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Number of PGA Tournaments Annually

ByMichael Reeves

← Major Golf Events & Tournaments | Professional Tour Championships


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Quick Answer

  • You’re looking at roughly 40 to 50 PGA Tour events in a typical year.
  • This count includes the regular season events, the four majors, and the big FedExCup Playoffs.
  • The exact number can flex a bit year to year, so always check the official schedule.

Who This Is For

  • Golf junkies who want to know the rhythm of the pro season.
  • Anyone placing bets or playing fantasy golf – you need to know when the action is happening.
  • Casual fans curious about how much golf is actually on the schedule.

What to Check First

  • Hit the official PGA Tour website. It’s your most reliable source for the current season’s schedule. No guessing allowed.
  • Keep an eye out for any late-breaking schedule changes. Sometimes things get moved or added.
  • Lock in the dates and locations for the four major championships: The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. These are the big dogs.

Unpacking the PGA Tour Schedule: How Many PGA Tournaments Per Year?

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Figuring out how many PGA Tour events are on the docket each year isn’t rocket science, but you gotta know where to look. It’s a pretty packed calendar, and understanding it helps you follow the game, place smart bets, or just know when to tune in. I remember trying to track it all my first few years following the tour – it felt like a marathon.

  • Access the Official PGA Tour Schedule: Your first and best move is to go straight to the source. Navigate to the official PGA Tour website. You’ll usually find a prominent “Schedule” or “Tournaments” section. This is where the official word lives.
  • What to look for: A comprehensive, often sortable, list of all events for the current season. It should be easy to see dates, locations, and tournament names.
  • Mistake to avoid: Relying on old news articles, outdated Wikipedia entries, or fan forums. These can be a season or more behind the curve, and you’ll end up with a skewed picture. Trust the official site.
  • Review the Full Tournament List: Once you’re on the schedule page, take a good, long look at all the events listed. Start counting them up. This gives you the foundational number for the year.
  • What to look for: The total number of tournaments presented. This is your baseline figure. Note if they differentiate between regular events and other categories.
  • Mistake to avoid: Only counting the events that look like standard weekend tournaments. You’ll miss the crucial, higher-profile events that significantly impact the tour’s structure and importance.
  • Identify the Four Major Championships: These are the marquee events, the ones everyone talks about. They have a special place in the golf world and are always part of the PGA Tour’s annual structure.
  • What to look for: The Masters Tournament (held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia), the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (often called the British Open). Make sure you know their specific dates and where they’re being played this year.
  • Mistake to avoid: Underestimating the importance of the majors or forgetting to include them in your total count. They are not just another tournament; they are the pinnacle of the sport.
  • Don’t Forget the FedExCup Playoffs: This is the grand finale. These aren’t just a couple of extra tournaments; they are a high-stakes series that crowns the FedExCup Champion and signifies the end of the official PGA Tour season.
  • What to look for: The three playoff events: typically The Northern Trust, the BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship. These are crucial for understanding the season’s conclusion and the overall number of significant events.
  • Mistake to avoid: Thinking the regular season schedule is the complete picture. The playoffs are a distinct and vital part of the PGA Tour year, and failing to include them means you’re missing a significant chunk of the competitive calendar.

Navigating the PGA Tour’s Annual Tournament Landscape

Understanding the total number of PGA Tour events each year gives you a solid framework for following the sport. It’s not just about how many tournaments there are, but also about recognizing the different types of events and their significance. The PGA Tour schedule is a carefully constructed season designed to build drama and showcase talent, culminating in the FedExCup Playoffs.

