Where Is Jason Dufner Now? An Update on His Golf Career

Jason Dufner is no longer a regular on the PGA Tour. The 2013 PGA Champion has stepped back from full-time competition and now splits his time between coaching college golf at Auburn University, working as a part‑time TV analyst for Golf Channel, and making only a handful of tournament starts each year through past champion status. For fans hoping to watch him play, the key boundary to understand is that his past champion exemption caps his starts at roughly 10–12 events per season and does not guarantee entry — he must tee it up only in events that accept the exemption, meaning he cannot simply show up anywhere.

Where Is Jason Dufner Now in 2025?

As of early spring 2025, Dufner has not yet made a PGA Tour start this year. His last appearance was the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, where he opened with rounds of 72 and 77 to miss the cut by seven strokes. That tournament was one of only five starts he made in the entire 2024 season — the lowest total of his professional career since he turned pro in 2000.

He remains a resident of Auburn, Alabama, living about a mile from the university’s golf facilities. When not traveling for limited playing or media duties, he is typically on the practice range at Auburn’s home course, the Auburn University Club, working with players from the men’s team.

Limited PGA Tour Activity Since 2023

Dufner lost his full PGA Tour card after the 2021–22 season and has relied on the past champion exemption to enter events. His starts have become increasingly rare, and his results have reflected the rust:

• 2023 season: Played 10 events, made 3 cuts. His best finish was a T‑25 at the AT&T Byron Nelson, where he shot 68-71-67-69 to finish at 13‑under. He also made the cut at the John Deere Classic (T‑53) and the Barracuda Championship (T‑59). He missed the cut at the PGA Championship (by 8 shots) and the Memorial (by 5).
• 2024 season: Entered 5 events — the Farmers Insurance Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro‑Am, Valspar Championship, RBC Heritage, and PGA Championship. He missed the cut in all except the PGA Championship, where he posted 72-77 to finish T‑68 among the 75 players who made the weekend.
• 2025 (through mid‑March): No starts recorded. He did not commit to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship, or any early‑season events where his past champion status would have been honored.

His last top‑10 finish on tour remains a T‑10 at the 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge. Since then, he has not recorded a top‑25 result. That level of limited activity reflects a deliberate shift away from a full playing schedule — Dufner has said in several interviews that he no longer feels the need to chase points or FedExCup standings.

How the Past Champion Exemption Works

Dufner’s past champion status (awarded to all PGA Championship winners) allows him to enter events that allocate spots for past champions. In practice, that includes:

• The PGA Championship (lifetime exemption)
• The Memorial Tournament (invitation based on past champion status)
• The AT&T Byron Nelson (past champion exemption)
• The John Deere Classic (open qualifier field)
• The Charles Schwab Challenge (past champion status)

For other full‑field events, he can request a sponsor exemption, but he has not actively pursued that route since 2023.

Practical implication: If you want to watch Dufner play in 2025, your best bets are the Memorial (June), the AT&T Byron Nelson (May), or the PGA Championship (May). Check the official field list about two weeks before each tournament — if his name appears, he has committed.

Coaching at Auburn University

The most concrete change in Dufner’s career came in 2021 when he joined the Auburn men’s golf program as a volunteer assistant coach under head coach Nick Clinard. He does not receive a salary — the role is purely a way to stay involved in competitive golf without the grind of tour life.

Specific Impact on Players

• Carson Bacha (Auburn 2021–2023): Bacha credited Dufner with improving his ball‑striking lineup, specifically the ability to hit low‑launching iron shots into wind. Bacha went on to qualify for the 2022 U.S. Amateur and signed a professional contract after graduating.
• J.M. Butler (Auburn 2022–present): Butler, who qualified for the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, worked extensively with Dufner on short‑game wedge distance control.
• Team performance: Auburn made the NCAA Regional in 2022 and 2023, reaching the semifinals of the SEC Championship in 2023. The program also signed the No. 11 recruiting class in the nation for 2024, with multiple recruits citing Dufner’s presence as a factor in their commitment.

