Qualifiers for all 2026 Signature Events, THE PLAYERS and majors
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Tiger Woods discusses Brooks Koepka’s return to PGA TOUR
Written by Rob Bolton
It’s rare when the big news of the week doesn’t entail the winner of the PGA TOUR stop that crowned its latest winner, much less in the year-opening edition of this page, but we’ll get to Chris Gotterup in a moment.
The PGA TOUR last Tuesday announced that Brooks Koepka was reinstated as a PGA TOUR member via the new Returning Member Program. As the winner of the 2023 PGA Championship, Koepka now is fully exempt as a member via that victory through his age-38 season of 2028.
As it concerns exemptions yielded by that win, he’s in The Open Championship through 2027 and the Masters through 2028. He already was exempt into the U.S. Open through 2028 as a result of his win at the 2018 U.S. Open that rewarded berths in the next 10 editions of that major. When he won his first of three PGA Championships in 2018, that exempted him for life in that major.
As a term of his reinstatement, Koepka regains eligibility into THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP for which he's exempt through 2028 as a PGA TOUR member. An additional stipulation of the Returning Membership Program is that Koepka will be added to all fields in which he will compete, so the scheduled field for THE PLAYERS now stands at 121.
As for Gotterup’s moment, he prevailed at the Sony Open in Hawaii by two strokes on Sunday.
The 26-year-old closed with a 6-under 64 to post 16-under 264 at Waialae Country Club. Ryan Gerard and Patrick Rodgers each carded a 65 in the finale to place second and third, respectively.
Gotterup’s third PGA TOUR victory in as many seasons extends his membership as a winner through 2028. He’s already exempt into THE PLAYERS and all four majors, so he’ll have to settle with starting the year atop the FedExCup standings.
Now that the 2026 PGA TOUR season has started, all winners of tournaments other than Additional Events gain entry into all remaining Signature Events, but Gotterup also is exempt for the entire series. Rodgers opens atop the first Aon Swing 5 for entry into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
Despite the absence of automatic exemptions at Waialae, Lee Hodges qualified for THE PLAYERS. He opened the season with a Minor Medical Extension for which he needed 2.045 FedExCup points in four starts. That required was no worse than a two-way share of 79th place. So, once Hodges was among the 74 golfers who survived the cut, he merely needed to complete the tournament for the exemption. He made it count with a five-way T6 worth 86 FedExCup points.
Earlier on Sunday, Mateo Pulcini emerged with victory at the Latin America Amateur Championship. The native of Argentina defeated Venezuela’s Virgilio Paz on the second hole of sudden death after the duo concluded regulation in 5-under 275 at Lima Golf Club in Peru.
In addition to the title, Pulcini is rewarded with exemptions into this year’s Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship for which he must remain an amateur to compete in all as the champion of the LAAC. He opened the week at 174th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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 -- Lee Hodges; Brooks Koepka
MAS -- Mateo Pulcini
PGA -- none
US -- Mateo Pulcini
OPEN -- Mateo Pulcini
NOTE: Golfers are omitted if they haven’t competed recently in majors for which they are eligible (e.g., The Open Championship = David Duval, Paul Lawrie).
