Zach Johnson begins his 2025 season at the Sony Open in Hawaii but it’s the first time in 20 years that he is not a full member of the PGA Tour.
Johnson finished tied for 162nd in the 2024 FedEx Cup, so his current PGA Tour membership status is that of “Past champion over 150 in 2024 FedExCup”. With this type of membership, the two-time major champion will not have the same privileges as a full member.
Speaking on the subject from the Sony Open in Hawaii, Zach Johnson said he was in conversation with sponsors to explore the possibility of obtaining tournament exemptions. He said, via Asap Sports.
“I am [witing letters]. I’ve written letters. I’m doing more of the phone call approach. Doing both… I’ve never been in this position so I don’t know what’s more effective… I played at the John Deere Classic before I had status, 24, 25 years ago, whatever it was, and I think I wrote a letter there…. Would’ve been Nike Tour days or whatever.
Johnson earned a sponsor’s exemption for the first time this year for Sony Open of Hawaii. He is allowed, by the PGA Tour regulations, to get six sponsor’s exemptions in a year.
Ensuing to the 54th holes of the 2025 event, Johnson is currently 20th with an 8-under tally. It advanced through the knockout stage of the same year and won the 2009 edition of the tournament.
Zach Johnson’s PGA Tour career overview.
Zach Johnson joined the PGA Tour in 2004 after earning his card the previous season on the Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour). Since then, he had never lost his full membership until this season.
That same 2004 season, Johnson won his first PGA Tour event, which guaranteed his card for two seasons. After that, he continued to win tournaments, including major championships, which solidified his place on the circuit.
These are Johnson’s victories on the PGA Tour:
2004 BellSouth Classic
2007 Masters Tournament
2007 AT&T Classic
2008 Valero Texas Open
2009 Sony Open in Hawaii
2009 Valero Texas Open
2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
2012 John Deere Classic
2013 BMW Championship
2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions
2015 The Open Championship
His win at the Open Championship ensured his place at the PGA Tour for the next five years (2020 included). After that until 2024 his membership was retained through FedEx Cup points earned.
Johnson’s return to Full PGA Tour membership requires him to finish at least inside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup points (FedEx Cup Fall if available). If he finishes between 126 to 150 he will get a special temporary membership of the tour. To do that he needed a win which would earn him his card for the following two seasons.