Qualifiers for all 2025 Signature Events, THE PLAYERS and majors

For the past couple of years, the governing bodies of the majors have revealed the qualifying criteria for their respective tournaments later than traditionally expected. However, the sport of golf is global and year-round. As a result, at times there have been stand-alone examples in the interim to confirm who has punched tickets without much advance notice. This is one of those times.

The first bullet beneath The Open Championship in remaining qualifying criteria at the bottom of this page cites “TBD” beside the Open Qualifying Series. Indeed, its schedule will not be released until 2025, but the R&A announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26, that the ISPSH HANDA Australian Open would lead off the annual series. The first three not already exempt into The Open would gain entry into the final major of 2025.

Only three golfers in the field of 156 at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne already are exempt into The Open, but only Joaquin Niemann threatened to podium in the premier competition. He settled among six to split fifth place in what was his title defense. The other two were Cameron Smith, who finished T39, and Jordan Smith, who missed the cut.

That left the door wide open for Ryggs Johnston to swipe the first exemption. The American prevailed by three strokes at 18-under 269. (Par-71 Victoria Golf Club co-hosted for the first two rounds.) Johnston is a recent graduate of Arizona State University where he walked off his collegiate career with four straight top 10s. The DP World Tour rookie never has teed it up in a major.

Former PGA TOUR member Curtis Luck finished alone in second to secure his first berth into The Open. In his only prior appearance in any of the other majors, he finished T46 at the Masters in 2017. The Aussie had competed as an amateur at Augusta National via his victory at the 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship.

The last exemption up for grabs was snared by Marc Leishman. The familiar pro finished in a share of third place with fellow Australian, Jasper Stubbs, but Leishman gets the spot because his Official World Golf Ranking of 575 is better. Stubbs, who won the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and turned pro just seven weeks ago, entered the week slotted 1,486th.

The only known exemption into any of the tournaments covered on this page and remaining in 2024 is reserved for the top 50 of the year-ending OWGR. They will qualify for the Masters. However, if more news breaks, this page will be updated accordingly.

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 -- none
US -- none
OPEN -- Ryggs Johnston; Marc Leishman; Curtis Luck

NOTE: Golfers are omitted if they recently haven’t competed in majors for which they are eligible (e.g., The Open Championship = David Duval, Paul Lawrie).

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. 2-5)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Jan. 30-Feb. 2)
• The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 13-16)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 6-9)
• RBC Heritage (April 17-20)
• Truist Championship (May 8-11)
• Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (May 29-June 1)
• Travelers Championship (June 19-22)

THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC) at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium): March 13-16

• Winners of PGA TOUR events thru the final week before THE PLAYERS.
• Top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR event TBD (March 2).
• Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (March 3).
• If necessary to complete the field of 144, golfers outside the Top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR event TBD on March 2 will gain entry in order of position.

Masters (MAS) at Augusta National Golf Club: April 10-13

• Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points allocation for the TOUR Championship.
• Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (Dec. 31).
• Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 19).
• Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (March 31).
• Special invitations to international players per Masters Tournament Committee as its discretion.

PGA Championship (PGA) at Quail Hollow Club: May 15-18

• Winners of PGA TOUR events through the final week before the 2025 PGA Championship.
• Top three from International Federation Ranking List (TBD).
• Top 20 from PGA Professional Championship (April 30).
• Top 70 from special money list (i.e., "PGA Championship Points") on PGA TOUR from 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge thru the PGA TOUR event TBD (May 11).
• *All 2023 Ryder Cup members inside Top 100 of Official World Golf Ranking (TBD).
• Special exemptions per PGA of America. (This likely will include all golfers from Top 100 of Official World Golf Ranking on TBD.)
• 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 Oakmont Country Club: June 12-15

• Winners of multiple PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points allocation since the 2024 U.S. Open.
• Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 19).
• Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 16).
• Winner of the Masters (April 13).
• Winner of the PGA Championship (May 18).
• Top five, not otherwise exempt, in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA Championship (May 18).
• Top two, not otherwise exempt, in the 2024 Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the 2025 PGA Championship (May 18).
• Top player, not otherwise exempt, in the 2025 Race to Dubai (May 18).
• Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (May 19).
• Final qualifying (TBD).
• Winner of the NCAA Division 1 individual championship, if still an amateur (May 26).
• Top 60 of Official World Golf Ranking (TBD).
• Special exemptions per the USGA.

The Open Championship (OPEN) at Royal Portrush: July 17-20

• Open Qualifying Series (TBD).
• Winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Jan. 19).
• Winner of the African Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (Feb. 8).
• Winner of the 118th VISA Open de Argentina (March 2).
• Winner of the Masters (April 13).
• Winner of the PGA Championship (May 18).
• Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking (TBD).
• Top five in the Federation Ranking (TBD).
• Winner of the U.S. Open (June 15).
• Winner of the British Amateur, if still an amateur (June 21).
• Top five, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR event TBD in 2025 (TBD).
• Winner of the European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 28).
• Leader in World Amateur Golf Ranking points accumulated at the St. Andrews Links Trophy (June 8), British Amateur (June 21) and European Amateur Championship, if still an amateur (June 28).
• Final Qualifying. Top 4 at each of four sites (TBD).
• Top five, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 20 in the Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the DP World Tour event TBD in 2025 (TBD).