PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is an organization that operates the main professional golf tours in the USA. Its name is officially rendered in all caps as “PGA TOUR”. The PGA Tour became a separate entity in 1968, branching off from the PGA of America, which is now primarily an association of club professionals.

Tours operated by the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour runs the “fifth major,” The Players Championship, the Presidents Cup, and all the other regular events on the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour operates three tours, which are played mostly in the U.S., with occasional events in Canada and Mexico, and one major championship in the U.K. The PGA Tour also conducts an annual Qualifying Tournament (known colloquially as Q-School), a six-round tournament held each fall; the top 30 finishers, including ties, receive privileges to play on the following year’s PGA Tour. Other upper-level finishers receive privileges on the Nationwide Tour.

Women on the circuit

Similar to other major league sports, there is no rule limiting PGA Tour players to ‘men only.’ In 2003, Annika Sörenstam and Suzy Whaley played in PGA Tour events, and Michelle Wie has done so in each year from 2004 through 2007. None of these three made the cut, although Wie missed by only one stroke in 2004.

The PGA Tour places a strong emphasis on charity fundraising, usually on behalf of local charities in cities where events are staged. With the exception of a few older events, PGA Tour rules require all Tour events to be non-profit; the Tour itself is also a non-profit company.