* – Denotes a player who finished in the top 125 of the money list.
Bold text – Denotes a player who won in 2009.
- 1. Winners of PGA Championship or U.S. Open prior to 1970 or in the last 10 calendar years (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
- Pádraig Harrington* (2013)
- Phil Mickelson* (2013) – moves to cat 2 in 2011 and cat 9 in 2013
- Vijay Singh* (2013) – moves to cat 6 in 2010 and cat 7 in 2012
- Tiger Woods* (2013)
- Ángel Cabrera* (2012)
- Geoff Ogilvy* (2012) – moves to cat 9 in 2012
- Retief Goosen* (2010) – moves to cat 9 in 2010
Michael Campbell declined membership. Lucas Glover and Yang Yong-eun were promoted to this category after their wins and earned exemptions through 2014.
Woods extended his exemption to 2014, in which year he would fall to cat 9. Ogilvy and Mickelson extended theirs to 2014; Ogilvy would fall to cat 6 in 2012 and cat 9 in 2013. Cabrera extended his to 2014; he would fall to cat 3 in 2013. Goosen extended his to 2011.
- 2. Winners of the THE PLAYERS Championship in the last 10 calendar years. (Beginning In 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
- Sergio García* (2013)
- Stephen Ames* (2012) – moves to cat 9 in 2012
- Adam Scott* (2012) – moves to cat 9 in 2010
- Fred Funk (2011) – moves to cat 9 in 2011
Ames extended his exemption to 2013.
- 3. Winners of the Masters Tournament in the last 10 calendar years. (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
- Trevor Immelman (2013)
- Zach Johnson* (2013) – moves to cat 9 in 2013
Johnson extended his exemption to 2014.
- 4. Winners of the British Open in the last 10 calendar years (1990-present). (Beginning In 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
Stewart Cink was promoted to this category after his win and earned an exemption through 2014.
Hamilton finished in the 126–150 range, fell short at Q School, and fell to conditional status for 2010.
- 5. THE TOUR Championship winners in the last three years, beginning with the 1998 winner
- Camilo Villegas* (2011)
- 6. Winners of World Golf Championship events, beginning in 1999 (a three-year exemption)
Henrik Stenson declined membership.
- 7. The winner of the FedEx Cup in each of the last five calendar years
- 8. The leader in PGA TOUR official earnings in each of the last five calendar years
- 9. Winners of PGA TOUR cosponsored or approved events (except team events) within the last two calendar years, or during the current year; winners receive an additional year of exemption for each additional win, up to five years.
- Jim Furyk* (2012)
- Justin Leonard* (2012)
- Kenny Perry* (2012)
- K. J. Choi* (2011)
- Anthony Kim* (2011)
- David Toms* (2011)
- Cameron Beckman* (2010)
- Stewart Cink* (2010)
- Ben Curtis* (2010)
- Daniel Chopra* (2010)
- Ernie Els* (2010)
- Steve Flesch* (2010)
- Brian Gay* (2010)
- J. B. Holmes* (2010)
- Ryuji Imada* (2010)
- Dustin Johnson* (2010)
- Richard S. Johnson* (2010)
- Greg Kraft (2010)
- Davis Love III* (2010)
- Steve Lowery (2010)
- Will MacKenzie (2010)
- Parker McLachlin (2010)
- Sean O'Hair* (2010)
- Ryan Palmer (2010)
- Carl Pettersson (2010)
- Chez Reavie (2010)
- Andrés Romero* (2010)
- D. J. Trahan* (2010)
- Marc Turnesa (2010)
- Johnson Wagner (2010)
- Boo Weekley* (2010)
- Mike Weir* (2010)
- Stuart Appleby
- Woody Austin*
- Aaron Baddeley*
- Brian Bateman
- Jonathan Byrd*
- Mark Calcavecchia*
- Chad Campbell*
- Paul Goydos*
- Charley Hoffman*
- Charles Howell III*
- Hunter Mahan*
- George McNeill*
- Joe Ogilvie
- Rory Sabbatini*
- Brandt Snedeker*
- Steve Stricker*
- Scott Verplank*
- Nick Watney*
- Mark Wilson*
Date | Player | Tournament |
---|---|---|
Feb 8 | Nick Watney | Buick Invitational |
Mar 1 | Mark Wilson | Mayakoba Golf Classic |
May 24 | Rory Sabbatini | HP Byron Nelson Championship |
May 31 | Steve Stricker | Crowne Plaza Invitational |
Jul 12 | Steve Stricker (2) | John Deere Classic |
Sep 7 | Steve Stricker (3) | Deutsche Bank Championship |
Not including Yang Yong-eun, who was later promoted to cat 1, twelve players moved into this category during the season. Steve Stricker earned an exemption through 2013 with three wins. Brian Gay earned an exemption through 2012 with two wins. Perry extended his exemption to 2014.
