PGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem announces the new TOUR qualifying procedures during a news conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Photo Courtesy: The Golf Channel
GREENSBORO, N.C. – With Tuesday’s announcement of the PGA TOUR’s new structure of its qualifying procedure, the Wyndham Championship will enjoy increased focus as not only the last regular-season event before the FedExCup Playoffs, but also the final opportunity for players to make the top-125 in FedExCup points and guarantee themselves playing privileges for the following season.
Since the FedExCup format began in 2007, the Wyndham has been the last chance to earn enough FedExCup points to qualify for the playoffs the following week, but after the TOUR Championship, golfers could play the Fall Series events to earn points to reach the top-125 in the final standings and keep their TOUR cards.
Starting in 2013, the top 125 will be set following the Wyndham, and the next 75 players in points will join the top-75 finishers on the Nationwide Tour for three qualifying tournaments after which the top-50 players will earn their PGA TOUR cards for the following season. The remaining golfers will play on the Nationwide Tour. PGA TOUR Qualifying School will remain, but its top finishers will earn Nationwide Tour access.
“We are excited to announce these significant changes, as we strongly believe that they will strengthen both Tours,” Finchem said. “The Nationwide Tour, which has proven to be the most effective indicator of future success on the PGA TOUR, will now become the primary path to the TOUR starting in 2013 by awarding all 50 cards. And with the restructuring, those final three events will create a particularly exciting and dramatic finish to the season.”
“The Wyndham Championship is now the last chance to make the Playoffs and the last chance to guarantee a TOUR card,” Wyndham tournament director Mark Brazil said. “That’s great news for our PGA TOUR event because finishing the Wyndham in the top 125 will mean a great deal more than just making the playoffs. It means a golfer is guaranteed to have a card for the next season. That’s a very important dual emphasis on the Wyndham Championship, and we welcome the competition that will take place as players fight to keep their cards and make the playoffs.”
Also starting in 2013, the 2014 PGA TOUR season will begin in October of 2013 after the FedExCup Playoffs are complete. The 2013 fall events will award an undetermined number of 2014 FedExCup points.
“In regard to the change to the start of the PGA TOUR season, the fall tournaments certainly will benefit by becoming part of the FedExCup season,” Finchem said. “But the benefit also extends to FedEx, our telecasts of those tournaments and the understanding among fans that there’s a true finality to the season, with the FedExCup and eligibility for the PGA TOUR concluding at the same time.”
Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the seventh-oldest event on the PGA TOUR. Tickets will be available soon at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Worldwide, presenting sponsor BB&T and Premier Partners, Flow Automotive, Harris Teeter, McConnell Golf, Sunbrella®, Technology Concepts & Design, Inc. and VF Corporation for their continued support. Additional tournament information, including ticket packages and sponsorship information, is available at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.
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