  • Step 1: Locate the Official Schedule. Your first action is to navigate to the official PGA Tour website. Look for the “Schedule” or “Tournaments” section. This is the definitive source.
  • What to look for: A clear, up-to-date list of all events for the current season, usually presented chronologically.
  • Mistake to avoid: Relying on outdated information from third-party sites or old news articles. Schedules can change, and official sources are always the most accurate.
  • Step 2: Count the Regular Season Events. Browse through the schedule and count all the tournaments that aren’t designated as majors or playoff events. These form the bulk of the PGA Tour’s annual offerings.
  • What to look for: The total number of standard tour events. This gives you a baseline understanding of the year’s competitive frequency.
  • Mistake to avoid: Stopping your count here. This number alone doesn’t represent the full scope of the PGA Tour season.
  • Step 3: Add in the Four Major Championships. Specifically identify and count The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. These are the most prestigious events on the golf calendar.
  • What to look for: The confirmed dates and venues for each of the four majors. They are always included in the PGA Tour’s overall schedule.
  • Mistake to avoid: Confusing the dates of the majors with regular tour events or assuming they are separate from the official PGA Tour schedule. They are integral to it.
  • Step 4: Include the FedExCup Playoffs. The season doesn’t end after the final regular tournament. The FedExCup Playoffs are a three-event series that culminates the year.
  • What to look for: The names of the three playoff tournaments: The Northern Trust, the BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship. Note their placement at the end of the season.
  • Mistake to avoid: Overlooking the playoffs as part of the total tournament count. They are crucial, high-stakes events that define the season’s conclusion.
  • Step 5: Sum It All Up. Add the number of regular season events, the four majors, and the three playoff tournaments together. This gives you the total number of official PGA Tour events for the year.
  • What to look for: A final number that reflects the complete annual schedule.
  • Mistake to avoid: Miscalculating or forgetting to include one of the categories. Double-checking your addition is key.

Common Mistakes When Counting PGA Tour Tournaments

  • Assuming a Fixed Number Each Year — The PGA Tour schedule can see minor adjustments annually due to new events being added, existing ones being moved, or venue changes. — Always refer to the official PGA Tour website for the most current and accurate schedule for any given year.
  • Forgetting to Count the Majors — The four major championships (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship) are the most prestigious events and are critical components of the PGA Tour season, significantly impacting the total count of high-profile tournaments. — Ensure all four majors are explicitly identified and included in your tally of annual events.
  • Overlooking the FedExCup Playoffs — The FedExCup Playoffs consist of three crucial, high-stakes tournaments that serve as the season’s climax, determining the FedExCup champion. They are a distinct phase of the tour year. — Make sure to add these three playoff tournaments to your annual count to get a complete picture of the competitive schedule.
  • Relying on Outdated Information — Schedules are dynamic. An article or list from a few years ago may not reflect the current season’s structure, number of events, or even the names of certain tournaments. — Prioritize the official PGA Tour schedule published for the current season to ensure accuracy.
  • Not Differentiating Event Types — While all are PGA Tour events, understanding the difference between regular events, invitationals, majors, and playoff events provides a richer context for the season’s narrative and significance. — Recognize that the total count is an aggregate of different event categories, each with its own implications for players and fans.
  • Excluding Team Events — Major team competitions like the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, while significant in the golf world and featuring PGA Tour players, are typically exhibition events and not counted within the official PGA Tour annual tournament schedule. — Be aware that these team events are separate from the individual stroke-play tournaments that make up the bulk of the PGA Tour season.

FAQ

  • How many regular PGA Tour events are there each year?

Typically, there are between 35 and 40 regular season PGA Tour events. This number excludes the four major championships and the three FedExCup Playoff tournaments, which are counted separately.

  • What are the four major championships in professional golf?

The four major championships are The Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (often referred to as the British Open). These are the most prestigious events on the golf calendar.

  • When do the FedExCup Playoffs typically take place?

The FedExCup Playoffs usually commence in August and conclude with the Tour Championship, held in late August or early September. This three-event series wraps up the official PGA Tour season.

  • Does the number of tournaments change significantly from year to year?

While the core structure remains consistent, the exact number of PGA Tour events can vary slightly each year. This fluctuation can be due to the addition or removal of specific tournaments, changes in event rotation, or the scheduling of international events. It’s always best to check the official PGA Tour schedule for the most accurate count for the current season.

  • Are team events like the Ryder Cup included in the PGA Tour annual count?

No, major team events such as the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup are considered separate exhibitions. They feature PGA Tour players but are not part of the official PGA Tour tournament schedule used for calculating the annual number of events.

  • How many players typically compete in a PGA Tour event?

The field size can vary depending on the tournament. Regular PGA Tour events often feature fields of 132 players. The major championships typically have larger fields, often around 150 players, though eligibility criteria are stricter. The Tour Championship, the final playoff event, has a significantly smaller field, usually around 30 players.

  • What is the significance of the “signature events” on the PGA Tour?

Signature events are a newer category of tournaments designed to attract the strongest fields and offer increased prize money and FedExCup points. While they are part of the overall schedule, they are often highlighted due to their elevated status and the concentration of top-ranked players they attract, similar to the majors in terms of player strength.

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