1984 when Orville Moody claimed a 7-stroke win over Dan Sikes.

Since then, the name has changed on eight occasions, with the current title sponsor, Mitsubishi, the longest-serving partner. The lush fairway and ocean backdrop of Haualalai golf club has been on the Senior PGA Tour schedule since 2006.

The Kona-based golf course is a par 72 design and measures 7,117 yards off the back tees on an average day.

⛳️ Fun Fact: When Senior Golf Source polled the PGA Tour Champions caddies, this was their favorite location, with Pebble Beach in a close second.

Chubb Classic

The Chubb Classic debuted in 1988 as the Aetna Challenge and was played at The Club at Pelican Bay until 1990. Gary Player , a fellow citizen of South Africa (like me), won the 1988 edition. And another compatriot, Harold Henning, finished second in the 1989 vintage, two strokes behind Gene Littler.

The tournament has featured at 12 golf courses since its inception, with the latest change in 2021. The organizers switched the venue to the Tiburon Black Course, designed by Australian Greg Norman. The Tiburon Black course is a par 72 layout reaching 6,945 yards off the back tees.

Our team particularly loves this course in Naples because of its idyllic location near beaches and plenty of sunshine in southwest Florida. However, be prepared; the Ritz Carlton is on the property, and staying here tends to come at a hefty price.

Trophy Hassan II

The Trophy Hassan II tournament is older than the PGA Tour Champions itself. The first event teed off in 1971, called the Moroccan Grand Prix, which saw Orville Moody defeat Jerry Heard by 2 strokes.

Prince Moulay Rachid hosts the event in honor of his father, Hassan II, and it is played at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The tournament was removed from the schedule between 1986 to 1990 but returned in 1991 when Vijay Singh defeated the late Payne Stewart in a playoff.

The Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is situated on a 440-hectare estate, winding through cork oak forests, and is littered with lakes and bunkers.

Cologuard Classic

The Cologuard Classic is the third event on the annual calendar and is one of the newest editions of the Tour. It was launched in 2015 at the Omni Tucson National in Arizona as the Tuscon Conquistadores Classic. The name changed to its current form in 2018.

Marco Dawson is the first name on the silverware after bagging the inaugural title in 2015 by 2 strokes over Barty Bryant. The Omni Tucson National reaches 7,328 yards off the back tees with a total par rating of 73.

Hoag Classic

The first tee shot in the Hoag Classic was struck in 1995, but back then was known as the Toshiba Senior Classic. The name remained in 2005 when “senior” was dropped from the title and became the Toshiba Classic. Toshiba continued as the title sponsor until 2018 when Hoag took over.

The William F. Bell designed Newport Beach Country Club is the host golf course and has set the stage for several fierce battles since its inception. Bob Murphy and Jay Sigel entered the record books in 1997 when the duo went 9 holes in a playoff before the winner was decided.

Newport Country Club is a par 72 golf course which is not as long as some on tour, measuring 6618 yards off the Championship tees.

The Galleri Classic

The Galleri Classic entered the Tour Champions fray in 2023, holding its first outing at the Dinah Shore course at the Mission Hills Country Club, Coachella Valley, California. The Par 72 golf course played 7,112 yards for the Galleri on average.

David Toms surged to victory in the inaugural version of this tournament played in 2023, beating Steven Alker by 4 shots.

Invited Celebrity Classic

Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, hosted the ClubCorp Classic in 2022, adding a new event to the Tour schedule. The event name changed to the Invited Celebrity Classic after the company rebranding in 2022.

The course measures 6973 yards off the black tees, and 71 is a par score. Scott Parel from Michigan was the first to get his hands on the trophy in the 2022 edition. Mark Hensby from Australia took the second iteration of the event in 2023 with a 54-hole score of 12 under par.

Mitsubishi Electric Classic

The PGA Tour Champions made the Mitsubishi Electric Classic a reality in 2013. However, its original title was the Greater Gwinnett Championship. Bernhard Langer won the inaugural event in 2013 by 3 strokes over Tom Lehman and Tom Pernice Jr.

TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia, has put on the spectacle since it teed off over a decade ago. The 27-hole facility was designed by “The Great White Shark,” Greg Norman. The Stables/ Meadows are the usual combination for tournament events, but it may change depending on the years.

The Meadows and Stables 18-hole combination totals 7322 yards off the back tees and is a par 72 layout.

Insperity Invitational

The Insperity Invitational has cemented its place as a mainstay on the annual sporting calendar in Houston. It started in 2004 as the Administaff Small Business Classic and immediately entertained us. Larry Nelson crawled his way back from 7 shots down to force a playoff with Hale Irwin.

Nelson bagged the title, and the tournament holds firm two decades on. Since Administaff changed their name in 2008, the event is now the Insperity Invitational. It was initially played at Augusta Pines, Texas, but is now hosted by The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course.

The par 72 Tournament Course at Woodlands Country Club extends 7025 yards off the back tee. John Daly set the par 3 16th alight in the 1994 Shell Houston Open when he pured a 6 iron off the tee and drained the shot for a memorable ace.

Principal Charity Classic

The Principal Charity Classic resumes regulation tour play in June after back-to-back Majors in May. Des Moines, Iowa, has welcomed professionals with open arms since the event commenced in 2001 as the Allianz Championship.

Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines hosted the inaugural showing of the Principal Charity Classic. It moved twice between 2001 and 2012 before finding solace at the Wakonda Club, which has held the Classic since 2013. Wakonda totals 6,847 yards off the back tees and is a par 72. 

Jim Thorpe won the first-ever Principal Charity Classic beating Gil Morgan by 2 strokes in 2001. Jay Haas has lifted the trophy three times, more than any of his peers.

American Family Insurance Championship

Tour Champions professionals stay in the midwest for the American Family Insurance Championship played at University Ridge Golf Club, Madison, Wisconsin. Steve Stricker is the tournament host, and 78 of the tour’s best players are penciled in on the tee sheet.

The Championship was born in 2016, and Kirk Triplett claimed a 2 shot victory over Bart Bryant and Mike Goodes. University Ridge is a par 72 Robert Trent Jones Jr design and is slightly lengthy for senior tour pros, stretching 7,259 yards. 

The front nine is relatively open, while the back nine is lined with trees and demands course management from tee to green.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

After a stint in the midwest, the tour heads east to Upstate New York, where the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open awaits. En-Joie has gracefully hosted the event since its inception in 2007, where R.W. Eaks triumphed over Bruce Vaughan by 3 strokes.

En-Joie is a 7,030-yard track off the back tees, and 72 is a par score for the round. The course was originally designed and built by local businessman George F. Johnson, but upgrades were made in 1998 and 1999. The greens transformed from flat round greens into challenging large and undulated dance floors.

We particularly “enjoy” the En-Joie course for its local, friendly vibe and beautiful rolling hills. While it’s not nearly as polished as most of the courses on this tour, we found it to be one of the best for spectators, with free tickets and giveaways.

Boeing Classic

The Boeing Classic has become a permanent fixture on the PGA Tour Champions and Seattle sporting calendar. 2005 saw the first tee shot struck in the tournament when it was the Boeing Greater Seattle Classic.

David Eger claimed the inaugural trophy winning by 3 strokes over Tom Kite. However, in 2007, fans were treated to the largest contingent of players in a Tour Champions playoff. Seven players ended the tournament on 9 under par. Zimbabwean Denis Watson would eventually steal the show as he drained an eagle putt on the second playoff hole to bag the crown.

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Club at Snoqualmie Ridge has hosted the tournament since it launched, frequently challenging the Pros. The 7,264-yard layout with a par score of 72 suits long hitters given its wide fairways. It also treats you to spectacular mountain and water vistas.

Shaw Charity Classic

The Tour makes its way north to Calgary, Canada, in mid-August for the Shaw Charity Classic, a mainstay on the schedule since 2013. Although the course plays a par 72 for amateurs, they corrected the rating to a par 70 for the Shaw Charity Classic.

Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club has welcomed the tour since 2013, measuring 7,158 yards from the black tees. In addition, the course sits at 3,590 feet above sea level, adding extra yards to each shot. Rocco Mediate lifted the first trophy in 2013, obliterating the field by 7 strokes.

