Qualifiers for all 2026 Signature Events, THE PLAYERS and majors
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2025 Ryder Cup preview: Which pairings will we see at Bethpage?
Written by Rob Bolton
One of the revisions affecting the FedExCup Fall is that its winners no longer will receive exemptions into the Masters the following year. Well, that won’t be a problem for the PGA TOUR member who won the Procore Championship on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler is exempt for life into the major as a former champion.
Scheffler prevailed by one at Silverado Resort’s North Course. He was making his tournament debut. He was among 10 Americans headed to the Ryder Cup who capitalized on the timing of the annual stop in Napa, California, not only to compete and stay sharp, but also to connect off the course. Chemistry can be a difference-maker in the biennial exhibition match. The Europeans are forever filled with it.
The usual haul of exemptions reserved for the winner are unnecessary because Scheffler also has qualified for The Sentry, THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA Championship many times over, and his PGA TOUR membership exemption has been extended to its five-year reach through his age-34 season of 2030 for a while.
However, the fields of the U.S. Open and The Open Championship each grew by one on Sunday when Alex Noren took the title at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in England. The 43-year-old Swede prevailed in a playoff with Adrien Saddier of France. Noren clinched with a birdie on the first hole of overtime. It’s his second victory in the tournament (2017).
It’s also Noren’s second victory in his last three starts, so he was already on a trajectory to qualify for all of the majors in 2026. Not too shabby for a talent of a certain age who missed the first four months of the year to recover from a torn glute and hamstring.
The next exemptions into the Masters and the U.S. Open are scheduled to be determined this Thursday. That’s when the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship is scheduled to conclude at Troon Country Club north of Phoenix. Its champion is eligible for both majors provided that he retains his amateur status for each. Three-time Mid-Am champ Stewart Hagestad finished stroke-play qualifying at T3. The 34-year-old is fresh off his second straight triumph as a member of the U.S. Walker Cup team.
NOTE: Until all methods of entry are released by the governing bodies, traditional criteria are used to determine qualifiers. Refer to the remaining qualifying criteria at the bottom of the page for details.
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 -- none
PGA -- none
US -- Alex Noren
OPEN -- Alex Noren
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 |
| Ludvig Åberg | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Rich Beem | PGA |
| Daniel Berger | SE, TPC |
| Akshay Bhatia | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Keegan Bradley | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jacob Bridgeman | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Sam Burns | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Ángel Cabrera | MAS, PGA |
| Brian Campbell | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| 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 |
| Hamilton Coleman | US (must remain an amateur to compete) |
| Corey Conners | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Fred Couples | MAS |
| John Daly | PGA, OPEN |
| Cam Davis | TPC |
| Jason Day | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Bryson DeChambeau | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Thomas Detry | SE, TPC |
| 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 |
| 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, PGA |
| Lucas Glover | SE, TPC |
| Chris Gotterup | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Max Greyserman | TPC |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Tom Hoge | SE, TPC |
| Rasmus Højgaard | *PGA |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| Martin Kaymer | PGA |
| Michael Kim | SE, TPC |
| Si Woo Kim | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Chris Kirk | TPC |
| Kurt Kitayama | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Jake Knapp | TPC |
| Brooks Koepka | 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) |
| Min Woo Lee | TPC |
| 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 |
| Rory McIlroy | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Maverick McNealy | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Shaun Micheel | PGA |
| Phil Mickelson | MAS, PGA, OPEN |
| Francesco Molinari | OPEN |
| Collin Morikawa | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| William Mouw | TPC, PGA |
| Joaquin Niemann | PGA |
| Alex Noren | US, OPEN |
| Andrew Novak | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| José Maria Olazábal | MAS |
| Louis Oosthuizen | OPEN |
| Carlos Ortiz | MAS, US |
| Taylor Pendrith | SE, TPC, PGA |
| J.T. Poston | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Aldrich Potgieter | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| Jon Rahm | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Aaron Rai | TPC |
| Patrick Reed | MAS |
| Davis Riley | TPC, MAS, PGA |
| 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 |
| Charl Schwartzel | MAS |
| Adam Scott | MAS |
| Vijay Singh | MAS |
| Cameron Smith | MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| J.J. Spaun | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Jordan Spieth | TPC, MAS, OPEN |
| Henrik Stenson | OPEN |
| Sam Stevens | SE, TPC |
| Sepp Straka | SE, TPC, MAS, *PGA, US, OPEN |
| Nick Taylor | SE, TPC, MAS, US, OPEN |
| Justin Thomas | SE, TPC, MAS, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Erik van Rooyen | TPC |
| Jhonattan Vegas | SE, TPC, PGA |
| Jimmy Walker | PGA |
| Bubba Watson | MAS |
| Mike Weir | MAS |
| Danny Willett | MAS |
| Gary Woodland | 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
- The Sentry (Jan. 8-11)
- 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.
- Leader of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List at the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance (Oct. 12).
- Leader of the Race to Dubai ranking to earn a PGA TOUR card at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship (Nov. 16).
- Top 100 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of The RSM Classic (Nov. 23).
- 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 U.S. Mid-Amateur, if still an amateur (Sept. 18).
- Winner of the Open de España (Oct. 12).
- Winner of the Japan Open (Oct. 19).
- Winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Oct. 26).
- Winner of the Hong Kong Open (Nov. 2).
- Winner of the Australian Open (Dec. 7).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (Dec. 31).
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 18).
- 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" (link: https://www.pgatour.com/stats/detail/132)) 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 U.S. Mid-Amateur, if still an amateur (Sept. 18).
- Leader of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List at the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance (Oct. 12).
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 18).
- 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 Japan Open (Oct. 19).
- Winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Oct. 26).
- Top 25 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship (Nov. 16).
- Open Qualifying Series (TBD).
- Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 18).
- Winner of the African Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Feb. 7).
- Winner of the 119th VISA Open de Argentina (TBD).
- Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 15).
- Winner of the Masters (April 12).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (TBD).
- Top 5 in the Federation Ranking (TBD).
- Winner of the British Amateur, if still an amateur (June 20).
- Winner of the U.S. Open (June 21).
- Top 5, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR event TBD in 2026 (TBD).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the Top 5 of the LIV Golf Individual Standings (TBD).
- 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 DP World Tour event TBD in 2026 (TBD).
- Winner of the Last-Chance Qualifier (July 13).