Appleby used a top 25 career money exemption for 2010. Ogilvie finished in the 126–150 range and made it through Q School. Bateman finished outside the top 150, was unsuccessful in Q School, and fell to past champion status in 2010 (for good).
- 10a. Career money exemptions – top 50
Duval and Maggert finished in the 126–150 range; Maggert made it through Q School, while Duval fell to the conditional category for 2010. Sluman and Roberts both focused on the senior tour and fell to past champion status for good in 2010.
- 10b. Career money exemptions – top 25
DiMarco and Lehman finished in the 126–150 range; Lehman used his top 50 exemption in 2010, as did Faxon; DiMarco fell to conditional status.
- 17. Life members
Both focused on the senior tour.
- 18. Top 30 on the previous year’s FedExCup points list
Hart, Duke, and Mayfair finished outside the top 150. Hart received a medical extension. Mayfair fell to past champion status in 2010, while Duke became a non-member.
- 19. Top 125 from money list
- Steve Marino*
- Jeff Quinney*
- Mathew Goggin*
- Nicholas Thompson*
- Pat Perez*
- Bart Bryant
- Rod Pampling*
- Jerry Kelly*
- Freddie Jacobson*
- Charlie Wi*
- Tommy Armour III
- Heath Slocum*
- Ben Crane*
- Ian Poulter*
- Peter Lonard
- Luke Donald*
- Matt Kuchar*
- Rocco Mediate
- Nick O'Hern*
- Kevin Streelman*
- Dean Wilson
- Tom Pernice Jr.
- John Merrick*
- Steve Elkington
- John Senden*
- Ryan Moore*
- Troy Matteson*
- John Mallinger*
- Tim Wilkinson
- Michael Letzig*
- Tim Herron
- Paul Casey*
- Brian Davis*
- Cliff Kresge
- Vaughn Taylor*
- Justin Rose*
- Kevin Na*
- John Rollins*
- Bill Haas*
- Lucas Glover*
- Michael Allen*
- Tim Petrovic*
- Scott McCarron*
- Fred Couples*
- J. J. Henry*
- Corey Pavin
- Nathan Green*
- Bo Van Pelt*
- Eric Axley
- Alex Čejka*
- Jeff Overton*
- Brett Quigley*
- Jason Bohn*
- Brad Adamonis
- Martin Laird*
Date | Player | Tournament |
---|---|---|
Jan 25 | Pat Perez | Bob Hope Classic |
Apr 5 | Paul Casey | Shell Houston Open |
Apr 26 | Jerry Kelly | Zurich Classic |
Jun 22 | Lucas Glover | U.S. Open |
Jul 19 | Bo Van Pelt | U.S. Bank Championship |
Jul 26 | Nathan Green | RBC Canadian Open |
Aug 9 | John Rollins | Legends Reno–Tahoe Open |
Aug 23 | Ryan Moore | Wyndham Championship |
Aug 30 | Heath Slocum | The Barclays |
Oct 5 | Matt Kuchar | Turning Stone Resort Championship |
Oct 18 | Martin Laird | Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open |
Oct 25 | Troy Matteson | Frys.com Open |
Herron, Pernice, Armour, Mediate, Pavin, and Kresge finished in the 126–150 range. Pavin used a top 50 career money exemption for 2010; Armour received a minor medical extension. Herron, Pernice, Mediate, and Kresge fell to the conditional category for 2010.
