Question about tour cards?

[nyjets2806]

I heard them saying on the golf channel that even with tour cards you need sponsers exemptions to get in tournaments, so I was just wondering if getting your tour card from q-school, nationwide, top 125 on money list got you into all the non limited field/major tournaments.

[Shindig]

I heard them saying on the golf channel that even with tour cards you need sponsers exemptions to get in tournaments, so I was just wondering if getting your tour card from q-school, nationwide, top 125 on money list got you into all the non limited field/major tournaments.

I believe the way it works is that the TOUR has various exemption levels (hence the phrase, "all exempt tour"). You apply at the beginning of the year for the various non-invitational tournaments, and somehow you're guaranteed a certain number depending on your exemption level and priority. Tiger, #1 on last year's order of merit, has far more flexibility than someone who finished near the bottom of the 125 who kept their card.

I believe some sponsor exemptions have to go to tour members who otherwise couldn't play in the tournament, such as those in the 126-150 range or previous winners of tournaments. I want to know the truth on this, so if I'm off, someone correct me. :)

[Fried Egg]

I believe some sponsor exemptions have to go to tour members who otherwise couldn't play in the tournament, such as those in the 126-150 range or previous winners of tournaments.

i don't know if sponsors have any restrictions on who they can give exemptions to (eg michelle wie in a pga event). this would be interesting to know.

depending how you get your card, you will fall somewhere on the priority (i forget what the official term is) list for getting into tournaments. for example, someone who finished 125 on the money list will be given priority over someone who got their card through q-school. i do not know the specific breakdown such as who is given priority between the number one guy off the NWT vs the winner at q-school. plus after X number of tournaments, this list gets somewhat reshuffled based on winnings. so if you get off to a hot start, you can move up the list and get into more tournaments.

[NM Golf]

Here is the 2007 PGA tour All-Exempt Tour Priority Rankings. It shows each level how a player qualifies for a PGA event. Majors and non PGA Events are different.

http://www.pgatour.com/players/pgatour-exempt/