History of PGA Tour in Timeline

The PGA Tour organizes professional golf tournaments in North America. It oversees the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour Americas. It is structured as a non-profit organization and is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

April 10, 1916: Formation of the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA)

On April 10, 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) was formed, marking a key moment in the history of professional golf in the United States. Wins from this era are recognized as "PGA Tour" victories, even though the formal establishment of the tour as a distinct entity occurred later.

1916: Establishment of prestigious golf tournaments

In 1916, several prestigious golf tournaments were established in America, offering prize money to the winner. These included the North and South Open, the Metropolitan Open, the Canadian Open, the Shawnee Open, the Western Open, and the U.S. Open, which formed the initial schedule of what would later become known as the 'PGA Tour'. The PGA Championship was also added in 1916.

1929: Formalization of 'The Circuit'

In 1929, 'The Circuit' for professional golfers in the PGA became more formalized with the formation of a tournament committee consisting of Tommy Armour, Al Espinosa, and J.J. Patterson.

1930: Bob Harlow hired as manager of the PGA Tournament Bureau

In 1930, Bob Harlow was hired as manager of the PGA Tournament Bureau, working to formalize a year-round schedule of tournaments.

1938: Babe Zaharias competes in a PGA Tour event

In 1938, Babe Zaharias became the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event.

1945: Byron Nelson's record-breaking year

In 1945, Byron Nelson had a record-breaking year, winning 18 PGA tournaments out of 30 played, including 11 consecutively.

1945: Babe Zaharias makes the cut in a PGA Tour event

In 1945, Zaharias became the first and only woman to make a cut in a PGA Tour event.

1948: PGA Player of the Year Award Origin

The PGA Player of the Year award dates back to 1948 (originally named the PGA Golfer of the Year) and was awarded by the PGA of America.

1958: Arnold Palmer captures his first Masters Tournament on CBS

In 1958, Arnold Palmer captured his first Masters Tournament on CBS.

July 1968: Dissatisfaction voiced at the PGA Championship

In July 1968, following the final major at the PGA Championship, several leading tour pros voiced their dissatisfaction with the venue and the abundance of club pros in the field.

December 1968: Spin-off of tour players into a separate organization

In December 1968, the PGA of America spun off its tour players into a separate organization. This new entity focused on tour players, distinguishing them from club professionals who remained the focal members of the PGA of America.

1968: The Byron Nelson is named for a professional golfer

In 1968, The Byron Nelson became the first PGA Tour event to be named for a professional golfer.

January 1969: Joseph Dey selected as tour's first commissioner

In January 1969, Joseph Dey, the recently retired USGA executive director, was selected as the tour's first commissioner.

1974: Deane Beman succeeds Joseph Dey

In 1974, tour player Deane Beman succeeded Joseph Dey as commissioner, serving for twenty years.

1975: Adoption of the name PGA Tour

In 1975, the 'Tournament Players Division' officially adopted the name 'PGA Tour'.

1975: The tour's name officially changed to the 'PGA Tour'

In 1975, the tour's name officially changed to the 'PGA Tour'.

1978: PGA Tour removed its restriction on women

In 1978, the PGA Tour removed its restriction on women.

1979: Addition of players from continental Europe to the Ryder Cup

In 1979, players from continental Europe were added to the Ryder Cup.

August 1981: PGA Tour changes name to TPA Tour

In late August 1981, the PGA Tour officially changed its name to the TPA Tour due to a marketing dispute with the PGA of America.

March 1982: Name change back to PGA Tour

In March 1982, the tour's name was changed back to the 'PGA Tour' after resolving the disputed issues.

1982: PGA Player of the Year Selection Changed

From 1982 to 2022, the winner of the PGA Player of the Year award has been selected using a points system.

1986: Introduction of the Official World Golf Ranking

In 1986, the Official World Golf Ranking was introduced, with the PGA Tour competing with the European Tour for the top golfers.

1990: PGA Tour Player of the Year Award Introduced

In 1990, the PGA Tour Player of the Year award, also known as the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, was introduced; the recipient is selected by the tour players by ballot.

1990: First Award of PGA Tour Player of the Year

The PGA Tour tracks which players have won more than one PGA Tour Player of the Year Award through 2024, with the award first given in 1990.

