There are five ways to become a PGA TOUR member eligible to compete in PGA TOUR events subject to PGA TOUR regulations.

1. Finish within the top 30 and ties at the annual Qualifying Tournament.

2. Win a co-sponsored or approved PGA TOUR event.

3. Finish among the top 150 players on the official money list in a year (through sponsor exemptions, foreign exemptions, open qualifying or section qualifying, etc.)

4. Win during the course of a PGA TOUR season an amount of official money (by playing in PGA TOUR events through sponsor exemptions, foreign exemptions, open qualifying or section qualifying, etc.) equal to the amount won in the preceding year by the 150th finisher on the official money list.

5. Finish in the top 20 on the official Nationwide Tour money list.

In most PGA TOUR open events there is an open qualifying round conducted by the PGA Section where the event is being played. The four low scorers (unless otherwise indicated) will advance to that event. This open qualifying round is normally held the Monday of tournament week and is open to all professionals and amateurs with a USGA handicap of 2 or less.

The PGA Section qualifying round is also held in conjunction with most PGA TOUR open events. This is for all PGA members who belong to that Section where the event is being played. Two low scorers advance to the event. The Monday preceding the tournament week is normally used for this competition. The current Section champion or player of the year is also exempted into most PGA TOUR open events.