Qualifiers for all 2027 Signature Events, The Players and majors
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Austin Smotherman wins 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship in playoff
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For the second time in as many PGA Tour stops, the winner of the tournament generated an exemption into a major that wasn’t up for grabs for just anyone. Michael Brennan turned the trick at the Baycurrent Classic two weeks ago. Then, after the last break of the season, Austin Smotherman replicated the achievement at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Smotherman defeated Seamus Power on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff at Port Royal Golf Course on the western edge of Bermuda on Monday. The final round was banged due to high winds, so the duo returned to the course the next day to decide who would leave the archipelago as the sole survivor. When Smotherman’s third straight par on the par-3 16th clinched victory, he not only secured his second PGA Tour title in as many starts of his own, but he triggered a provision that yielded an exemption into the 2027 U.S. Open.
Just like Brennan, who also won the Wyndham Championship that concluded the regular season, because both of Smotherman’s wins occurred in tournaments with the full distribution of FedExCup points since the 2026 edition of the major hosted by the USGA, the 32-year-old is now eligible for it next year. He already had punched a ticket into The Players Championship and the PGA Championship with his breakthrough victory at the Bank of Utah Championship. Augusta National Golf Club does not reward winners of FedExCup Fall events with exemptions into the Masters, but Smotherman will climb to within reach of the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking when it updates following his second title. The top 50 in the last edition of the formula this year will be exempt into the 2027 Masters. In his only career start in a major, Smotherman missed the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship.
On Sunday, and as scheduled, the Hong Kong Open concluded at Hong Kong Golf Club. Like others in the series of national opens, Augusta National reserved a berth into the Masters for the winner, while the R&A rewarded the top finisher who made the cut and was not already exempt into The Open Championship a spot in the 2027 staging of the major it hosts.
With a 6-under 64 in the final round, John Catlin was not only the lowest among the trio that shared the 54-hole lead, but he carded the lowest round of the finale and won by five, so he wrangled both exemptions. Catlin has never appeared in the Masters, but he’s 1-for-4 in made cuts at The Open Championship with a T16 at Royal Troon in 2024.
Catlin is from Sacramento, California, and played collegiately at the University of New Mexico. He’s also played professionally all over the world, and he’s a winner many times globally, including thrice on the DP World Tour, but the 35-year-old has never been a PGA Tour member, instead scattering 16 starts across six seasons through 2025.
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SE = All Signature Events
TPC = The Players Championship
MAS = Masters
PGA = PGA Championship
US = U.S. Open
OPEN = The Open Championship
Recent additions
SE -- none
TPC -- none
MAS -- John Catlin
PGA -- none
US -- Austin Smotherman
OPEN -- John Catlin
NOTE: Golfers are omitted if they haven’t competed recently in majors for which they are eligible (e.g., Masters = Trevor Immelman; The Open Championship = Paul Lawrie.
