Definition
The 2012 Champions Tour refers to the 2012 season of the PGA Tour Champions, the premier professional golf circuit for male golfers aged 50 and over. It was the 33rd season of the senior tour under the governance of the PGA Tour.
Overview
The 2012 season comprised 24 official money events held across North America, including the four senior major championships: the Senior PGA Championship, the U.S. Senior Open, the Senior Players Championship, and The Senior Open Championship. The season ran from early January to late October, concluding with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the tour’s final event and points finale.
Jeff Sluman topped the official money list and won the Charles Schwab Cup for the year. The season featured a total prize purse of approximately $55 million, with individual tournament purses ranging from $1.6 million to $2.5 million. Notable winners during the season included Fred Couples, Tom Lehman, and Scott McCarron, among others.
Etymology/Origin
The term “Champions Tour” originated in 2002 when the PGA Tour rebranded its senior circuit—formerly the Senior PGA Tour (established 1980)—to emphasize the competitive stature of its players, many of whom were former PGA Tour winners. In 2016 the tour was renamed PGA Tour Champions. The year designation (2012) simply denotes the calendar year of that particular season.
Characteristics
- Eligibility: Open to male professional golfers aged 50 years or older who hold a PGA Tour Champions membership.
- Points System: Players earn points toward the season‑long Charles Schwab Cup, with higher points awarded at major championships and the season‑ending playoff events.
- Money List: Earnings from official events determine the season’s money list, influencing exemptions and status for subsequent seasons.
- Tournament Structure: Events are typically 54 holes (three rounds) rather than the 72‑hole format used on the regular PGA Tour, though majors are contested over 72 holes.
- Broadcast and Sponsorship: Tournaments are televised primarily in the United States on the Golf Channel and NBC, with corporate sponsorships forming a major revenue source.
Related Topics
- PGA Tour Champions
- Senior major championships (Senior PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, Senior Players Championship, The Senior Open Championship)
- 2012 PGA Tour season
- Charles Schwab Cup
- Senior professional golf
- Golf tournament structure and prize distribution.