History of Korn Ferry Tour in Timeline

The Korn Ferry Tour serves as the developmental tour for the PGA Tour, providing a pathway for professional golfers to earn their PGA Tour membership. Golfers who haven't reached or haven't maintained their status on the PGA Tour compete on the Korn Ferry Tour. A key incentive is that the top 30 players on the money list at the end of the season secure PGA Tour memberships for the following season. Since 2019, it has become the primary route to the PGA Tour, with Q-School now primarily serving as a gateway to the Korn Ferry Tour itself.

1989: PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman Announces Satellite Tour

In early 1989, PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman announced the creation of a "satellite tour", which would later be formalized by the PGA Tour in 1990.

1990: Formalization of the Satellite Tour as the Ben Hogan Tour

In 1990, the PGA Tour formalized the "satellite tour" and named it the Ben Hogan Tour, with the Ben Hogan Golf Company as the sponsor. The inaugural season consisted of 30 events, each with a typical purse of $100,000.

1992: Nike Acquires Title Sponsorship

Late in 1992, Nike acquired the title sponsorship of the Ben Hogan Tour, which led to the tour being renamed the Nike Tour for seven seasons, starting in 1993.

1993: Monterrey Open in Mexico

In 1993, the tour expanded beyond the mainland United States for the first time with the Monterrey Open in Mexico.

1993: Nike Tour Inaugural Season

In 1993, the tour was officially renamed the Nike Tour after Nike acquired the title sponsorship late in 1992. It remained the Nike Tour for seven seasons.

1997: Three-Win Promotion to PGA Tour Established

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 for the following year.

1999: End of Nike Tour Sponsorship

In 1999, the seven-season run of the Nike Tour concluded, paving the way for a new title sponsor.

2000: Buy.com Becomes Title Sponsor

In 2000, Buy.com became the title sponsor of the tour, which was subsequently renamed the Buy.com Tour.

2001: End of Monterrey Open on the Tour Schedule

In 2001, the Monterrey Open in Mexico, which had been an annual fixture since 1993, was removed from the tour schedule.

2002: End of Buy.com Tour Sponsorship

In 2002, the Buy.com Tour sponsorship concluded, marking the end of a three-season run.

2003: Nationwide Insurance Becomes Title Sponsor

In 2003, Nationwide Insurance became the title sponsor of the tour, which was then renamed the Nationwide Tour.

2004: Tournament in Panama Added

In 2004, a tournament in Panama was added to the tour schedule, further expanding its international presence.

2006: Korn Ferry Tour Offers Official World Golf Ranking Points

From 2006 until August 2022, the Korn Ferry Tour offered Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner earned a minimum of 14 points (provided at least 54 holes were played) and 20 for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.

2007: Paul Claxton Reaches US$1 Million in Career Earnings

In 2007, Paul Claxton became the first golfer to reach US$1 million in Korn Ferry Tour career earnings, marking a significant milestone in the tour's history.

2008: Return to Mexico

In 2008, the tour returned to Mexico with a tournament, re-establishing its presence in the country.

2010: Addition of Colombia

In 2010, Colombia was added as a location for a tour event, continuing the expansion into new international markets.

March 20, 2012: PGA Tour Announces Radical Changes

On March 20, 2012, the PGA Tour announced radical changes to the main tour's season and qualifying process, effective in 2013. Major changes to what was then known as the Nationwide Tour were also announced at that time.

June 2012: Web.com Announced as New Title Sponsor

In late June 2012, Web.com was announced as the new title sponsor for the tour. The 10-year sponsorship deal was effective immediately, and the tour's name was changed to the Web.com Tour mid-season.

2012: Addition of Chile

In 2012, Chile was added as a location for a tour event, marking further expansion in South America.

2012: Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying

Until 2012, there were a number of ways of getting onto the Korn Ferry Tour such as: Top 50 golfers at qualifying school after the top 25 and ties, those who finished between 26th and 60th on the previous year's money list, 126–150th on the previous season's PGA Tour money list, and those who were formerly fully exempt on the PGA Tour in the recent past.

2013: Start of PGA Tour Season in October

Beginning in the fall of 2013, the PGA Tour season started in October of the previous calendar year, leading to consequences for the Korn Ferry Tour.

2013: PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament Replaced by Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament

From 2013 to 2022, the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament was replaced by the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, which granted playing rights only for the Korn Ferry Tour.

2013: Addition of Brazil

In 2013, Brazil was added as a location for a tour event, adding another South American country to the tour's schedule.

2013: Effective Date of PGA Tour Changes

In 2013, the radical changes announced by the PGA Tour on March 20, 2012, became effective, impacting the structure and qualifying process of the main tour and the then-Nationwide Tour.

2013: Increased OWGR Points for Korn Ferry Tour Finals

Starting in 2013, the other events of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals awarded 16 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points to the winner.

2013: Korn Ferry Tour Structure Similar to PGA Tour

Starting with the 2013 season, the Korn Ferry Tour adopted a structure similar to the PGA Tour, featuring a regular season followed by the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. The finals consisted of four tournaments held during the main tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

2015: Chile on the Tour schedule

In 2015, it was the last year Chile was featured on the Tour Schedule.

2016: Additions of the Dominican Republic

In 2016, the Dominican Republic was added as a location for a tour event, broadening the tour's presence in the Caribbean.

2017: Addition of the Bahamas

In 2017, the Bahamas were added as a location for a tour event, marking the start of continued tour events in the Bahamas.

June 2019: Korn Ferry Replaces Web.com as Tour Sponsor

In June 2019, the PGA Tour announced a 10-year deal with Korn Ferry, a Los Angeles–based consulting firm, to replace Web.com as the tour's sponsor.

2019: Korn Ferry Tour Becomes Primary PGA Tour Pathway

In 2019, the Korn Ferry Tour became the primary pathway for golfers seeking to earn their PGA Tour card, as Q-School transitioned to an entryway for the Korn Ferry Tour.

August 2022: Change in OWGR Points System

In August 2022, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points system changed, impacting the allocation of points in the Korn Ferry Tour.

2022: PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament Replaced by Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament

The PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament remained replaced by the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament which granted playing rights only for the Korn Ferry Tour until 2022.

2023: Qualifying Tournament Again Awarded PGA Tour Cards

In 2023, the Qualifying Tournament again awarded PGA Tour cards to the top five plus ties. Those up to 40th plus ties are fully exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour.