Sat Jan 17 00:10:00 UTC 2026: # Veteran Golfer Vijay Singh, 63, to Leverage Career Earnings for PGA Tour Return in 2026

The Story

Vijay Singh, the Fijian golfing legend with 34 PGA Tour wins, is set to rejoin the PGA Tour in 2026, leveraging a unique rule that allows top 50 all-time career earners to regain full membership. Despite turning 63 next month, Singh will be competing against players decades younger. While designated events are off-limits, he’s expected to be eligible for most full-field events. This decision has sparked debate within the golf community, with some arguing that it unfairly takes playing opportunities from more deserving, younger players.

Key Points

  • Vijay Singh, with 648 career PGA Tour starts, will rejoin the Tour in 2026 using a career earnings exemption.
  • Singh’s career includes 34 wins, 28 runner-up finishes, and over $71 million in on-course earnings (6th all-time).
  • The rule allows players in the top 50 all-time earnings to regain full membership after losing Tour status.
  • Singh last made a cut on the PGA Tour at the 2020 Memorial and last played 10 or more events in a season in 2017-18.
  • His return has drawn criticism, with concerns about him taking spots from other players.
  • Singh averaged 292.4 driving yards on the Champions circuit in 2025, which would rank 164th on the PGA Tour.
  • He last played in the 2021 Honda Classic, where he missed the cut.

Key Takeaways

  • PGA Tour’s eligibility rules allow for veteran players to regain membership based on career earnings, which has sparked controversy.
  • Vijay Singh’s return highlights the different competitive landscape between the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.
  • The debate surrounding Singh’s return raises questions about meritocracy versus rewarding past achievements in professional sports.

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