Qualifiers for all 2026 Signature Events, THE PLAYERS and majors
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Highlights | Round 4 | The Genesis
Written by Rob Bolton
Talk about a Hollywood ending to conclude the West Coast Swing just outside Los Angeles, replete with suspense and a leading man.
With a par conversion from 41 inches on his final hole of The Genesis Invitational, Jacob Bridgeman prevailed by one stroke at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. It’s his breakthrough victory in his 66th career PGA TOUR start.
The third-year PGA TOUR member from South Carolina co-led after each of the first two rounds and slept on a six-stroke cushion after 54 holes. He closed with a 1-over 72 to post 18-under 266. Kurt Kitayama (64) and playing partner Rory McIlroy (67) shared runner-up honors.
Not only is Bridgeman the first first-time winner of a Signature Event since the series was introduced in 2024, but he's also the first at The Genesis since James Hahn in 2015. But that's not all. Bridgeman is also the first debutant at Riviera to record an official victory since Pat Fitzsimons in 1975. (Adam Scott was a first-time participant when he won at Riviera in 2005, but his title is unofficial because it was captured with only two rounds and a playoff due to weather.)
Bridgeman entered the week at 52nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, so he was already a virtual lock to qualify for the PGA Championship, but that’s now official via this victory. He’ll climb to about 20th in the OWGR when it’s updated.
As a legacy stop among the Signature Events, The Genesis yields a three-year membership exemption through Bridgeman’s age-29 season of 2029. He’s also now exempt into THE PLAYERS Championship through 2028.
It’s also a bit of redemption for the champ after he walked off the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a bogey-6, albeit a very good one. He wasn’t going to win, but the grit he flashed en route to a T8 prevented disaster. Now he’s atop the FedExCup standings as he heads to the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
Since last week, the USGA released the full array of qualifying criteria for the U.S. Open in June. As a result, all remaining conduits have been updated below the alphabetical list of all qualifiers below. This was the last set of checkpoints to be determined among all majors.
This coming week is a busy one worldwide as it concerns exemptions into tournaments on this page.
First, the Cognizant Classic will set the field for THE PLAYERS Championship, save two slots reserved for the winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and the Puerto Rico Open in two weeks. Also, the winner of the South African Open will be rewarded with exemptions into the Masters and The Open Championship if not already exempt. In fact, the top three in South Africa will gain entry into the latter. The highest finishers at the New Zealand Open and the Argentina Open also will be added to the field at Royal Birkdale.
NOTE: Until all methods of entry are released by the governing bodies, traditional criteria are used to determine qualifiers. Refer to 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 -- Jacob Bridgeman
US -- none
OPEN -- none
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, PGA, US, OPEN |
| Daniel Brown | OPEN |
| Jack Buchanan | OPEN (must remain an amateur to compete) |
| 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) |
| 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
- Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 5-8)
- RBC Heritage (April 16-19)
- Cadillac 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 thru 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.
- Winner of the Senior PGA Championship (April 19).
- Top three from International Federation Ranking List (April 27).
- Top 20 from PGA Professional Championship (April 29).
- Top three from Asian Swing ranking on the DP World Tour (May 3).
- Top 70 from special money list (i.e., "PGA Championship Points") on PGA TOUR from 2025 Truist Championship and 2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic through the Cadillac Championship (May 3).
- 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 (two 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 five, not otherwise exempt, in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top two, not otherwise exempt, in the 2025 Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, in the 2026 Race to Dubai (May 17).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the Top 3 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings (May 18).
- Leader, not otherwise exempt, in the Top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings (May 18).
- Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (May 18).
- Final qualifying at one site in England (May 18).
- Final qualifying at one site in Texas (May 18).
- Final qualifying at one site in Japan (May 25).
- Winner of the NCAA Division 1 individual championship, if still an amateur (June 1).
- Final qualifying at one site in Canada (June 8).
- Final qualifying at nine sites in the United States (June 8).
- Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (June 15).
- Special exemptions per the USGA.
The Open Championship (OPEN) at Royal Birkdale Golf Club – July 16-19
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the New Zealand Open (March 1).
- Top three, 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).
- Winner of the Masters (April 12).
- Top two, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Singapore Open (April 26).
- Winner of the PGA Championship (May 17).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who makes the cut at the KOLON Korea Open (May 24).
- Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (May 25).
- Top 5 in the Federation Ranking (May 25).
- Top three, 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 three, 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).
- 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).
- Top player, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Italian Open (June 28).
- Top five, 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).
- Final Qualifying. Top 4 at each of four sites (June 30).
- Top five, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the BMW International Open (July 5).
- Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open (July 12).
- Winner of the Last-Chance Qualifier (July 13).