1990: Rookie of the Year Award Introduced

The Rookie of the Year award was introduced in 1990. Players are eligible in their first season of PGA Tour membership if they competed in less than seven events from any prior season.

1992: PGA and PGA Tour Players of the Year Have Been the Same

From 1992 through 2018, the PGA and PGA Tour Players of the Year have been the same every year.

June 1994: Tim Finchem becomes commissioner

In June 1994, Tim Finchem became the third commissioner of the PGA Tour.

1995: The Open Championship becomes a PGA Tour event

In 1995, The Open Championship in the UK became a PGA Tour event.

1999: Start of play for the World Golf Championships and the Tour Championship

In 1999, the PGA Tour began play of the World Golf Championships and the Tour Championship.

2002: Retroactive recognition of Open Championship wins

In 2002, all Open Championship wins dating back to 1860 were retroactively recognized as PGA Tour victories.

2003: Annika Sörenstam and Suzy Whaley play in PGA Tour events

In 2003, Annika Sörenstam and Suzy Whaley played in PGA Tour events.

2004: Michelle Wie plays in PGA Tour events

In 2004, Michelle Wie played in PGA Tour events.

2005: PGA Tour Network Co-Produced with XM Satellite Radio

In 2005, the PGA Tour reached a deal with XM Satellite Radio to co-produce a channel, the PGA Tour Network (now Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio).

2005: PGA Tour "Drive to a Billion" campaign

In 2005, the PGA Tour started a campaign to push its all-time fundraising tally past one billion dollars ("Drive to a Billion"), and it reached that mark one week before the end of the season.

2005: Adam Scott at the 2005 Nissan Open

In 2005, the PGA Tour states if they cannot guarantee four rounds of play, the event can be shortened to 54 holes. Any tournament stopped before 54 holes is reverted to the 36-hole score and the win is considered unofficial, notably Adam Scott at the 2005 Nissan Open.

2006: Sky Sports Loses Rights as Main Broadcaster

In 2006, Sky Sports was no longer the main broadcaster of the PGA Tour in the United Kingdom after a number of years.

2007: Setanta Sports Won Exclusive UK and Ireland Rights

In 2007, Setanta Sports won exclusive UK and Ireland rights for six years for a reported cost of £103 million, including Champions Tour and the Nationwide Tour events.

2007: The Players Championship moved to May

In 2007, The Players Championship was moved to May.

2007: Introduction of the Fall Series

In 2007, a circuit known as the Fall Series, originally with seven tournaments, was introduced. These events were held in seven consecutive weeks, starting the week after the Tour Championship.

2007: Introduction of a tournament in Mexico

In 2007, a tournament was introduced in Mexico as an alternate event staged the same week as the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

2007: Golf Channel becomes pay television rightsholder of the PGA Tour

Since 2007, Golf Channel has served as the pay television rightsholder of the PGA Tour.

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2008: Michelle Wie plays in PGA Tour events

In 2008, Michelle Wie played in PGA Tour events.

2008: Introduction of a tournament in Puerto Rico

In 2008, a tournament was introduced in Puerto Rico as an alternate event staged opposite the WGC-CA Championship.

2008: Tweaks to the Fall Series schedule

In 2008, the Fall Series schedule was tweaked. The first event was held opposite the Ryder Cup, and the Fall Series took a week off for the Tour Championship.

2008: Fall Series took a week off

In 2008, the Fall Series took a week off for the Presidents Cup.

2008: Tweaks made to the FedEx Cup playoff schedule

In 2008, the FedEx Cup playoff schedule was tweaked, with the break coming before the Ryder Cup and the Tour Championship the week after.

2008: PGA Tour Policy Board approves a change in the number of players that will make the cut.

In 2008, the PGA Tour Policy Board approved a change in the number of players that will make the cut.

June 23, 2009: Setanta's UK Arm Ceased Broadcasting

On June 23, 2009, Setanta's UK arm went into administration and ceased broadcasting.

2009: Eurosport Picked Up Television Rights

In 2009, Eurosport picked up the television rights for the remainder of the season after Setanta's UK arm went into administration.

2009: Tweaks to the Fall Series schedule

In 2009, the Fall Series schedule was tweaked again. The Fall Series took a week off for the Presidents Cup.

2009: More tweaks to the FedEx Cup playoff schedule

In 2009, the FedEx Cup playoff schedule was tweaked again, with the break followed by the Tour Championship and the Presidents Cup taking place two weeks after that.