The Ally Challenge

Grand Blanc Township in Michigan is the venue for the Ally Challenge, one of the newer events on tour. The PGA Tour Champions arrived at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in 2018 when Paul Broadhurst became the first champion.

The 7,112-yard golf course is a par 72 layout designed by Joe Lee and is relatively long for senior tour players, and is lined with trees. This demands a combination of driving distance, fairways, and greens in regulation.

Ascension Charity Classic

The Ascension Charity Classic is another tournament in its infancy on tour. It teed off for the first time in 2021 when David Toms beat Dicky Pride in a playoff. The St Louis-based Norwood Hills has hosted the first two Ascension Charity Classics on their West course, which is no stranger to tournament golf.

Norwood Hills plays 6,992 yards, and 71 is considered a par score. The fairways are lined with trees and demand an accurate tee shot to attack the flag on approach. In addition, 5 lakes are scattered throughout the links and come into play for half the round.

Sanford International

The tour returns to the Midwest in September for the Sanford International, another relatively young event. 2018 saw the Sanford International debut, and Steve Stricker showed his class to defeat Tim Petrovic and Jerry Smith by 4 shots.

Minnehaha Country Club is the host venue, littered with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It is not the longest golf course on tour, reaching 6,530 yards off the burgundy tees, but it does demand precision to walk away with a low round.

Pure Insurance Championship

As we enter the back end of the season, the Tour Champions journeys to the West Coast for the Pure Insurance Championship. The famed Pebble Beach is the host venue for the event, originally titled the First Tee Open. However, organizers have changed the name on five occasions.

The Pure Insurance Championship became the official title in 2017 and has remained since. Craig Stadler lifted the cup in the inaugural event in 2004, winning by 3 strokes over Jay Haas.

Constellation Furyk & Friends

The Constellation Furyk and Friends event kicked off in 2021 as a way for the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation to raise funds for at-risk children. Timuquana Country Club puts on the event, which was first won by Phil Mickelson in the 2020-21 season.

The Country Club is located a short distance from my base for two years when I was navigating the high seas. Timuquana measures 6,949 yards from the back tees and is a standard Par 72 layout. Finally, its tree-lined fairways leave little margin for error, demanding accuracy off the tee.

If you’re traveling with family, Furyk & Friends is one of our favorites to bring the kids. In 2023, the tournament went all out with food trucks, a petting zoo, free ice cream, and more!

SAS Championship

The SAS Championship has featured on the PGA Tour Champions since 2001, played at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. Bruce Lietzke won the inaugural outing and went back to back in 2002.

The 54-hole complex opts for the Meadow and Highlands combination of courses for the SAS, playing 7,237 yards and carrying a 72-par total.

Dominion Energy Charity Classic

The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is the first playoff round for the Charles Schwab Cup. The top 72 players on the money list will be invited to the no-cut event after the SAS Championship.

The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond has hosted the event since it teed off in 2016 when Scott McCarron bagged the title. The venue is dominated by tree-lined fairways and the odd water hazard, making accuracy vital for success.

Simmons Bank Championship

The top 54 golfers on the money list after the Dominion Energy Charity Classic progress to the Simmons Bank Championship. The penultimate event of the year is hosted by Pleasant Valley Country Club, a parkland golf course with lightning-quick greens.

The tournament has a new headline sponsor this year after the partnership with TimberTech expired at the end of 2023.

Charles Schwab Cup Championship

The entire season has built up to this moment, where the remaining top 36 players are the only ones invited. The tour travels to Phoenix Country Club, Arizona, for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, and California all hosted the event before its switch to Arizona in 2014. The initial Charles Schwab Cup Championship was called the New York Life Champions played in Dorado, Puerto Rico, with Mike Hill winning the first two editions.

The parkland-styled Phoenix Country Club has hosted the cup since 2017,  measuring 6,764 yards, and it is a par 71.

5 PGA Tour Champions Major Tournaments

Regions tradition.

Golf Course: Greystone G&CC, Birmingham, AL Tournament Purse: $2,500,000 Dates: May 10 – 12, 2024

Past champions.

