Eligibility
Professionals and Amateurs with a handicap index when applied to the qualifying course slope will generate a handicap of two (2) or less. The Korn Ferry Tour reserves the right to verify the handicap index of amateurs and to refuse anyone not meeting the requirements.
Format
Play will be 18-holes of stroke play. There will be a minimum of four (4) qualifying spots with normally eight (8) spots available. To the extent possible, hole-by-hole playoffs for qualifying positions shall be conducted immediately following the completion of qualifying competition play. It is not necessary to identify alternates, since a withdrawal by one of the eight open qualifiers will result in that qualifier being replaced with a player on the Korn Ferry Tour alternate list. If two courses are used, the PGA Section will attempt to make the field size at each course approximately equal. This means in total number and by category (both PGA TOUR/Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas) of entry. The number of qualifying positions at each course will be equal. REQUESTS FOR A SPECIFIC GOLF COURSE OR ANY OTHER REQUESTS WILL NOT BE GRANTED. Korn Ferry Tour reserves the right to change the format, venue(s), qualifying spots and allotments, and other criteria set forth herein as presently contemplated due to adverse weather or other circumstances (see Reduction & Cancellation below). Upon approval, by the designated Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Referee or PGA Section, of the Open Qualifying site round scores and prior to starting a hole-by-hole playoff, contestants that earn a qualifying position are in the field of the above-named tournament. In the event of a tie for the last Open Qualifying position, a separate hole-by-hole playoff competition will be conducted to determine the player(s) that will earn the remaining qualifying position(s) for the above-named tournament. Prior to the approval of the round scores at an Open Qualifying site, an Open Qualifying contestant who gains entry into the field of the above-named tournament shall be removed from the Open Qualifying competition, even if the player has completed his Open Qualifying round and returned his scorecard. A contestant competing in an Open Qualifying hole-by-hole playoff that gains a position in the field via the alternate list of the above-named tournament shall be removed from the hole-by-hole playoff. A contestant competing in an Open Qualifying hole-by-hole playoff that earns an Open Qualifying position in the field of the above-named tournament will be removed from the alternate list.
Starting Times/Course Assignments
Starting times will be available after 8:00 am on the Saturday preceding the Open Qualifying competition at nfpga.com. The Section will inform all players via email or text and post the starting times on the tournament website. Course assignments are generally made after the Wednesday deadline preceding the tournament. Starting times, groupings and course assignments are made at the discretion of the PGA Section and Korn Ferry Tour and specific requests will not be granted.
Withdrawals
Applicants must withdraw prior to the entry deadline to be eligible for an entry fee refund. Other refunds will be given only in the case of injury or other disability which requires medical attention, serious personal emergency, if the player becomes eligible for a Korn Ferry Tour or PGA TOUR event, or any other situation covered by the Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Regulations. No other refunds will be given.
Contestants who withdraw during the round may be subject to disciplinary action.
Practice Rounds
Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
Available the week before the qualifier after 12:00 PM and the practice round fee is $50 plus tax. Please call 941-253-2901 to schedule a practice round.
Bradenton Country Club
Available the week before the qualifier and the practice round fee is $80 plus tax. Please call 941-792-1600 to schedule a practice round.
Rules of Golf
Play shall be governed in accordance with the Rules of Golf published by the USGA and the R&A, as modified by the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Korn Ferry Tour Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card) and supplemented by the Notice to Players. Questions or disputes (including equipment rulings) shall be settled by the on-site Rules Committee appointed by the Korn Ferry Tour, whose decision shall be final.
Distance Measuring Devices
For play in Open Qualifying, a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If during the stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3a(1).
Guidance on Use of Cell Phones During Round The use of cell phones in a Korn Ferry Tour tournament is typically prohibited by Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Regulations; however, during Open Qualifying, limited functions are allowed. The Korn Ferry Tour will provide the PGA Section with a Notice to Players on what is allowed and not allowed. The Notice will be posted online on the Tournament Information Page as well as on the Starting Tees.