| Golfer | Qualified |
| Angel Ayora | OPEN |
| Ludvig Åberg | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Rich Beem | PGA |
| Daniel Berger | SE, TPC |
| Christiaan Bezuidenhout | TPC |
| Akshay Bhatia | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Keegan Bradley | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Michael Brennan | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Jacob Bridgeman | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Daniel Brown | OPEN |
| Sam Burns | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Ángel Cabrera | MAS, PGA |
| Brian Campbell | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Laurie Canter | OPEN |
| Patrick Cantlay | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Bud Cauley | SE, TPC |
| Stewart Cink | OPEN |
| Wyndham Clark | TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Darren Clarke | OPEN |
| Eric Cole | TPC |
| Hamilton Coleman | US (must remain an amateur to compete) |
| Corey Conners | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Fred Couples | MAS |
| Martin Couvra | OPEN |
| John Daly | PGA, OPEN |
| Cam Davis | TPC |
| Jason Day | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Bryson DeChambeau | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jason Dufner | PGA |
| Nico Echavarria | TPC |
| Ernie Els | OPEN |
| Harris English | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Ethan Fang | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Tony Finau | TPC |
| Steven Fisk | TPC, PGA |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Tommy Fleetwood | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Rickie Fowler | SE, TPC |
| Ryan Fox | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Sergio Garcia | MAS |
| Ryan Gerard | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Lucas Glover | SE, TPC |
| Chris Gotterup | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Max Greyserman | TPC, MAS |
| Ben Griffin | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Emiliano Grillo | TPC |
| Harry Hall | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Brian Harman | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Padraig Harrington | PGA, US, OPEN |
| Tyrrell Hatton | MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Russell Henley | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jackson Herrington | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Garrick Higgo | TPC |
| Joe Highsmith | TPC, PGA |
| Daniel Hillier | OPEN |
| Ryo Hisatsune | TPC |
| Lee Hodges | TPC |
| Rico Hoey | TPC |
| Tom Hoge | SE, TPC |
| Nicolai Højgaard | TPC, OPEN |
| Rasmus Højgaard | TPC, MAS, *PGA, OPEN |
| Michael Hollick | OPEN |
| Brandon Holtz | MAS, US (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Max Homa | MAS |
| Billy Horschel | OPEN |
| Viktor Hovland | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Mason Howell | MAS, US, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in the Masters and The Open Championship) |
| Mark Hubbard | TPC |
| Mackenzie Hughes | TPC |
| Sungjae Im | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Stephan Jaeger | TPC |
| Miguel Angel Jiménez | TPC |
| Dustin Johnson | MAS, US |
| Zach Johnson | MAS, OPEN |
| Takumi Kanaya | TPC |
| Naoyuki Kataoka | MAS, OPEN |
| Martin Kaymer | PGA |
| Johnny Keefer | TPC, MAS, US |
| Michael Kim | SE, TPC, MAS |
| Si Woo Kim | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Chris Kirk | TPC |
| Kurt Kitayama | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Jake Knapp | TPC |
| Brooks Koepka | TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jackson Koivun | US, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Michael La Sasso | MAS (must remain an amateur to compete) |
| Joakim Lagergren | OPEN |
| Fifa Laopakdee | MAS, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in both) |
| Min Woo Lee | TPC, MAS |
| Justin Leonard | OPEN |
| Haotong Li | MAS, OPEN |
| Shane Lowry | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Robert MacIntyre | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Hideki Matsuyama | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Denny McCarthy | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Matt McCarty | TPC |
| Max McGreevy | TPC |
| Rory McIlroy | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Tom McKibbin | MAS, OPEN |
| Maverick McNealy | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Mac Meissner | TPC |
| Shaun Micheel | PGA |
| Phil Mickelson | MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Keith Mitchell | TPC |
| Francesco Molinari | OPEN |
| Collin Morikawa | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| William Mouw | TPC, PGA |
| Keita Nakajima | OPEN |
| Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen | MAS, OPEN |
| Joaquin Niemann | PGA |
| Alex Noren | MAS, US, OPEN |
| Andrew Novak | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| José Maria Olazábal | MAS |
| Thorbjørn Olesen | TPC |
| Louis Oosthuizen | OPEN |
| Carlos Ortiz | MAS, US |
| John Parry | OPEN |
| Taylor Pendrith | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Marco Penge | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Chandler Phillips | TPC |
| J.T. Poston | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Aldrich Potgieter | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Mateo Pulcini | MAS, US, OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete in all) |
| Jon Rahm | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Aaron Rai | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Chad Ramey | TPC |
| Patrick Reed | MAS |
| Kristoffer Reitan | MAS, OPEN |
| Davis Riley | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Patrick Rodgers | TPC |
| Justin Rose | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Kevin Roy | TPC |
| Adrien Saddier | OPEN |
| Xander Schauffele | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Scottie Scheffler | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Adam Schenk | TPC, PGA |
| Matti Schmid | TPC |
| Charl Schwartzel | MAS |
| Adam Scott | MAS, OPEN |
| Vijay Singh | MAS |
| Alex Smalley | TPC |
| Cameron Smith | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jordan Smith | OPEN |
| Elvis Smylie | OPEN |
| J.J. Spaun | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jordan Spieth | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Henrik Stenson | OPEN |
| Sam Stevens | SE, TPC, MAS |
| Sepp Straka | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Nick Taylor | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Justin Thomas | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Davis Thompson | TPC |
| Michael Thorbjornsen | TPC |
| Sami Valimaki | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Erik van Rooyen | TPC |
| Jhonattan Vegas | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Karl Vilips | TPC |
| Danny Walker | TPC |
| Jimmy Walker | PGA |
| Bubba Watson | MAS |
| Mike Weir | MAS |
| Vince Whaley | TPC |
| Danny Willett | MAS |
| Gary Woodland | TPC, US |
| Tiger Woods | MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Y.E. Yang | PGA |
| Cameron Young | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Kevin Yu | TPC |
REMAINING QUALIFYING CRITERIA
Criteria are listed in chronological order where possible. Best estimates are given but all are subject to change.
