History of PGA Tour in Timeline

The PGA Tour is the leading organizer of professional golf tournaments in North America. It operates several tours, including the flagship PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour Americas. As a non-profit organization, the PGA Tour is based 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 the roots of the modern PGA Tour.

1916: Establishment of Prestigious Golf Tournaments

In 1916, several prestigious golf tournaments offering prize money were established in America, including the North and South Open, the Metropolitan Open, the Canadian Open, the Shawnee Open, the Western Open and the U.S. Open. Also in 1916, the PGA Championship was added to the initial schedule of what became known as the PGA Tour.

1929: Formalization of 'The Circuit'

In 1929, the tour, known informally as 'The Circuit', became more formalized, and a tournament committee consisting of Tommy Armour, Al Espinosa, and J.J. Patterson was formed.

1930: Bob Harlow Hired as Manager

In 1930, Bob Harlow was hired as manager of the PGA Tournament Bureau and worked 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: Babe Zaharias makes the cut in a PGA Tour event

In 1945, Babe Zaharias became the first and only woman to make a cut 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 the 30 he played, including 11 in a row.

1948: PGA Player of the Year Award Originates

In 1948, the PGA of America created the PGA Player of the Year award (originally named the PGA Golfer of the Year).

1958: Arnold Palmer captures his first Masters Tournament

In 1958, Arnold Palmer, a younger working class player, captured his first Masters Tournament on CBS.

July 1968: Tour Pros' Dissatisfaction at the PGA Championship

Following the final major in July 1968 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: PGA Tour Spin-off

In December 1968, the PGA of America spun off the tour players into a separate organization, distinguishing them from club professionals who were the primary members of the PGA of America.

1968: The Byron Nelson Inauguration

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

January 1969: Joseph Dey Selected as First Commissioner

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

1974: Deane Beman Succeeded Joseph Dey

In early 1974, tour player Deane Beman succeeded Joseph Dey as the tour's commissioner.

1975: Name change to PGA Tour

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

1978: PGA Tour Removed Restriction on Women

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

1979: Addition of Continental European Players to Ryder Cup

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

August 1981: Name Change to TPA Tour

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

March 1982: Return to PGA Tour Name

In March 1982, the disputed issues were resolved and the tour's name was changed back to the 'PGA Tour'.

1982: PGA Player of the Year Points System Introduced

From 1982 to 2022, the PGA Player of the Year award winner was selected using a points system with points awarded for wins, money list position and scoring average.

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, including the world number one.

1990: PGA Tour Player of the Year Award Introduced

In 1990, the PGA Tour introduced the PGA Tour Player of the Year award, also known as the Jack Nicklaus Trophy.

1990: Rookie of the Year Award Introduced

In 1990, the PGA Tour introduced the Rookie of the Year award.

1992: PGA and PGA Tour Player of the Year award Winners Consistent

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

June 1994: Tim Finchem Became Commissioner

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

1995: The Open Championship became a PGA Tour event

In 1995, The Open Championship in the UK, the oldest golf tournament in the world founded in 1860, would become a PGA Tour event.

1999: Inauguration of the World Golf Championships and Tour Championship

In 1999, the 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: Adam Scott's win at Nissan Open considered unofficial

In 2005, Adam Scott's win at the Nissan Open was considered unofficial because the tournament was stopped before 54 holes could be completed. The event was reverted to the 36-hole score.

2005: PGA Tour launches 'Drive to a Billion' campaign

In 2005, the PGA Tour launched a campaign called "Drive to a Billion" to push its all-time fundraising tally past one billion dollars, reaching the mark before the end of the season.

2005: PGA Tour Network Launched on XM Satellite Radio

In 2005, the PGA Tour partnered with XM Satellite Radio to launch the PGA Tour Network, now known as Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio, offering event coverage and golf-related talk programming.

2006: Sky Sports Ends as Main UK Broadcaster

In 2006, Sky Sports ceased to be the main broadcaster of the PGA Tour in the United Kingdom after a number of years.

2007: Setanta Sports Wins Exclusive UK and Ireland Rights

In 2007, Setanta Sports secured exclusive UK and Ireland rights for PGA Tour coverage for six years, costing a reported £103 million.

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 was introduced with seven tournaments, starting the week after the Tour Championship.

2007: Tournament in Mexico Introduced

In 2007, a tournament in Mexico was introduced, 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, a division of NBC Sports, has served as the pay television rightsholder of the PGA Tour.