| Golfer | Qualified |
| Ludvig Åberg | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Andrew Bailey | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Rich Beem | PGA |
| Daniel Berger | TPC |
| Akshay Bhatia | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Keegan Bradley | PGA |
| Michael Brennan | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US |
| Jacob Bridgeman | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Sam Burns | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Ángel Cabrera | MAS |
| Patrick Cantlay | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Ricky Castillo | TPC |
| John Catlin | MAS, OPEN |
| Bud Cauley | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Stewart Cink | OPEN |
| Wyndham Clark | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Darren Clarke | OPEN |
| Eric Cole | SE, TPC |
| Corey Conners | TPC |
| Pierceson Coody | TPC |
| Fred Couples | MAS |
| John Daly | PGA, OPEN |
| Jason Day | MAS, PGA |
| Bryson DeChambeau | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jason Dufner | PGA |
| David Duval | OPEN |
| Nico Echavarria | SE, TPC |
| Ernie Els | OPEN |
| Harris English | TPC, PGA |
| Steven Fisk | TPC, PGA |
| Alex Fitzpatrick | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Tommy Fleetwood | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Grant Forrest | MAS, OPEN |
| Rickie Fowler | SE, TPC |
| Ryan Fox | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Sergio Garcia | MAS |
| Ryan Gerard | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Chris Gotterup | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Stuart Grehan | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Max Greyserman | PGA |
| Ben Griffin | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Harry Hall | TPC |
| Brian Harman | TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Padraig Harrington | PGA, US, OPEN |
| Tyrrell Hatton | MAS, PGA, US |
| Russell Henley | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Lucas Herbert | OPEN |
| Angel Hidalgo | OPEN |
| Ryo Hisatsune | SE, TPC |
| Nicolai Højgaard | SE, TPC |
| Rasmus Højgaard | PGA |
| Max Homa | TPC, MAS |
| Billy Horschel | OPEN |
| Yusaka Hosono | MAS, OPEN |
| Viktor Hovland | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Sungjae Im | SE, TPC |
| Casey Jarvis | OPEN |
| Dustin Johnson | MAS |
| Zach Johnson | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Martin Kaymer | PGA |
| Jerry Kelly | OPEN |
| Michael Kim | TPC |
| Si Woo Kim | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Tom Kim | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Kurt Kitayama | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Jake Knapp | SE, TPC, MAS |
| Brooks Koepka | TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jackson Koivun | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Min Woo Lee | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Jay Leng, Jr. | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Justin Leonard | OPEN |
| Shane Lowry | TPC, PGA, OPEN |
| Robert MacIntyre | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Noah Maclauchlan | US (must remain an amateur to compete) |
| Hideki Matsuyama | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Stefano Mazzoli | TPC, PGA |
| Matt McCarty | SE, TPC |
| Rory McIlroy | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Maverick McNealy | SE, TPC |
| Shaun Micheel | PGA |
| Phil Mickelson | MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Keith Mitchell | TPC, MAS, US |
| Francesco Molinari | OPEN |
| Collin Morikawa | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen | OPEN |
| Joaquin Niemann | US |
| Alex Noren | SE, TPC, OPEN |
| José Maria Olazábal | MAS |
| Louis Oosthuizen | OPEN |
| J.T. Poston | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US |
| Aldrich Potgieter | TPC |
| Jon Rahm | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Aaron Rai | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Patrick Reed | MAS, PGA |
| Kristoffer Reitan | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Patrick Rodgers | TPC |
| Justin Rose | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Xander Schauffele | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Scottie Scheffler | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Matti Schmid | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Charl Schwartzel | MAS |
| Adam Scott | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Vijay Singh | MAS, PGA |
| Alex Smalley | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Cameron Smith | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jordan Smith | TPC |
| Austin Smotherman | TPC, PGA, US |
| Brandt Snedeker | TPC |
| J.J. Spaun | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jordan Spieth | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Ross Steelman | TPC, US |
| Henrik Stenson | OPEN |
| Sam Stevens | TPC, US |
| Preston Stout | MAS, US, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in all) |
| Sepp Straka | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Nick Taylor | TPC |
| Sahith Theegala | SE, TPC |
| Justin Thomas | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Michael Thorbjornsen | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Jimmy Walker | PGA |
| Bubba Watson | MAS |
| Mike Weir | MAS |
| Jack Whaley | MAS, US, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in the Masters and The Open) |
| Danny Willett | MAS |
| Gary Woodland | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Tiger Woods | MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Y.E. Yang | PGA |
| Sudarshan Yellamaraju | TPC |
| Cameron Young | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
REMAINING QUALIFYING CRITERIA
Criteria are listed in chronological order where possible. Until all are confirmed, best estimates are given and all are subject to change.