2009: PGA Tour organizes remaining 43 week-to-week events

In 2009, the PGA Tour organized the remaining 43 week-to-week events, including The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup events, as well as the biennial Presidents Cup. It also ran the main tournaments on five other tours: PGA Tour Champions, the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour China, and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.

2009: Charity fundraising total

In 2009, the total raised for charity from the PGA Tour was some $108 million.

2009: Major changes for the Fall Series

The Fall Series saw major changes for 2009, with one of its events moving to May and another dropping off the schedule entirely.

2010: Sky Sports Regained TV Rights

In 2010, Sky Sports regained the TV rights with an eight-year deal from 2010 to 2017. Also, the SBS Championship was renamed to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

2011: Isabelle Beisiegel earns a Tour card

In 2011, Isabelle Beisiegel became the first woman to earn a Tour card on a "men's" professional golf tour, the Canadian Tour, now PGA Tour Canada.

2011: NBC Granted More Extensive Digital Rights

In 2011, NBC's contract with the PGA Tour was updated to grant them more extensive digital rights, allowing them to broadcast supplemental coverage of events on the Golf Channel during broadcast windows.

2011: Fall Series Reduced to Four Events

In 2011, the Fall Series was reduced to four events, all held after the Tour Championship.

2011: Hyundai Took Over Title Sponsorship

In 2011, the Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai took over the title sponsorship of the season's opening tournament, though SBS still remained a sponsor of the event.

March 2012: PGA Tour Courage Award Introduced

In March 2012, the PGA Tour Courage Award was introduced in replacement of the defunct Comeback Player of the Year award to recognize talents that have battled with “extraordinary adversity such as personal tragedy or debilitating injury or illness”.

March 20, 2012: Announcement of radical changes to the tour's season and qualifying process

On March 20, 2012, the tour announced radical changes to the tour's season and qualifying process.

2012: Change in the criterion for retaining tour cards

Through 2012, the top 125 players on the money list at the end of the PGA Tour season retained their tour cards.

2012: PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament details

Through the 2012 edition, the top-25 finishers, including ties, received privileges to play on the following year's PGA Tour. Remaining finishers in the top 75, plus ties, received full privileges on the Korn Ferry Tour.

2013: Minor tweak to one of the final details

Effective for the 2013 season only, one of the final details received a minor tweak on September 11.

2013: Change in the criterion for retaining tour cards

For the 2013 season only, the top 125 players on both the money list and the FedEx Cup points list at the end of the FedEx Cup regular season in August retained their cards.

2013: CIMB Classic and HSBC Champions become full PGA Tour events

In 2013, the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and the HSBC Champions in China became full PGA Tour events with official prize money. Previously, these events were sanctioned but did not have full PGA Tour status.

2013: Changes to PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament

In 2013, the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament became officially the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament. All competitors who made the final phase of Q-School earned status on the Korn Ferry Tour at the start of the following season.

2013: Korn Ferry Tour golfers earn privileges during the next PGA Tour season

Since 2013, 50 Korn Ferry Tour golfers earn privileges during the next PGA Tour season. Also a golfer who wins three events on that tour in a calendar year earns a "performance promotion" which garners PGA Tour privileges for the remainder of the year plus the following full season.

2013: Changes to tour card eligibility

Since 2013, players who are ranked between 126 and 200 in FedEx Cup points are eligible for entry in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, where they can regain their PGA Tour privileges.

2013: PGA Tour Network Added Audio Simulcasts of Golf Channel Programs

Since 2013, the PGA Tour Network (now Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio) has also included audio simulcasts of selected Golf Channel programs.

2013: Last season conducted entirely within a calendar year

The 2013 season was the last to be conducted entirely within a calendar year.

2013: 40 official-money events in 38 weeks

The 2013 season, which was the last before the tour transitioned to a schedule spanning two calendar years, had 40 official-money events in 38 weeks, including three alternate events played the same week as a higher-status tournament.

2014: FedEx Cup points list changes take effect

In 2014, the PGA tour's planned move for the top 125 players on the FedEx Cup points list to retain their tour cards took effect. The next 75 players, along with the top 75 on the Korn Ferry Tour's money list, became eligible for the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in September. 50 PGA Tour cards were awarded at the end of the Finals.

