PGA Tour 'Signature Events' arrived onto the circuit's calendar in 2024 after a year of 'Designated Events' in 2022-23.
The eight tournaments - which didn't include the Majors, playoff events and Players Championship - featured smaller fields but increased prize purses and more FedEx Cup points (700 to the winner of each).
Three of the events - hosted by legends of the game - included a 36-hole cut and 20% of the total prize purse awarded to the winner while the remaining tournaments were no-cut competitions with the usual 18% prize handed to the champion.
The top-50 members of the reshuffled FedEx Cup standings from the 2022-23 season automatically qualified for all Signature Events this year, while 'The Next 10' - which includes the top-10 players on the 2024 FedExCup point list, not otherwise exempt via a higher priority category - also received a start.
For the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational, the Next 10 referred to those players who finished between 51-60 on the final 2022-23 FedExCup Fall points list.
To ensure every PGA Tour member had a chance of making it, there was another exemption category called the 'Swing 5' available all season until the Travelers Championship. Those who secured the highest number of FedEx Cup points in between Signature Events booked a tee time at the upcoming tournament. The winner of any PGA Tour event was also eligible for the remaining 'Signature' tournaments in 2024.
Without further ado, let's take a look back at the eight Signature Events on the PGA Tour calendar in 2024 and what happened.
Introducing the #AonNext10 and #AonSwing5. New eligibility paths into the Signature Events to deliver higher stakes and more drama to the PGA TOUR season. #AonBetterDecisions pic.twitter.com/bwcdqd6dhHDecember 14, 2023
What Are The Eight Signature Events On The PGA Tour In 2024?
The Sentry (January 4-7)
Formerly known as The Sentry Tournament of Champions, the more concisely-named event kicked off the 2024 PGA Tour season at the monster-drive-enabling Kapalua Plantation Course in Hawaii.
As the first PGA Tour competition of 2024, The Sentry was the only Signature Event which did not include either qualifiers from The Next 10 or The Swing 5. Only PGA Tour winners from 2023 and the top-50 members from the 2022-23 FedExCup standings teed it up.
Chris Kirk won the 2024 running after an incredible overall score of 29-under par - one shot in front of Sahith Theegala and two ahead of Jordan Spieth.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (February 1-4)
The biggest Pro-Am golf tournament in the world took place at two iconic courses in early February - Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
Despite being eagerly anticipated as arguably the first showpiece event of the season, several days of stormy weather majorly disrupted the tournament and caused it to be shortened to 54 holes.
Wyndham Clark was crowned the 2024 champion, though, thanks to a simply stunning 12-under-par effort on Saturday - the final day of competition.
The Genesis Invitational (February 15-18)
Only the WM Phoenix Open separated the second and third Signature Events on the PGA Tour in 2024 during an undoubtedly exciting stretch of golf.
Tiger Woods hosted the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club shortly after Valentine's Day, with the 15-time Major champion briefly making hearts flutter in what was his first PGA Tour start of the year.
However, he was forced to withdraw due to illness during round two and was not able to be in attendance as former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama produced a masterful Sunday performance to take home the title.
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 7-10)
The Arnold Palmer Invitational precedes The Players Championship and often features a Major-like field in terms of its strength. Being that it is also now a Signature Event, too, many of the world's top-70 are involved on a Bay Hill course that can cause even the strongest player to crumble somewhat.
The event in Florida sees the winner receive a red cardigan sweater, in memory of Arnold Palmer - a tradition that began with the 2017 tournament after Palmer's death in 2016.
It's 2024 edition was won by Scottie Scheffler after the American romped to the title on 15-under, five shots clear of runner up, Wyndham Clark.
RBC Heritage (April 18-21)
The RBC Heritage took place days after The Masters finished in mid-April at the wonderfully-picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links on the eastern coast of the United States. Both events were both won at a canter by Scheffler.
The 27-year-old's fourth win in five starts arrived a little later than planned, however, after storms caused a delay to the final round that meant Scheffler needed to come back on Monday and complete his final few holes.
Although he made a rare bogey, Scheffler still won by three and the handful of boats in the harbour produced the traditional celebratory horn blast once the final putt dropped.
Wells Fargo Championship (May 9-12)
Although 2024 was the final Wells Fargo Championship ever - at least in name - given the financial-services company announced it would not be renewing its sponsorship of the tournament, there was a familiar winner to send the long-time backer off into the sunset with.
Rory McIlroy claimed his fourth title at Quail Hollow thanks to a runaway victory in the end, defeating overnight leader, Xander Schauffele by five shots thanks to a final round of six-under.
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 6-9)
The PGA Tour's penultimate Signature Event took place smack bang in the middle of a thrilling run of golf, with a wholesome victory by Robert MacIntyre at the Canadian Open preceding it and the US Open following the week after.
Attempting to prepare for the difficult test that Pinehurst No.2 would present, the limited field was faced with a relentless Muirfield Golf Village, set up by tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
Scheffler once again showed his class, though, holding off Collin Morikawa by a shot despite carding a rare over-par final round.
Travelers Championship (July 20-23)
The final Signature Event of the season marked Scottie Scheffler's fourth success in the elevated category, although, this one was a little different to his others.
Far from a stroll in the park, Scheffler was pushed all the way by good friend Tom Kim in a relative birdie-fest - compared to the attritional golf which featured at the US Open and Memorial Tournament.
Days after his 28th birthday, the new father triumphed in a playoff to win his sixth title of the season and increase his yearly earnings to over $28 million. Afterwards, Scheffler confirmed he would be competing in the Open Championship, the Olympics, and the final three PGA Tour playoff events before joining up with Team USA at the Presidents Cup and then taking a well-earned break.