The Regents Tradition was first played in 1989 at the Desert Mountain Cochise course. Don Bies won the inaugural event by a shot over my compatriot Gary Player. Since 2016, the Founders Course at Greystone Golf and Country Club has remained the host venue.

It is the first major on the calendar, typically occurring in the second week of May after the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

Golf course: the golf club at harbor shores (mi) tournament purse: $3,500,000 dates: may 25 – may 28, 2024.

Like the PGA Championship, the senior edition is hosted at a different golf course every year. Years ago the tournament was hosted at Dunedin Golf Club in Florida from 1945 to 1962. Then, it moved to the PGA National Golf Club, which hosted it from 1982 to 2000.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is the oldest senior golf tournament on the calendar, with Jock Hutchinson winning the first event in 1937 on 7 over par.

U.S. Senior Open

Golf Course: SentryWorld, Stevens Point, WI Tournament Purse: $4,000,000 Dates: Jun 27 – Jun 30, 2024

The third PGA TOUR major of the season sees the pros vie for the coveted Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy. The U.S. Senior Open is played at a different golf course every year.

Winged Foot hosted the first U.S. Senior Open in 1980, and Argentine Roberto De Vicenzo claimed a 4-stroke victory.

Bridgestone Senior Players Championship

Golf Course: Firestone Country Club, Akron, OH Tournament Purse: $3,500,000 Dates: Jul 11 – Jul 14, 2024

The penultimate PGA Tour Champions major hits our screens in mid-July 2024 when the Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club. The South Course or the “Monster” as it is colloquially known, is the chosen track.

It measures 7,400 yards off the Championship tees and is a par 70, with only one par 5 on each nine. The course is best suited to long hitters, and Jerry Kelly will attempt to win here for the third time in four years.

The inaugural Kaulig Companies Championship went ahead in 1983 at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio. Miller Barber was the first to etch his name onto the trophy defeating Gene Littler by one stroke.

Senior Open Championship

Golf Course: Carnoustie Links, Scotland Tournament Purse: $2,850,000 Dates: Jul 25 – Jul 28, 2024

The Senior Open Championship returns to Carnoustie for the first time since 2016. Englishman Paul Broadhurst walked away victorious on that weekend. This is the third time that ‘Car-nasty hosts the best in the seniors game, and Alex Čejka will look to defend the title he won at Royal Porthcawl in 2023.

Gale-force winds and rain always remain a threat. We will see plenty of punch shots on approach and bump and runs around the dance floor. The first official Senior Open Championship was played at Turnberry in 1987 as Neil Coles walked away with a one-stroke victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the pga champions playing.

The PGA Champions play on the PGA Tour Champions, for former tour and major winners. The Tour hosts over 28 tournaments a year at different venues across North America, Europe, and Africa.

What is the difference between PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions?

The PGA Tour is for professional golfers under the age of 50. Conversely, the PGA Tour Champions is for past tour winners and major champions over 50 .

What yardage does the PGA Champions Tour play?

The yardage on the PGA Senior Tour courses plays between 6800 to 7300 yards. The yardage differs depending on the golf course and changes from one week to another.

How much do Champions Tour players make?

The 2023 PGA Champions Tour average was $303,404. Steve Stricker topped the list, winning $3,986,063, while Dennis Hendershott was at the bottom, taking home $1080.

How much do caddies make on the Champions Tour?

Caddies on the Champions Tour typically take home 5 to 10% of their players’ PGA Senior Tour winnings. However, each player-caddie agreement varies as there are no specific guidelines. 

Final Thoughts on the PGA Tour Champions

There you have everything you need to know about the PGA Tour Champions 2024. I have covered it all, from the schedules, history and past winners. It is evident that Bernhard Langer is a dominant force on the Tour, as he is tied with Hale Irwin for the most victories.

I recommend you bookmark this guide to refer back to for dates, past winners and tournament information. It is everything you need to stay updated and informed about the PGA Tour Champions.

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Matt Callcott-Stevens has lived and breathed golf since he was four. As a junior, he played competitively, until he discovered his talents were better suited to writing about the game. Matt holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing through the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona and has provided golf game improvement tips to seniors and the average golfer for seven years.