2014: Season starts in October of the previous calendar year

Since the 2014 season, the season starts in October of the previous calendar year, shortly after the Tour Championship.

2015: PGA Tour adds clause to freeze exemptions for military service

In 2015, the PGA Tour added a clause which would freeze an exemption for those required to perform military service in their native countries in response to South Korea's Bae Sang-moon having to leave the Tour for that reason.

2016: PGA Tour Live Coverage Shared on Twitter (Pilot)

At the end of the 2016 season, a pilot program was initiated to carry portions of the PGA Tour Live coverage for free via the PGA Tour's Twitter account, with full implementation starting in 2017.

2016: PGA Tour Priority Ranking System

The PGA Tour maintained a priority ranking system that is used to select the fields for most tournaments on tour, with the 2016-17 ranking system, in order of priority.

January 1, 2017: Jay Monahan becomes commissioner

On January 1, 2017, Jay Monahan succeeded Tim Finchem as commissioner.

2017: End of Sky Sports' Eight-Year Deal

In 2017, Sky Sports' eight-year deal ended.

2017: Total raised for charities in 2017

In 2017, the PGA Tour announced to have generated $180 million for charities through the tournaments of its six tours.

2017: PGA Tour decides against opting out of broadcast television contracts

In 2017, the PGA Tour considered invoking an option to opt out of its broadcast television contracts, but ultimately decided against doing so.

2017: PGA Tour Live Coverage Shared on Twitter

Since 2017, following a pilot at the end of the 2016 season, portions of the PGA Tour Live coverage have also been carried for free via the PGA Tour's Twitter account.

June 2018: Discovery, Inc. Acquired Exclusive International Media Rights

In June 2018, Discovery, Inc. acquired exclusive international media rights to the PGA Tour outside of the United States, beginning 2019, under a 12-year, US$2 billion deal.

2018: PGA and PGA Tour Players of the Year Have Been the Same

From 1992 through 2018, the PGA and PGA Tour Players of the Year have been the same every year.

January 2019: GolfTV Unveiled

Beginning in January 2019, Discovery started replacing PGA Tour Live in international markets (Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, and Spain) with its over-the-top subscription service GolfTV, as existing rights lapsed.

2019: PGA Tour Live Operation Moved to NBC Sports Gold

From 2019 to 2021, the PGA Tour Live streaming service was operated under NBC Sports' subscription streaming platform NBC Sports Gold, adding featured holes coverage during Golf Channel's windows.

2019: SBS Contract Extended Through 2019

In 2009, SBS agreed to extend its contract with the PGA Tour through 2019.

March 9, 2020: PGA Tour renews broadcast contracts with CBS and NBC

On March 9, 2020, the PGA Tour announced that it had reached an agreement to renew its contracts with CBS and NBC through 2030, maintaining most of the existing broadcast arrangements.

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June 2020: PGA Tour University Created

In June 2020, the PGA Tour announced the creation of PGA Tour University, a scheme to create pathways for collegiate golfers to join development tours operated by the PGA Tour.

2020: Cut line reduced to 65 plus ties, eliminating the 54-hole cut.

For the 2020 season, the cut line was reduced to 65 plus ties and eliminated the 54-hole cut.

2020: PGA Tour's broadcast television rights renewed

In 2020, the PGA Tour's broadcast television rights were held by CBS Sports and NBC Sports, under contracts most recently renewed to last through 2030.

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2021: PGA Tour Live Operation Under NBC Sports Gold Ended

From 2019 to 2021, the PGA Tour Live streaming service was operated under NBC Sports' subscription streaming platform NBC Sports Gold, adding featured holes coverage during Golf Channel's windows.

2021: PGA Tour expresses concerns over LIV Golf with White House officials

In late 2021, the PGA Tour began speaking with White House officials and members of Congress to express concerns over LIV Golf proposals. The tour paid over $400,000 to the firm DLA Piper to lobby lawmakers on their behalf for various topics including LIV Golf proposals.

2021: Sirius XM Contract Renewed

The PGA Tour's contract with Sirius XM was renewed through 2021.

June 2022: PGA Tour suspends players for participating in LIV Golf

In June 2022, the PGA Tour suspended 17 players, including major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson, for participating in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event.

July 2022: US Department of Justice investigates PGA Tour

In July 2022, it was reported that the US Department of Justice was investigating the PGA Tour to determine if it engaged in anti-competitive behavior with LIV Golf.