Wilson, Adamonis, Lonard, Bryant, Wilkinson, Elkington, and Axley finished outside the top 150. Bryant and Wilkinson received major medical extensions, and Adamonis a minor. Wilson, Lonard, Elkington, and Axley fell to past champion status (for good, in Lonard's case).
- 20. Non-member top 125
Robert Karlsson declined membership.
- 21. Major Medical Extension
- Chris Perry (18)
- Brett Wetterich (17)
- Arron Oberholser (18)
- Joey Snyder III (25)
- Brandt Jobe (4)
- Shaun Micheel (13)
- José María Olazábal (24)
- David Berganio Jr. (5)
- Kirk Triplett (19)
- Stephen Leaney (11)
- Hank Kuehne (18)
- José Cóceres (12)
- Paul Azinger (5)
- Chris Couch (29)
- Wes Short Jr. (15)
Berganio's extension expired in February and he fell to the reshuffle; he ultimately needed another medical extension. Jobe's expired in March and he became a non-member. Micheel's expired in July and he fell to past champion status. Triplett's expired in October and he fell to past champion status (for good). Leaney's expired in August; he became a non-member and would never regain status. Azinger's expired in June and he fell to past champion status (for good). Perry, Wetterich, Oberholser, Snyder, Olazábal, Kuehne, Cóceres, Couch, and Short received carry-overs.
Roland Thatcher moved to this category after meeting his terms in August; he finished in the top 125.
- 22. Nationwide Tour leading money-winner
- Matt Bettencourt* (rookie)
- Medical extension
- Patrick Moore (12)
Moore received a carry-over.
- 24. Q School top 25, Nationwide Tour 2-25
- Harrison Frazar*
- Brendon de Jonge
- James Nitties* (rookie)
- Jeff Klauk* (rookie)
- Derek Fathauer (rookie)
- Jarrod Lyle
- Chris Stroud*
- Bill Lunde* (rookie)
- John Huston
- Colt Knost (rookie)
- Robert Garrigus
- Darron Stiles
- Greg Chalmers*
- Webb Simpson* (rookie)
- Scott Piercy* (rookie)
- James Oh (rookie)
- Greg Owen*
- Glen Day
- Peter Tomasulo (rookie)
- Notah Begay III
- Rick Price (rookie)
- Matt Borchert (rookie)
- Kris Blanks (rookie)
- Gary Woodland (rookie)
- David Mathis (rookie)
- Jason Dufner*
- Casey Wittenberg (rookie)
- Troy Kelly (rookie)
- D. A. Points*
- Jimmy Walker*
- Arjun Atwal
- Tyler Aldridge (rookie)
- Aron Price (rookie)
- Wil Collins (rookie)
- Marc Leishman* (rookie)
- Leif Olson (rookie)
- Brendon Todd (rookie)
- Brian Vranesh (rookie)
- Scott Gutschewski
- Chris Riley
- Spencer Levin (rookie)
- Ted Purdy*
- Bryce Molder*
- Mathias Grönberg
- Matt Weibring (rookie)
- Yang Yong-eun*
- Ricky Barnes* (rookie)
- Aaron Watkins (rookie)
- Bob Heintz
- Kent Jones
- Jay Williamson
Date | Player | Tournament |
---|---|---|
Mar 8 | Yang Yong-eun | Honda Classic |
Aug 16 | Yang Yong-eun (2) | PGA Championship |
Those who finished in the 126–150 range were Garrigus, Riley, Weibring, de Jonge, Levin, and Aron Price. Riley, de Jonge, and Levin were successful at Q School; Garrigus, Weibring, and Aron Price settled for conditional status.
