The 49-year-old knows exactly how many days remain until he becomes eligible for the PGA Tour Champions. “Twenty-two days, but who’s counting,” he said last week on the eve of the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship at Silverado Resort in Napa. For the two-time PGA Tour winner with more than $12 million in career earnings since joining the Tour in 2007, turning 50 is more than a birthday milestone; it’s a gateway to a new chapter where he can ride a cart, compete in no-cut events, and play against familiar faces such as Fred Couples and Notah Begay III. But is it all that easy?

“I was looking forward to that, to have a chance, not saying I was going to make it,” George McNeill explained about the Q-School route, which may no longer be available to him. The PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament, commonly referred to as Q-School, has for decades enabled players to earn their way onto the senior circuit, offering hope for those who didn’t secure full-time status on the PGA Tour. For the past several years, the first stage has offered a $200,000 purse, with five spots available for players finishing in the top five, while those finishing between sixth and 30th gain entry into weekly Monday qualifiers.

Club pros like Jason Caron, Rob Labritz, and Tim O’Neal are among the recent success stories. But the Tour has steadily reduced Q-School spots over time, and now the policy board is reportedly set to eliminate the tournament, a decision that would leave McNeill and other prospective Champions Tour players with fewer options to compete. This change comes as part of the PGA Tour Champions Board of Directors’ effort to prioritize players who have historically supported the PGA Tour.

Jim Furyk, a member of the policy board, highlighted the rationale: “We have quite a few players that dedicated their career to the PGA Tour, won multiple times and have very little to no access on the Champ Tour. Those spots would be allocated to help those players.” When asked to provide examples, Furyk noted, “I always ask the Tour not to include players’ names. I want the data. A guy that played in over 500 events, won three times, had a solid career and struggles to get in most events. We have quite a few of those.”

The PGA Tour Champions, originally established in 1980, has long served as a competitive arena for golfers aged 50 and above, providing a chance to extend their professional careers beyond the PGA Tour. The Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament, or Q-School, which started in 1965, has been a cornerstone of this pathway for decades, likely dating back nearly as far as the Tour itself, allowing aspiring senior players to earn their way into events based on skill and perseverance. Eliminating such a long-standing tradition not only disrupts the competitive structure but also marks the potential end of a nearly 60-year-old system that has helped countless players transition from the main Tour to the senior circuit.

While McNeill has some conditional status based on his win total and career earnings, the elimination of Q-School could still impact how frequently he competes. “They said they’re doing it because there were some guys that never supported the PGA Tour, maybe a year or two but played in Europe or Japan, and then they come over and take a spot from the guys who played over here,” he said. “We want to have something for the PGA Tour players to transition over. I get it. It’s good and bad for me. They changed a few categories so maybe I’ll get into a couple of events I wouldn’t have gotten into. We’ll see what happens.”

But just as McNeill adjusts to Q-School changes, high-profile players like Tiger Woods and the Class of 2026 rookies face a new path to the Champions Tour.

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A new era for the PGA Tour Champions

As Tiger Woods approaches his 50th birthday on December 30, 2025, he becomes eligible to join the PGA Tour Champions. This milestone has generated significant anticipation, as Woods, a 15-time major champion, has been a dominant force in golf for decades. His potential participation in the Champions Tour is expected to bring renewed attention and excitement to the senior circuit.

However, recent changes to the Champions Tour’s qualification process may impact Woods’ entry. In addition to Woods, several other prominent golfers are set to become eligible for the Champions Tour in 2026. Zach Johnson, a 12-time PGA Tour winner, will turn 50 in February 2026, marking his eligibility. Johnson has expressed his intention to continue competing on the PGA Tour, stating, “For now, I’m happy playing against the best, not the best of my age group.”

Rory Sabbatini, who turns 50 in April 2026, would also be eligible to join the Champions Tour in 2026. Sabbatini has had a varied career, with notable performances in major championships and the Olympics. His presence on the senior circuit is anticipated to add to the competitive field. Ben Crane has had a career marked by consistency and a strong work ethic. Crane’s participation in the senior circuit is expected to bring a steady and methodical approach to the competitions. Ryan Palmer’s experience and competitive spirit are expected to make him a strong contender on the Champions Tour.

The potential elimination of Q-School raises questions about the future of the Champions Tour and the opportunities available for incoming players. While the intent is to prioritize players who have supported the PGA Tour, the change could limit ways for new talent to enter the senior circuit. As the policy board prepares to vote on this decision, the golf community awaits the outcome and its implications for the future of professional senior golf.