August 2022: LIV Golf players file antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour

In August 2022, 11 players who had joined LIV Golf filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour to challenge their suspensions. Three players failed to obtain a temporary restraining order to allow them to participate in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

November 2022: GolfTV Shuttered

In November 2022, GolfTV was shuttered after Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, with Warner Bros. Discovery prioritizing its Discovery+ and HBO Max services instead.

November 2022: PGA Tour University System Modified

In November 2022, the PGA Tour University system was modified to award PGA Tour membership to the top-ranked collegiate golfer immediately, starting in 2023.

2022: Last Time the PGA Player of the Year Award Was Given

The PGA Player of the Year award was last given in 2022.

2022: Players Who Have Won More Than One PGA Player of the Year Award

Through 2022, some players have won more than one PGA Player of the Year Award.

2022: PGA Tour Live Moved Back to ESPN+

Under the 2022–2030 contract, the PGA Tour Live service moved back to ESPN+.

2022: NBC Lost Exclusive Rights to FedEx Cup Playoff Tournaments

Until 2022, NBC had exclusive coverage of the final three FedEx Cup playoff tournaments.

June 6, 2023: PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, and LIV Golf announce merger agreement

On June 6, 2023, the PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, and LIV Golf announced that they would enter into an agreement to merge their commercial rights into a single, for-profit entity. The Saudi Public Investment Fund will initially serve as the "exclusive investor" in the entity.

September 2023: Trial scheduled for antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour

In September 2023, the trial for the antitrust lawsuit filed by LIV Golf players against the PGA Tour was scheduled to begin.

October 2023: First Player Earns PGA Tour Card Through PGA Tour University Accelerated Program

In October 2023, Gordon Sargent reached the 20-point threshold and became the first ever player to earn a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program.

December 31, 2023: Deadline for PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, and LIV Golf deal

The deadline for completing the deal between PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, and LIV Golf was December 31, 2023, although an extension was considered.

January 31, 2024: PGA Tour announces investment by Strategic Sports Group

On January 31, 2024, the PGA Tour announced that it had agreed to a $3 billion investment by Strategic Sports Group into its for-profit arm, PGA Tour Enterprises. Active players will be given an opportunity to receive grants of equity in PGA Tour Enterprises.

2024: The Byron Nelson is played annually near Dallas

As of 2024, The Byron Nelson is played annually near Dallas.

2024: Gordon Sargent Defers Membership

Following the World Team Amateur Championship in Dubai in October 2023, Gordon Sargent reached the 20-point threshold to earn a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. He is eligible to take up the membership following the conclusion of 2024 NCAA Division I Championship but elected to defer his membership and return for his senior year at Vanderbilt.

2024: PGA Tour University Updates PGA Tour Americas Cards

In 2024, PGA Tour University gave PGA Tour Americas cards to golfers who finished 11th-25th (up from 20th) in the rankings and entry into the second stage of PGA Tour Q School.

2024: Listing of Multiple PGA Tour Player of the Year Award Winners

The PGA Tour tracks which players have won more than one PGA Tour Player of the Year Award through 2024, with the award first given in 1990.

April 13, 2025: Top Ten Career Money Leaders

As of April 13, 2025, the top ten career money leaders on the tour are tracked.

June 2025: Brian Rolapp announced as next CEO

In June 2025, NFL executive Brian Rolapp was announced as the next CEO effective 2026.

2025: PGA Tour to Produce Dedicated World Feed

Beginning at the 2025 Players Championship, the PGA Tour began to produce a dedicated world feed for international broadcasters, separate from the American network coverage.

2025: Signature Events Designated

For 2025, eight tournaments were designated as "Signature Events": the Sentry Tournament of Champions, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Truist Championship, The Memorial Tournament, and the Travelers Championship.

2026: Brian Rolapp becomes CEO

In June 2025, NFL executive Brian Rolapp was announced as the next CEO effective 2026.

2030: End date for broadcast television rights

In 2020, the PGA Tour's broadcast television rights were held by CBS Sports and NBC Sports, under contracts most recently renewed to last through 2030.

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2030: End date for renewed broadcast contracts with CBS and NBC

On March 9, 2020, the PGA Tour announced that it had reached an agreement to renew its contracts with CBS and NBC through 2030, maintaining most of the existing broadcast arrangements.

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