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Pga tour champions charles schwab cup playoffs explained: format, tournaments, money and the $1 million annuity, share this article.

And down the stretch they come.

After combining the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the PGA Tour Champions 39-event “super season” has reached the playoffs, with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship capping the postseason.

The Schwab tournament a year ago, which was won by Kevin Sutherland after a nine-hole playoff, didn’t crown a season champion. Because of the COVID pandemic and ensuing schedule shakeup, the senior circuit made the decision to combine the 2020 and ’21 points race into one jumbo affair.

The Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs are similar to the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Championship in that it consists of three events and uses the first two to whittle the field down at subsequent tournaments. Unlike the FedEx Cup, where the Tour Championship winner is the FedEx Cup champion, there’s a chance one golfer wins the Charles Schwab Cup Championship but a different golfer wins the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race.

The playoff events

The playoffs consist of three tournaments:

• Dominion Energy Charity Classic at the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, Oct. 22-24
• TimberTech Championship at the Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Florida, Nov. 5-7
• Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Nov. 11-14

The formats

The Dominion is a 54-hole event with 72 golfers from which the top-54 golfers advance to the 54-hole TimberTech Championship. From there, the top 36 advance to Phoenix Country Club, which puts a bow on the season with a 72-hole tournament. There are no cuts at any of the three events.

Eligibility

Players have been working on making the playoffs over the course of the last two years. Eligibility is based on their positions on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List, which converts money to points .

Bubble boys

Monday qualifier Thongchai Jaidee started the week in the No. 82 spot, well outside the playoff race, but after he poured in a 10-footer for birdie on 18 for a 69, he finished tied for fifth, and that vaulted him into the 72nd and final spot.

PGA Tour Champions : Playoff points standings

Davis Love III also played his way into the playoffs. He started the week No. 75 but finished tied for 20th, which moved him up to No. 71.

Just missing out: Corey Pavin (73), Larry Mize (74) and Jesper Parnevik (75).

At the top end, Bernhard Langer is No. 1, followed by Jim Furyk, Jerry Kelly, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ernie Els and Kevin Sutherland.

The Dominion and TimberTech will each pay out $300,000 to their winners. At the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, $440,000 will go to winner out of a purse totaling $2.5 million.

The season-long Schwab points winner, meanwhile, will earn a $1 million annuity, to be paid out over 10 years. A total of $2.1 million in annuity bonus money will go to the top-five finishers of the points race, with the second-place finisher earning an annuity of $500,000; third-place, $300,000; fourth-place, $200,000; and fifth-place, $100,000.

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PGA Tour vs. PGA Champions Tour: What’s the Difference?

Which is best to wager.

• Champions Tour

The PGA Tour vs. PGA Champions Tour isn’t a rivalry you would imagine, and we look at the differences between the golf tours.

The PGA Tour leaderboard is always packed with the biggest names in golf, including Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

It gets much more attention than the Champions Tour, so let’s look at the difference.

What is the Champions Tour?

The Champions Tour is for players over the age of 50 who hold a PGA card.

Players under 50 must play elsewhere, whether it be the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, or any other tour, so long as they’re a PGA member.

Many of the Champions Tour tournaments are played over three rounds, which considers the age of some golfers, including the likes of Bernhard Langer, who is still winning at the age of 66.

Some ageing PGA Tour players wait patiently so they can join, although it’s not always a right of passage to join. Some players are good enough to stay on the PGA Tour and earn better money.

However, most over 50’s decide to play on the Champions Tour, where it’s much easier to win. It’s still tough competition, including Steve Stricker, who won on the PGA Tour not long ago.

The prize money is still generous, so it’s a great way for the older golfers to earn a living, without worrying about the strong younger players hitting it miles past them. Even Vijay Singh got back in the winners circle lately.

“It was a long time coming,” Singh said after his victory. “Whenever I tee it up on the Champions Tour, I have a chance to win. I’ve been working really hard… So I’m really happy with this win, and I look forward to the next events. I think my game’s coming around and this was the start of it.”

