The Korn Ferry Tour introduces two funding programs to ease financial burdens and support aspiring PGA Tour professionals.
The Korn Ferry Tour is restructuring its player development strategy with two new financial initiatives aimed at fully qualified Korn Ferry Tour players and former PGA Tour members. According to a PGA Tour press release, the ‘Member Support Program’ and the ‘Pathways Player Achievement Grant’ are designed to reduce the financial strain of pursuing a full-time professional golf career.
Member Support Program: Income guarantee for Korn Ferry players
The ‘Member Support Program’ is the more comprehensive of the two and offers a $150,000 income guarantee at the end of the season. To qualify, players must participate in at least twelve events across the Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour during the season and must have ranked outside the top 125 in the previous season’s FedEx Cup standings. If a player earns more than $150,000 in prize money during the season, the guarantee is void. If earnings fall short, the PGA Tour will cover the difference up to the guaranteed amount.
The second initiative, the ‘Pathways Player Achievement Grant’, provides a $15,000 stipend to players on the Korn Ferry Tour and other U.S.-based developmental tours. Unlike the income guarantee, this grant is not tied to tournament participation and can be used for various expenses such as travel, lodging, or compensation.
Competing with other pro golf tours
These programs are part of a broader effort to remain competitive with other professional golf circuits like the DP World Tour, LIV Golf, and the Asian Tour, which have also introduced similar financial support mechanisms.
The PGA Tour itself implemented a $500,000 income guarantee for fully exempt players in 2022. This guarantee is offset by prize money and requires participation in at least 15 events. Rookies and returning members receive the payment upfront, while others receive it post-season if their earnings fall below the threshold. Additionally, players with limited status receive a $5,000 stipend for missed cuts. The DP World Tour also launched a $150,000 income program in 2023, tied to category qualification and participation in 15 events.
Is the support enough?
Despite these measures, questions remain about whether $150,000 is sufficient for Korn Ferry Tour players, given the high costs of travel and caddies. German DP World Tour player Nicolai von Dellingshausen recently revealed that annual expenses can easily reach similar figures.