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2008: Michelle Wie continues playing in PGA Tour events

In 2008, Michelle Wie continued to play in PGA Tour events, marking her last year doing so.

2008: Tournament in Puerto Rico Introduced

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

2008: Fall Series Schedule Tweaks

In 2008, the Fall Series schedule was tweaked.

2008: Fall Series took a week off

In 2008, the Fall Series took a week off for the Tour Championship.

2008: Change in Cut Policy Approved

In 2008, the PGA Tour Policy Board approved a change in the number of players that will make the cut. The cut will continue to be low 70 professionals and ties, unless that results in a post-cut field of more than 78 players. The Policy Board announced a revised cut policy, effective beginning with the Honda Classic. The new policy calls for 36-hole cut to the low 70 professionals and ties and, if that cut results in more than 78 players, a second 54-hole cut to the low 70 professionals and ties.

June 23, 2009: Setanta UK Ceases Broadcasting

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

2009: Eurosport Picks Up Television Rights

In 2009, Eurosport acquired the television rights for the remainder of the season after Setanta ceased broadcasting.

2009: Fall Series Schedule Tweaks

In 2009, the Fall Series schedule was tweaked.

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

In 2009, the PGA Tour organized 43 week-to-week events including The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup events, as well as the biennial Presidents Cup. Additionally, it runs 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: PGA Tour raises $108 million for charity

In 2009, the total raised for charity by the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, and Korn Ferry Tour events was approximately $108 million.

2009: Fall Series Changes for 2009

The Fall Series saw major changes for 2009, with one of its events moving to May and another dropping off the schedule entirely. It returned to its original start date of the week after the Tour Championship.

2010: Sky Sports Regains TV Rights

In 2010, Sky Sports regained the TV rights with an eight-year deal, effective until 2017. The SBS Championship was renamed in 2010.

2011: Isabelle Beisiegel earns a Tour card on the Canadian Tour

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: Hyundai Takes Over Title Sponsorship

In 2011, Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai assumed the title sponsorship of the tournament, while SBS remained a sponsor.

2011: NBC granted more extensive digital rights

In 2011, NBC's contract with the PGA Tour granted more extensive digital rights, allowing for supplemental coverage on Golf Channel during broadcast windows.

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2011: Fall Series Reduced to Four Events

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

March 2012: PGA Tour Courage Award Introduced

In March 2012, the PGA Tour introduced the PGA Tour Courage Award, replacing the Comeback Player of the Year award, to recognize players who have overcome extraordinary adversity.

March 20, 2012: Announcement of Radical Changes

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

2012: Top 125 players on the money list retained their 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 format in 2012

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

2013: Top 125 players on both the money list and the FedEx Cup points list retained their 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: Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio Adds Golf Channel Simulcasts

In 2013, Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio expanded its programming to include audio simulcasts of selected Golf Channel programs.

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2013: CIMB Classic and HSBC Champions gain full PGA Tour event status

In 2013, the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and the HSBC Champions in China gained full PGA Tour event status, including official prize money. Before 2013, these events were sanctioned but not considered official PGA Tour events, affecting win classifications and earnings.

2013: Minor Tweak

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

2013: Korn Ferry Tour golfers earn PGA Tour privileges

Since 2013, 50 Korn Ferry Tour golfers earn privileges during the next PGA Tour season. 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 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament

Since 2013, all competitors who made the final phase of Q-School earned status on the Korn Ferry Tour at the start of the following season, with high finishers receiving additional rights.

2013: Korn Ferry Tour Finals eligibility

Since 2013, players who are ranked between 126 and 200 in FedEx Cup points (and are not already exempt by other means) are eligible for entry in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, where they can regain their PGA Tour privileges.

2013: Last Calendar Year Season

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

2013: 2013 Season Details

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. The other event that is considered part of the 2013 season is the biennial Presidents Cup.

2014: FedEx Cup points list changes take effect

In 2014, the PGA Tour implemented a new rule where the top 125 players on the FedEx Cup points list retain their tour cards. The next 75 players, along with the top 75 on the Korn Ferry Tour money list, could compete in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in September, with 50 PGA Tour cards awarded for the following season.

2014: Season Start in October

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

2015: PGA Tour freezes exemption for military service

In 2015, the PGA Tour introduced a clause freezing exemptions for players required to perform military service in their native countries, responding to Bae Sang-moon's situation.

