Goodbye PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Canada, hello PGA Tour Americas.
In February 2024, two third-level tours are going to merge into one tour as the PGA Tour grows and develops its product. The restructure aims to create a more competitive and efficient pathway for golfers looking to advance their careers.
PGA Tour Americas is holding 16 events in Latin America, Canada, and the United States between February and September. Up to 15 Korn Ferry Tour Cards are available as well as many exemptions for various stages of PGA Tour Qu-School.
Alex Baldwin, President of the Korn Ferry Tour, said: “We are excited about PGA Tour Americas as we continue to build on the rich history of golf in Latin America and Canada. This tour will help players prepare for their next professional golf journey.”
How will this all work out?
Schedule
In September, the full schedule for 2024 PGA Tour Americas will be released. The final details on eligibility, priority rankings, purses, and point distribution will be revealed closer to the first event in February of 2024. Here’s a brief outline:
- The season starts in February, with the Latin America Swing. It ends in May.
- The PGA Tour Americas then hosts a mid-season qualifying school and will introduce a few PGA Tour University graduates.
- From June to September, the North America Swing will continue the season. Players will compete in Canada and the U.S.
Latin America Swing: Eligibility
The fields for the Latin America Swing will be 144 players. The top 60 players in the PGA Tour Latinoamerica point list for 2022-23, as well as those at the top of the PGA Tour Canada point list for 2023 will be eligible to compete. The following routes are also available for players to qualify ( Priority Ranking will be Announced)
- 2023 PGA Tour Qu-School
- Latinoamerica Dev Series
- The highest finisher in the APGA 2023 season-long point list that is a part of the APGA Player Development Program
North America Swing: Eligibility
The top 60 players of the Latin America Swing continue to compete at the North America Swing, which will take place from June to September 2024. This time the field will be increased to 156. Top 50 players from the PGA Tour Americas Q-School, as well as Nos. The top 6-20 players from PGA Tour University are also eligible. The following routes are also available for players to qualify ( priority rankings will be announced).
- Open qualification and sponsor exemptions
- Korn Ferry Tour
- Additional finishers Latin America Swing / PGA Tour Americas Q-School
Performance Benefits
Top 10 finishers in the PGA Tour Americas season-long points list earn Korn Ferry Tour Membership. The top two finishers of the Latin America Swing, and the top 3 finishers of the North America Swing will receive five conditional Korn Ferry Tour memberships.
All top 10 finishers in the PGA Tour Americas point list, as well as the top two players from the Latin America Swing, and the top 3 players from the North America Swing, will receive exemptions for the Final Stage of PGA Tour Qu-School.
All of the following players are eligible for an exemption to the second stage of PGA Tour’s Q-School.
- Nos. Nos. 11-25 on PGA Tour Americas point list
- Nos. Nos. 3-10 from Latin America Swing
- Nos. Nos. 4-10 of the North America Swing.
All remaining PGA Tour Americas Members will receive exemptions for the First Stage Q-School.
Why it makes sense
The Latinoamerican and Canada tours did essentially the same thing, but on a different timetable from the two tours they were supposed to feed: the Korn Ferry Tour PGA Tour.
Aside from streamlining a confusing pathway to the Tour, the merge will also put all three levels – PGA Tour Americas, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour – on the same operating schedule in a January-September/October window. Most PGA Tour players compete in the Fall Series from October to December. All other players will compete in Q-School for exemptions and status.
Fans and players will benefit from a system that is easier to understand and offers more rewards for good play. The Tour will have to wait and see if it was the right decision, but the theory is sound.
By: Adam Woodard
Title: PGA Tour Americas merges Latinoamerica and Canada tours, aims to create a more efficient, competitive pathway for players
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/04/25/golf-pga-tour-americas-latinoamerica-canada-merger/
Published Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:06:33 +0000
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