When deciding between the PGA Tour vs. PGA Champions Tour, a player must weigh up how well he’s playing. Phil Mickelson is eligible to play, and Tiger Woods is only three years away, but we can’t see either player teeing it up on the ‘Senior Tour’.

What is the PGA Tour?

The PGA Tour is the biggest tour in the world, and most of the world’s best players are members.

The PGA Tour schedule features one tournament every week, except for a few weeks after the TOUR Championship in August.

Making the tour isn’t easy, but there are various ways to be accepted, including posting a win, qualifying through the Korn Ferry Tour, or being a college standout.

It’s much harder to win on the PGA Tour than the Champions Tour, but it’s all relative. There are players who dominate the leaderboard PGA Champions Tour , such as Stricker and New Zealand’s Steve Alker, so winning isn’t easy no matter where you play.

What’s Better to Bet On?

The PGA Tour vs. PGA Champions Tour betting markets are very different.

Odds for the PGA Tour are often more generous because of the openness of the field. However, on the Champions Tour, there are some players who have little chance of ever winning.

There is usually a dominant favorite on the Champions Tour, whether it be Stricker, Alker or Langer, they are often well-backed with the sportsbook.

On the PGA Tour, depending on the strength of the field, the tournament favorite can be anywhere from +600 to +1200. There is always good value with PGA Tour markets, but it’s harder to predict.

If you enjoy backing favorites, give the Champions Tour a look. There is good value to be snapped up.

For golf betting news , odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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How Do You Qualify For Champions Golf Tour?

The PGA Tour Champions is highly competitive and exclusive. In order to qualify, golfers must satisfy the following criteria:

• There are 78 total spots in the Tour
• Golfers must be 50 years or older
• Golfers must play in regional qualifier unless otherwise exempt
• Golfers must pay a $3,000 application fee

The PGA Tour Champions is a professional golf tour for senior golfers. Many of the greatest golfers of all time have played on this tour, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.  To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, one must either be a professional PGA Golfer or a highly skilled amateur golfer who receives an exemption.

Table of Contents

Champions tour eligibility.

Those looking to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions must be at least 50 years of age, or 49 and turning 50 before June 1st of that year. They also must apply online and pay a fee of $3,000. With the application, at least two letters of reference from a Class A PGA Pro or Champions Tour member are required. You are also required to show a copy of your birth certificate and results from two tournaments held in the last year. 

Amateurs who meet the age criteria can enter the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament. An amateur who finishes among the top 30 at this event must forfeit their status as an amateur to play in the PGA Tour Event Champions Qualifier. When you are in the top 12 of the qualifying stage, the top five will be fully exempt, and the next seven will be reserved and will be able to compete in Champions Tour events on a space-available basis.

Golfers can also earn a sponsorship exemption for a specific tournament, in which a sponsor of the golfer grants entry to the tournament. These exemptions are typically reserved for more popular golfers, as granting them entry will help the tournament’s overall brand.

How old do you need to be to qualify for the Champions Tour?

To qualify for the PGA Tour Champions, you must be at least 50 years old.  You can also qualify for the Champions Tour if you are 49 turning 50 by June 1st of that year. The Champions Tour is reserved for senior golf players that have aged out of the PGA Tour. However, golfers over the age of 50 are still eligible to play in PGA Tour events.

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PGA TOUR Champions Champions Tour About $(function () { $('[data-toggle="popover"]').popover(); });

• Professional Men 50+

PGA Tour Champions is a men's professional senior golf tour for players 50 & over administered as a branch of the PGA Tour.

Description

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 grew out of a highly successful event in 1978, the Legends of Golf, which featured competition between two-member teams of some of the greatest older golfers of that day. 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.

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Ernie Els wins Principal Charity Classic for 4th PGA Tour Champions victory

Ernie Els celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ernie Els holds the trophy after winning the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ernie Els, left, talks with Bernhard Langer on the 18th green after winning the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ernie Els watches his shot off the tenth tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ernie Els watches his shot off the third tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ernie Els hits off the third tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Bernhard Langer watches his shot off the tenth tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Stephen Ames watches his shot off the tenth tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Stephen Ames stands on the tenth tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Rod Pampling watches his shot off the tenth tee during the final round of the Champions Tour Principal Charity Classic golf tournament, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ernie Els won the Principal Charity Classic on Sunday for his fourth career PGA Tour Champions victory, closing with a 7-under 65 at Wakonda Club to beat defending champion Stephen Ames by two strokes.