2016: PGA Tour Live Pilot

At the end of the 2016 season, PGA Tour conducted a pilot for PGA Tour Live Coverage.

2016: PGA Tour Priority Ranking System for 2016-17

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

January 1, 2017: Jay Monahan Became Commissioner

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

2017: Sky Sports Deal End Date

In 2017, Sky Sports deal came to an end after having begun in 2010.

2017: PGA Tour Live Coverage on Twitter

In 2017, portions of the PGA Tour Live coverage began to be carried for free via the PGA Tour's Twitter account, following a pilot at the end of the 2016 season.

2017: PGA Tour generated $180 million for charities

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

2017: PGA Tour considers opting out of broadcast television contracts

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

June 2018: Discovery Acquires International Media Rights

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

2018: PGA and PGA Tour Player of the Year award Winners Consistent

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

January 2019: GolfTV Launches Internationally

In January 2019, GolfTV was launched internationally, replacing PGA Tour Live in several markets as existing rights lapsed.

2019: SBS Contract Extended

In 2009, SBS agreed to extend its contract with the PGA Tour through 2019, and became the sponsor of the season's opening tournament in 2010.

2019: PGA Tour Live Operated by NBC Sports Gold

In 2019, operation of PGA Tour Live transitioned to NBC Sports Gold, NBC Sports' subscription streaming platform, which added featured holes coverage during Golf Channel's windows.

March 9, 2020: PGA Tour announces renewal of 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.

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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

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

2020: PGA Tour renews broadcast television rights contracts

In 2020, the PGA Tour renewed its broadcast television rights contracts with CBS Sports and NBC Sports through 2030.

2021: PGA Tour expresses concerns over LIV Golf

In late 2021, the PGA Tour began communicating with White House officials and members of Congress to express concerns regarding LIV Golf, and paid over $400,000 to DLA Piper to lobby lawmakers on LIV Golf proposals.

2021: Sirius XM Contract Renewal

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

2021: PGA Tour Live operated by NBC Sports Gold until 2021

Until 2021, PGA Tour Live was operated under NBC Sports' subscription streaming platform NBC Sports Gold.

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

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. The tour also warned that any future LIV Golf participants would face similar punishment.

July 2022: US Department of Justice investigates PGA Tour

In July 2022, the US Department of Justice initiated an investigation into 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 challenging their suspensions.

November 2022: GolfTV Shuttered

In November 2022, GolfTV was shut down after Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, with the company 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 membership on the PGA Tour to the top-ranked collegiate golfer, starting in 2023.

2022: Last year of PGA Player of the Year award

From 1982 to 2022, the PGA Player of the Year award winner was selected using a points system with points awarded for wins, money list position and scoring average. 2022 was the last year the award was given.

2022: Multiple PGA Player of the Year Award Winners Mentioned

The document references players who have won more than one PGA Player of the Year Award through 2022.

2022: PGA Tour Live moves to ESPN+

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

2022: NBC's exclusive coverage of FedEx Cup playoff tournaments ends

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

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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 an agreement to merge their commercial rights into a single, for-profit entity. The Saudi Public Investment Fund would initially serve as the "exclusive investor", while the PGA Tour would appoint the majority of the board members.

September 2023: Trial scheduled for antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour

The trial for the antitrust lawsuit filed by LIV Golf players against the PGA Tour, which had been ongoing, was scheduled to begin in September 2023.

October 2023: Gordon Sargent Earns PGA Tour Card

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

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

The deadline for completing the PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, and LIV Golf merger deal was December 31, 2023, with reports of potential extensions being negotiated.

January 31, 2024: PGA Tour announces $3 billion investment by Strategic Sports Group

On January 31, 2024, the PGA Tour announced an agreement for a $3 billion investment by Strategic Sports Group (SSG) into its for-profit arm, PGA Tour Enterprises.

2024: The Byron Nelson played annually near Dallas

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

2024: Sargent Defers Membership

Following the conclusion of the 2024 NCAA Division I Championship Gordon Sargent elected to defer his PGA Tour membership and return for his senior year at Vanderbilt.

2024: PGA Tour University Cards expanded for 2024

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 through 2024

The document references players who have won more than one PGA Tour Player of the Year Award through 2024.

April 13, 2025: Top Ten Career Money Leaders Listed

As of April 13, 2025, the document lists the top ten career money leaders on the PGA Tour.

2025: PGA Tour to Produce Dedicated World Feed

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

2025: Signature Events Designated for 2025

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.