Dufner typically spends three to four days per week on the practice range during the fall and spring semesters, and he travels to major tournaments with the team about four times per season. He is known for standing behind the players with a laser rangefinder, offering real‑time feedback on club selection and yardage numbers.

For Auburn golf fans: You can see Dufner on the range during home tournaments at the Auburn University Club, especially the Tiger Invitational (typically late February) and the SEC Championships (late April). He is also a familiar face at Auburn’s indoor practice facility, which features TrackMan launch monitors and a Sam PuttLab system.

Media Roles and TV Appearances

Dufner has become a reliable on‑camera analyst during major championship weeks. His dry, self-deprecating humor and the ability to break down swing positions in plain English have made him a natural fit for broadcast.

Concrete Examples

• Golf Channel’s Live From (2024 Masters): Dufner appeared in the studio for three segments during the final round, analyzing the ball‑striking of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. He notably pointed out Scheffler’s hip‑turn pattern as a key to his consistency.
• PGA Tour Radio (2024 FedExCup Playoffs): He was a guest analyst on the Tuesday and Wednesday preview shows, discussing course strategy for East Lake Golf Club.
• YouTube content: In 2023, Dufner filmed a six‑minute instructional video for the PGA Tour’s YouTube channel titled “Jason Dufner’s Knock‑Down Iron Drill.” The video has over 2.1 million views and remains one of the most popular short‑form strategy pieces on the channel.
• Podcast appearances: He has appeared multiple times on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast and No Laying Up, where he discussed his approach to course management and the mental side of tournament golf.

Mismatch/trade‑off: Because his analyst work is limited to major championships and special events, viewers cannot expect to see him on every weekly telecast. If you tune in to a regular‑season event like the Honda Classic or the Zurich Classic, he will almost certainly not be on the air.

What’s Next for Dufner?

Dufner gives every indication he intends to stay involved in golf but on his own terms. His next few years will likely involve:

• Occasional starts: He will continue using his past champion status to enter 6–10 events per year, especially at courses he knows well (PGA Championship, Memorial, Byron Nelson). To verify whether he has committed to an upcoming event, visit the PGA Tour’s tournament page and look for the “Field” tab — players using past champion exemptions are listed by name about two weeks before the tournament date.
• Continued coaching: Expect him to remain at Auburn as long as the role suits his schedule. He has not announced any plan to pursue a paid head‑coaching position, and the volunteer label allows him to stay without the administrative burden.
• Media flexibility: More TV appearances during majors, but no regular anchor gig. He has hinted that he enjoys the pace of analysis work and may expand into more digital content.
• Senior tour timeline: He turns 50 in March 2027, opening eligibility for PGA Tour Champions. If his ball‑striking stays sharp — he still ranks among the best on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach per round when he does play — that second act could be competitive. The senior tour is less reliant on driving distance, and Dufner’s iron play and course management could translate well.

For now, Dufner is not retired, but he is definitively in a new phase — less spotlight, more balance, and a deliberate focus on influencing the next generation. If you want to see him play in person, his limited PGA Tour schedule means you should target the few events he historically enters and confirm his commitment two weeks out. If you want to see him coach, a trip to Auburn during the spring season is your best bet.

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FAQ

Is Jason Dufner still playing on the PGA Tour?

He retains past champion status and can enter a limited number of events, but he is not a full‑time competitor. He played only five events in 2024 and has not made a start in 2025 as of mid‑March.

What is Jason Dufner doing for work now?

He serves as a volunteer assistant golf coach at Auburn University and works as a part‑time TV analyst for Golf Channel, mainly during major championships.

Will Jason Dufner try the senior tour?

Yes, when he turns 50 in March 2027 he will be eligible for PGA Tour Champions. Many expect him to compete there, given his ball‑striking strengths and the tour’s shorter course setups.