Tied with Rod Pampling for the second-round lead, Els eagled the par-5 15th and had five birdies in his bogey-free final round. The 54-year-old Hall of Famer from South Africa finished at 21-under 195 for his first victory since March 2023 .

“It’s very special,” Els said. “You know, I haven’t won for a while. I’ve had quite a few chances, but it gets tougher when you don’t get it over the line. So today was very, very competitive. A lot of players, a lot of great players. I just took my chance when it came.”

Ames shot 66. He leads the tour with two victories this season.

Bernard Langer tied for third at 17 under after a 68. Making his fourth start since returning from an Achilles injury, the 66-year-old German star is the tour’s career victory leader with 46.

Pampling (69) and David Duval (67) also were 17 under.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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PGA Tour vs. Champions Tour Course Lengths

By willmillar August 3, 2018 in Tour Talk

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So what is the yardage difference between the regular PGA Tour and Champions Tour course lengths, on average? I'm watching the Champions Tour guys light up the course at TPC Twin Cities on the Golf Channel....

As a side note I'm seeing guys putting for eagle on a 582 par 5...hmmmmm...

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400 to 500 yards

I’d say 200-300 yards difference

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Having played over 60 events on the Senior PGA Tour back in the mid 90's, most courses would have a "advertised" tournament yardage of 6700 to 7000. There were some courses (Ojai, Griffith Park) where physical limitations prevented that type of yardage. This was true of some of the older traditional courses. Day to day actual playing yardage could vary due to weather or course conditions. A course would almost never be set up to play to its maximum "advertised" tournament yardage - this is true today on all tours.

Ideally, the tour would like firm and fast fairways which would give 30 to 40 yards of roll out. Played many 450 yard par 4 holes. I played when the huge advances in equipment was just beginning. In 1993, my 1st year, I believe still were using Titleist Tour Balata - then the "Professional" came out next. Most were using metal drivers.

Q School was always set up on average tougher than a regular tour stop. Easily 7000 yd.

I would say that if you were to put both tours on the same course, PGA tour setup would be 200 to 400 yards greater.

I was at the Champions event in Minnesota today, and noticed the "advertised" course length was over 7100. On 2 or 3 holes, they were not even using the back boxes, so I'm guessing the 7100 number was based on total max yardage. They will be playing the new regular tour event at this course next year, so I'm curious to see what changes will be made in terms of length and other things to make it tougher.

We followed K Perry all the way around, and practically fell over when he burned the edge for a possible double eagle on 18 that would have resulted in a 59!

@_the_crook

I was a walking scorer at the Senior Constellation Tournament in July.

They used the back tees. 7149 yards. Plus or minus a little for tee placement change during the round.

Course scorecard shows the back, Black tees as Par 75, Slope 137.

eight possible sets to play from there.

what a track.

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Jagpilotohio

Average length is about 7000. Shortest one I can think of is Newport Beach CC. That plays about 6600.

Regular tour averages a bit over 7200.

As someone said, they set them up very differently day to day depending on conditions. It isn’t often that all the tees are back at the tips.

Kookaburra1966

Poses an interesting idea for a one-off tournament. Main tour and Seniors tour side by side, off their respective markers, playing their own flights and perhaps an overall which would not be as important. Remove all variables (pin placements and course prep always seem a touch more generous on the Seniors and LPGA tours) except course length. See how scores stack up, as well as some of the micro factors like SG here and there.

Might just shine a light on what the “correct” % differential between course lengths could or should be at that level. Maybe repeat the dose with an LPGA field. After a few years of adjustment and fine tuning we might just see how players on the three tours could legitimately go head-to-head, if at all.

I believe the Pga Seniour Champ a few years ago was setup around 6900 Max distance. Junior Pga boys champ last week was just over 7000 Max. distance.

sciota was tipped, almost 7200 and mostly uphill second shots, I still have the scorecard

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