Matt Kuchar confirms decision not to use career money exemption for 2026 PGA Tour season
GolfMagic can confirm Matt Kuchar will rely on conditional status on the PGA Tour in 2026 — and not cash in one of his two career money exemptions.
PGA Tour veteran Matt Kuchar has confirmed he will not use one of his career money exemptions for the 2026 season, and instead take up his conditional status on the circuit.
GolfMagic can confirm the nine-time PGA Tour winner has elected to retain both of his two career money exemptions despite losing his fully exempt status for next season.
Kuchar finished the 2025 PGA Tour season 118th in the FedEx Cup Fall Standings, outside the new top-100 cut-off required to secure a full card for 2026.
As a result, the 47-year-old will play next season with conditional status after seeing his run of 19 consecutive fully exempt seasons come to an end.
In previous seasons, a finish inside the top 125 would have been sufficient to retain full playing privileges, but changes to the PGA Tour’s eligibility structure meant Kuchar narrowly missed out.
As one of the top 25 players on the PGA Tour’s all-time career earnings list, Kuchar, who is ranked 15th, is entitled to two career money exemptions, which can be used in separate seasons.
However, he has chosen not to activate one for 2026 and will instead rely on his existing category in the hope of receiving enough tournament starts.
Kuchar has career earnings on the PGA Tour exceeding $61m.
Rank | Player | Money |
|---|---|---|
1 | Tiger Woods | $120,999,166 |
2 | Rory McIlroy | $107,981,766 |
3 | Scottie Scheffler | $99,453,136 |
4 | Phil Mickelson | $96,727,968 |
5 | Dustin Johnson | $75,695,066 |
6 | Justin Rose | $73,736,017 |
7 | Jim Furyk | $71,507,269 |
8 | Vijay Singh | $71,281,216 |
9 | Justin Thomas | $70,601,520 |
10 | Adam Scott | $69,759,328 |
11 | Jordan Spieth | $65,901,630 |
12 | Jason Day | $64,871,738 |
13 | Xander Schauffele | $62,135,509 |
14 | Hideki Matsuyama | $62,072,317 |
15 | Matt Kuchar | $61,538,738 |
16 | Patrick Cantlay | $57,745,258 |
17 | Keegan Bradley | $56,124,514 |
18 | Sergio Garcia | $55,097,412 |
19 | Rickie Fowler | $54,137,235 |
20 | Jon Rahm | $53,548,768 |
PGA Tour projections suggest players finishing between 101st and 110th typically receive around 16 starts during the regular season, plus most FedEx Cup Fall events.
Having finished 118th, Kuchar can expect fewer opportunities, though he will still gain access to a number of starts throughout 2026.
The decision appears to be a strategic one, with Kuchar still three years away from eligibility for the PGA Tour Champions.
By holding back his exemptions, Kuchar retains the option to deploy them in 2027 and 2028 if required before potentially moving to the senior circuit full-time in 2029.
Kuchar’s 2025 campaign showed flashes of competitiveness but little sustained momentum. He recorded just one top-10 finish, a tied fifth at the John Deere Classic, while missing only two cuts in 18 starts.
Despite the challenges of keeping pace with the Tour’s younger generation, Kuchar ended the year on a high note away from the PGA Tour, winning the PNC Championship alongside his 17-year-old son Cameron.
The pair claimed a record-breaking seven-shot victory at 33-under par, an emotional moment for the family following the death of Kuchar’s father earlier this year.
"You know Dad was with you every step of the way."
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 21, 2025
Matt Kuchar's father, Peter, was always a key part of Team Kuchar.
After his unexpected passing earlier this year, this win is for him. pic.twitter.com/ZJ8jqMjviT
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Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.