Champions Tour - Complete Guide for Golf Fans

The Champions Tour is professional golf's premier circuit for players aged 50 and over. Far from being a retirement home for ageing stars, the Champions Tour features highly competitive golf from players who were once, and in many cases still are, among the finest the game has ever seen. With a relaxed but passionate atmosphere and some of the most recognisable names in golf, the Champions Tour offers fans a unique and deeply enjoyable experience.

History of the Champions Tour

The Champions Tour (originally known as the Senior PGA Tour) was founded in 1980, making it one of the older professional golf circuits in the world. The concept was simple: give players over 50 a competitive platform to continue playing at a high level.

The early years were driven by the enormous popularity of players like Arnold Palmer, who turned 50 in 1979 and brought his legion of fans, "Arnie's Army," to the senior circuit. Lee Trevino, Gary Player and Chi-Chi Rodriguez followed, and the tour quickly established itself as a major draw.

The tour was rebranded as the Champions Tour in 2002 and has continued to thrive, attracting former PGA Tour stars, major champions and international players who are eager to compete well into their fifties and sixties.

How the Champions Tour Works

Eligibility

The primary eligibility requirement is simple: players must be 50 years of age or older. However, getting into the field requires meeting additional criteria:

• Former PGA Tour members with a sufficient career record receive Champions Tour playing privileges
• Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School) - open to professionals aged 50 and over
• Sponsor exemptions - tournament hosts can invite players
• Past champions - winners of Champions Tour events receive exemptions
• Major champions and Players Championship winners from their PGA Tour careers receive additional playing privileges

Tournament Format

Champions Tour events typically follow a streamlined format:

• 54 holes over three rounds (Friday to Sunday)
• No cut - every player in the field plays all three rounds
• Smaller fields - typically 78 players, compared to 144+ on the PGA Tour
• Standard stroke play - lowest cumulative score wins

The three-round, no-cut format means that every player who tees it up on Friday is guaranteed to play the weekend. This is a significant difference from the PGA Tour, where roughly half the field is eliminated after 36 holes.

The Charles Schwab Cup

The Charles Schwab Cup is the Champions Tour's season-long points race, equivalent to the PGA Tour's FedExCup. Players earn points based on their finishing positions throughout the season, with the top performers qualifying for the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, a three-event series that determines the overall champion.

The Schwab Cup champion receives a substantial bonus and is recognised as the tour's player of the year.

Key Champions Tour Events

The Champions Tour schedule features around 25-30 events per season, including several with particular prestige:

Major Championships

The Champions Tour has five major championships of its own:

• Regions Tradition - one of the longest-running senior majors
• Senior PGA Championship - run by the PGA of America, the oldest senior major (dating back to 1937)
• U.S. Senior Open - run by the USGA, with course setups that mirror the rigour of the U.S. Open
• Senior Open Championship - run by the R&A, played on British links courses
• Senior Players Championship - featuring one of the largest purses on tour

Other Marquee Events

• The Ally Challenge - a popular stop in Michigan
• Sanford International - held in South Dakota
• Dominion Energy Charity Classic - part of the Schwab Cup Playoffs

Notable Champions Tour Players

The Champions Tour's roster reads like a hall of fame of professional golf:

• Bernhard Langer - the German legend who has dominated the Champions Tour for over a decade, winning more events than anyone in the tour's modern era. A two-time Masters champion who has shown that age is truly just a number
• Ernie Els - "The Big Easy," a four-time major champion who brought his smooth swing and global star power to the senior circuit
• Vijay Singh - the Fijian three-time major champion whose work ethic is legendary in professional golf
• Jim Furyk - a U.S. Open champion and former FedExCup winner who has found renewed success on the Champions Tour
• Padraig Harrington - the Irish triple major champion who has become a force on the senior circuit

As stars from the golden era of PGA Tour golf continue to turn 50, the Champions Tour's fields only grow stronger.

Champions Tour vs PGA Tour

The comparison is not about which tour is "better." They serve different purposes. The Champions Tour gives fans the chance to watch beloved players continue to compete, while the PGA Tour and DP World Tour showcase the game's current elite.

The Appeal of Champions Tour Golf

There are several reasons why the Champions Tour has a devoted following:

Accessibility

Champions Tour events are typically more fan-friendly than PGA Tour stops. Courses are less crowded, players are more approachable and the atmosphere is relaxed. Many fans find it easier to follow their favourite players up close on the Champions Tour.

Nostalgia

For fans who grew up watching Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els, the Champions Tour offers a chance to reconnect with the players who defined their love of golf. The stories and rivalries carry over from the main tour, adding historical depth to every event.

Competitive Intensity

Do not mistake the relaxed atmosphere for a lack of competition. Champions Tour players are fiercely competitive, and the standard of play remains remarkably high. Scoring averages demonstrate that these players have lost little of their skill - they simply apply it on a slightly different stage.

How to Follow the Champions Tour Live

GolfMode covers Champions Tour events with the same level of detail as PGA Tour and DP World Tour tournaments. Track live scores, follow individual players and get notifications for key moments throughout every round.

The three-round, no-cut format means every player is competing all weekend, giving fans certainty that their favourite players will be in action from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to play on the Champions Tour?

Players must be 50 years of age or older to compete on the Champions Tour. This is the primary eligibility requirement, though players also need to qualify through Q-School, exemptions or past tour performance.

Who has won the most Champions Tour events?

Hale Irwin holds the all-time record with 45 Champions Tour victories. Bernhard Langer is the dominant player of the modern era, with a win total that places him among the most successful senior golfers in history.

How much prize money is on the Champions Tour?

Total prize money across the Champions Tour season has grown steadily and now exceeds $60 million. Individual event purses typically range from $2 million to $4 million, with the major championships offering more.

Can Champions Tour players still play on the PGA Tour?

Yes. Champions Tour players who maintain their PGA Tour status or receive exemptions can compete on both tours. Some players, particularly in their early fifties, split their schedule between the two circuits.

Track Champions Tour events live on GolfMode - download free.