Groove Specifications
Open Qualifying contestants MUST use equipment which conforms to the Local Rule for Groove and Punch Mark Specifications as implemented in the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Korn Ferry Tour Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card). The complete specifications for grooves in elite competitions along with a public database listing conformity of many clubs can be found at USGA.org (click on Playing > Equipment > Club & Ball Lists >Informational Club Database) or by contacting the USGA Equipment Standards Department at (908) 234-2300. Players should confirm that their equipment conforms to the new specifications well in advance of the competition and should be aware that conforming equipment must be used in Open Qualifying. If, before the competition, a player has doubt as to the conformity of a club, the Rules Committee will attempt to determine the status of the club(s), but play will not be delayed in doing so. There will be no on-site field testing for groove conformity at Open Qualifying. If the club(s) in question is not listed on the public database listing conformity of clubs, the club shall not be used in the competition. If it is discovered that a player’s club(s) do not conform after the close of the competition, the provisions of Rule 20 of the Rules of Golf shall apply.
Greens Reading Materials Restrictions
Model Local Rule G-11 is not in effect for the Open Qualifying competition.
Club Length Limitation
Model Local Rule G-10 is not in effect for the Open Qualifying competition.
Spike Policy
The use of traditional metal spikes is permitted during the Competition. Soft spikes may be required during practice rounds at the discretion of the host facilities.
Transportation
Players and Caddies shall walk at all times during qualifying rounds, except when permitted to ride by the Rules Committee. Players are not required to have a caddie; they may carry their clubs or use a manual or motorized pull cart designed and appropriate for golf. Anyone seeking a golf cart due to a disability defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the PGA TOUR’s Competition Department at (904) 285-3700 to obtain information on procedures for submitting such requests. All such request due to temporary injuries or impairments that do not qualify as a “disability” under the ADA will not be granted.
Appearance
Players: While on the host facility property, players shall present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts or shirts with no collar shall not be worn. Players are permitted to wear golf shorts which are knee length, tailored and neat in appearance. Compression leggings worn underneath shorts must be solid in color.
Caddies: While on the host facility property, caddies may wear either long pants or tailored solid colored knee length shorts or skorts. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts or shirts with no collar shall not be worn. Smooth rubber sole shoes are required. Sandals, open toe shoes, and golf shoes with traditional metal or soft spikes are prohibited. Clothing worn by players and caddies shall be consistent with currently accepted golf fashion. The designated Korn Ferry Tour Chief Referee shall interpret this regulation.
Conduct
While on host facility property during qualifying rounds; players and caddies shall conduct themselves in a professional manner. Korn Ferry Tour reserves the right to remove a player from the qualifying competition for; non competitiveness; conduct unbecoming a professional by the player; conduct unbecoming a professional by the players’ caddie.
Reduction or Cancellation
Any reduction or cancellation in the respective qualifying competition shall be in accordance with Reduction/Cancellation Guidelines as found in the Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Regulations. In the event that the competition is canceled without any player having been able to play, all entry fees will be refunded. In the event the competition is canceled after play has begun, all entry fees will be refunded, minus a $25 administrative charge per player. If in the judgment of the designated Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Referee, whose decision shall be final, conditions render commencement or continuation of tournament play inadvisable, play shall be postponed until such time as the Rules Committee determines that such weather conditions or other occurrences or conditions have improved sufficiently for play to commence or resume. In situations involving adverse weather conditions or any other occurrence or condition, our first priority is the completion of the qualifying competition. Every effort will be made to achieve this objective by the end of the scheduled competition day. In the event the qualifying competition cannot be completed by the end of the scheduled competitive day, play will be extended. Every effort will be made to complete the qualifying competition as soon as possible. The Open Qualifying competition will not continue beyond the end of the day immediately preceding the first scheduled tournament round of the competition. In the event one or more of the 18-hole Open Qualifying contestants cannot be identified, those qualifying spots will be filled by the next available players on the Korn Ferry Tour Alternate List. Korn Ferry Tour reserves the right to change the format, venue(s), qualifying spots and other criteria as presently contemplated. In such cases, the decision of the designated Korn Ferry Tour Tournament Referee shall be final.