What Is 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals

Overview

The 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals was a season-ending series designed to finalize the roster of players earning PGA Tour cards for the 2022–2023 season. It served as a bridge between the Korn Ferry Tour regular season and full PGA Tour eligibility, offering a second-chance pathway for players on the bubble.

This playoff-style format featured the top 70 players from the Korn Ferry Tour regular season points list, along with PGA Tour members who finished outside the top 125 in FedExCup points. The intense four-event stretch tested consistency, pressure management, and adaptability across varying courses.

• Four tournaments made up the 2022 Finals: the Huntsville Championship (August 11–14), Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (August 18–21), Albertsons Boise Open (August 25–28), and Simmons Bank Open (September 8–11).
• Each event awarded escalated points, with higher point values than regular season events to emphasize performance under pressure during the Finals series.
• The top 30 players in the cumulative Finals points standings at the end of the Simmons Bank Open earned PGA Tour membership for the 2022–2023 season.
• Players from two groups competed: the top 70 on the Korn Ferry Tour regular season points list and PGA Tour members ranked 126–200 in FedExCup points, creating a hybrid field.
• The Finals offered a final opportunity for players like Benjamin Taylor and Nick Hardy to secure their PGA Tour cards through strong finishes and consistent point accumulation.

How It Works

The Korn Ferry Tour Finals operates on a points-based advancement system, where performance in each of the four events contributes to a player’s total standing. Unlike a single elimination format, it rewards sustained excellence across multiple weeks.

• Qualification Threshold: The top 70 players from the Korn Ferry Tour regular season advanced automatically. This ensured consistent performers had a shot at promotion.
• PGA Tour Integration: PGA Tour members ranked 126–200 in FedExCup points joined the Finals, giving them a chance to regain full status or earn Korn Ferry Tour retention.
• Points Structure: Points were awarded based on finishing position, with increased weight compared to regular season events—winning a Finals event yielded 500 points versus 250 in standard events.
• Aggregate Scoring: Players accumulated points across all four events, and the top 30 in the final standings earned PGA Tour cards, not just tournament winners.
• Card Allocation: The 30 PGA Tour cards were awarded exclusively based on Finals points, not money earned, emphasizing performance over prize distribution.
• Alternate Status: Players finishing 31st–50th in the Finals earned conditional PGA Tour status and priority ranking for entry into events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals structure against the regular Korn Ferry Tour season:

The Finals compressed the stakes into a short timeframe, amplifying pressure and competition. While the regular season rewarded long-term consistency, the Finals emphasized peak performance at the right moment, with higher stakes and stronger fields due to PGA Tour player inclusion.

Why It Matters

The 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals was critical for shaping the next season’s PGA Tour landscape, determining which emerging talents and returning professionals would compete at the highest level. Its structure balanced opportunity with competitiveness, ensuring only the most resilient earned promotion.

• Pathway to the PGA Tour: The Finals provided a second chance for players just outside the top 30 in the regular season to earn their Tour card.
• Increased Competition: Including PGA Tour members ranked 126–200 raised the level of play, making the Finals more challenging and credible.
• Performance Over Earnings: Using points instead of prize money ensured that consistent finishes mattered more than single big paydays.
• Development of Talent: Players like David Lingmerth, who won a Finals event, used the platform to return to the PGA Tour after setbacks.
• Seasonal Structure: The Finals created a defined endpoint to the Korn Ferry season, adding narrative tension and viewer engagement.
• Financial Implications: Earning a PGA Tour card through the Finals meant access to higher purses, sponsorships, and FedExCup eligibility.

Ultimately, the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals served as both a proving ground and a gateway, blending meritocracy with drama. For golfers on the edge of stardom, it represented the final hurdle before joining one of the world’s premier sports tours.