Signature Events
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 12-15)
- The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 19-22)
- Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 5-8)
- RBC Heritage (April 16-19)
- Miami Championship (April 30-May 3)
- Truist Championship (May 7-10)
- Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 4-7)
- Travelers Championship (June 25-28)
THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC) at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) – March 12-15
- Winners of PGA TOUR events through the final week before THE PLAYERS.
- Top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Cognizant Classic (March 1).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (March 2).
- If necessary to complete the field of 120, golfers outside the Top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Cognizant on March 1 will gain entry in order of position.
Masters (MAS) at Augusta National Golf Club – April 9-12
- Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points allocation for the TOUR Championship.
- Winner of the South African Open (March 1).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (March 30).
- Special invitations to international players per Masters Tournament Committee as its discretion.
PGA Championship (PGA) at Aronimink Golf Club – May 14-17
- Winners of PGA TOUR events through the final week before the 2026 PGA Championship.
- Top 3 from International Federation Ranking List (TBD).
- Top 3 from Asian Swing ranking on the DP World Tour (TBD).
- Top 20 from PGA Professional Championship (April 29).
- Top 70 from special money list (i.e., "PGA Championship Points") on PGA TOUR from 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge through the Miami Championship (May 3).
- *All 2025 Ryder Cup members inside Top 100 of Official World Golf Ranking (May 4).
- Special exemptions per PGA of America. (This likely will include all golfers from Top 100 of Official World Golf Ranking on May 4.)
- If necessary to complete the field of 156, golfers outside Top 70 from special money list (three lines above) will gain entry in order of position.
U.S. Open (US) at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club – June 18-21
- Winners of multiple PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points allocation since the 2025 U.S. Open.
- Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 15).
- Winner of the Masters (April 12).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top 5, not otherwise exempt, in the FedExCup at the conclusion of a PGA TOUR event TBD in 2026 (TBD).
- Top 2, not otherwise exempt, in the 2025 Race to Dubai at the conclusion of an event TBD in 2026 (TBD).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, in the 2026 Race to Dubai (TBD).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the Top 3 of the LIV Golf Individual Standings (May 18).
- Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (1 of 2) (TBD).
- Final qualifying (TBD).
- Winner of the NCAA Division 1 individual championship, if still an amateur (June 1).
- Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (2 of 2) (TBD).
- Special exemptions per the USGA.
The Open Championship (OPEN) at Royal Birkdale Golf Club -- July 16-19
- Winner of the African Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Feb. 7).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the New Zealand Open (March 1).
- Top 3, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the South African Open Championship (March 1).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Argentina Open (March 1).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 8).
- Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 15).
- Top 2, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at an Asian Tour event (TBD).
- Winner of the Masters (April 12).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the KOLON Korea Open (TBD).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (May 25).
- Top 5 in the Federation Ranking (May 25).
- Top 3, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Mizuno Open (May 31).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 7).
- Top 3, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the RBC Canadian Open (June 14).
- Winner of the British Amateur, if still an amateur (June 20).
- Winner of the U.S. Open (June 21).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Italian Open (June 28).
- Top 5, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the Travelers Championship (June 28).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the LIV Golf Individual Standings at the conclusion of LIV Golf Louisiana (June 28).
- Winner of the European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 27).
- Leader in World Amateur Golf Ranking points accumulated at the St. Andrews Links Trophy (June 7), British Amateur (June 20) and European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 27).
- Final Qualifying. Top 4 at each of four sites (TBD).
- Top 5, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the BMW International Open (July 5).
- Top 3, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open (July 12).
- Winner of the Last-Chance Qualifier (July 13).