Signature Events
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 4-7)
- The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 18-21)
- Cadillac Championship (March 4-7)
- Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 18-21)
- RBC Heritage (April 15-18)
- Truist Championship (May 13-16)
- the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 3-6)
- Travelers Championship (June 24-27)
The Players Championship (TPC) at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) – March 11-14
- Winners of PGA Tour events through the final week before The Players.
- Leader of the Race to Dubai ranking to earn a PGA Tour card at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship (Nov. 15).
- Top 100 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of The RSM Classic (Nov. 22).
- Top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (Feb. 28).
- Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (March 1).
- If necessary to complete the field of 120, golfers outside the top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Cognizant Classic on Feb. 28 will gain entry in order of position.
Masters (MAS) at Augusta National Golf Club – April 8-11
- Winners of PGA Tour events that award full FedExCup points allocation for the Tour Championship.
- Winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Nov. 1).
- Winner of the Australian Open (Dec. 6).
- Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (Dec. 31).
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 17).
- Winner of the South African Open (March 7).
- Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (March 29).
- Special invitations to international players per Masters Tournament Committee at its discretion.
PGA Championship (PGA) at PGA Frisco – May 20-23
- Winners of PGA Tour events through the final week before the 2027 PGA Championship.
- Top three from International Federation Ranking List (TBD).
- Winner of the Senior PGA Championship (April 18).
- Top 20 from PGA Professional Championship (April 28).
- Top three from Asian Swing ranking on the DP World Tour (May 2).
- Top 70 from special money list (i.e., "PGA Championship Points") on PGA Tour from 2026 Truist Championship/Myrtle Beach Classic through the Valspar Championship (May 9).
- Special exemptions per PGA of America. (This likely will include all golfers from the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking on May 9.)
- If necessary to complete the field of 156, golfers outside top 70 from special money list (two lines above) will gain entry in order of position.
U.S. Open (US) at Pebble Beach Golf Links – June 17-20
- Winners of multiple PGA Tour events that award full FedExCup points allocation since the 2026 U.S. Open.
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 17).
- Winner of The Players Championship (March 14).
- Winner of the Masters (April 11).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 23).
- Top five, not otherwise exempt, in the FedExCup at the conclusion of a PGA Tour event TBD in 2027 (TBD).
- Top two, not otherwise exempt, in the 2026 Race to Dubai at the conclusion of an event TBD in 2027 (TBD).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, in the 2027 Race to Dubai (TBD).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the top three of the LIV Golf Individual Standings (TBD).
- Top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking (1 of 2) (TBD).
- Final qualifying (TBD).
- Winner of the NCAA Division I individual championship, if still an amateur (June 2).
- Top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking (2 of 2) (TBD).
- Special exemptions per the USGA.
The Open Championship (OPEN) at St. Andrews Links (Old Course) – July 15-18
- Winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Nov. 1).
- Top 25 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship (Nov. 15).
- Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Australian Open (Dec. 6).
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 17).
- Winner of the Africa Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (TBD).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the New Zealand Open (Feb. 28).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the 120th Open de Argentina (TBD).
- Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the South African Open (March 7).
- Winner of The Players Championship (March 14).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 21).
- Winner of the Masters (April 11).
- Top two, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Singapore Open (April 18).
- Top four in the Federation Ranking (May 20).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the KOLON Korea Open (May 23).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 23).
- Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (May 24).
- Top two, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Mizuno Open (May 30).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 6).
- Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the RBC Canadian Open (June 13).
- Winner of the British Amateur, if still an amateur (June 19).
- Winner of the U.S. Open (June 20).
- Winner of the European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 26).
- Leader in World Amateur Golf Ranking points accumulated at the St. Andrews Links Trophy (TBD), British Amateur (June 19) and European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 26).
- Top five, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the Open d'Italia (June 27).
- Top five, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Travelers Championship (June 27).
- Final Qualifying (June 29).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Irish Open (July 4).
- Top finisher, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the John Deere Classic (July 4).
- Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open (July 11).
- Winner of the Last-Chance Qualifier (July 12).