Day, Olson, Wittenberg, Mathis, Grönberg, Heintz, Blanks, Jones, Lyle, Watkins, Williamson, Todd, Stiles, Vranesh, Gutschewski, Knost, Huston, Tomasulo, Fathauer, Woodland, Collins, Atwal, Rick Price, Oh, Begay, Borchert, Kelly, and Aldridge finished outside the top 150. Huston, Woodland, Atwal, and Begay received major medical extensions and Lyle a minor. Blanks and Williamson were successful in Q School; Grönberg finished in the top 25 of the Nationwide Tour money list. Day and Jones settled for past champion status (for good, in Day's case). The other 18 became non-members; Olson, Vranesh, Collins, Rick Price, Oh, and Borchert have not reached the PGA Tour again.
- Reshuffle medical
- Jonathan Kaye (13)
- Duffy Waldorf (19)
- Roland Thatcher* (13)
- Carl Paulson (15)
Thatcher met his terms in August and moved to the major medical category. Kaye's extension expired in July and he fell to past champion status (for good). Waldorf and Paulson received carry-overs.
- 25. Three-time Nationwide Tour winners in the current year
One player achieved this:
- 26. Minor Medical Extension
- 27. 126–150 from money list
Four players finished in the top 125. Jones and Warren finished in the 126–150 range; Jones made it through Q School and Warren remained in this category for 2010. The remaining players all finished outside the top 150. Parnevik used a top 50 career money exemption for 2010; Bertsch made it through Q School. Durant, Gore, Tway, and Lickliter fell to past champion status in 2010 (for good, in Lickliter and Tway's cases). Sheehan, Allan, Sterling, Ridings, and Gainey became non-members; Allan and Sterling have never regained status.
- 28. Non-exempt medical extension
- Notable past champions
The following past champions finished in the top 200 of the money list:
Date | Player | Tournament |
---|---|---|
Mar 15 | Michael Bradley | Puerto Rico Open |
Two players finished in the top 125, including one winner. Hayes, Uresti, and Neal Lancaster made it through Q School; Willis finished in the top 25 of the Nationwide Tour money list. Brooks and Maruyama would never regain better status.
- Notable non-members
The following non-members finished the equivalent of top 200 on the money list, including earnings in WGCs (^ denotes those eligible for full PGA Tour membership in 2010):
- Henrik Stenson^
- Lee Westwood^
- Rory McIlroy^
- Ross Fisher^
- Jeev Milkha Singh^
- Oliver Wilson^
- Graeme McDowell^
- Martin Kaymer
- Søren Hansen
- Rickie Fowler
- Søren Kjeldsen
- Shingo Katayama
- Miguel Ángel Jiménez
- Jamie Lovemark
- Chris Wood
- Danny Lee
- Peter Hanson
- Thomas Aiken
- Francesco Molinari
- Álvaro Quirós
- Robert Karlsson
- Prayad Marksaeng
- Kevin Chappell
- Richard Sterne
- Charl Schwartzel
- Darren Clarke
- Thongchai Jaidee
- Louis Oosthuizen
- Todd Fischer
- Kyle Stanley
Date | Player | Tournament |
---|---|---|
May 10 | Henrik Stenson | The Players Championship |
Stenson, McIlroy, and Singh accepted membership for 2010; Westwood, Fisher, Wilson, and McDowell declined, though McDowell accepted after winning the U.S. Open. Fisher accepted STM in April, McDowell in July, Singh in August, and Fowler in October.
Fowler made it through Q School; Lovemark, Lee, Chappell, Fischer, and Stanley were unsuccessful.
- Other notes
Twenty-eight players not listed made it from the Nationwide Tour to the PGA Tour for 2010 (23 via the money list, 5 via Q School). Besides Fowler, seven players with no PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour status in 2009 made it through Q School.