"I've written letters": Zach Johnson deals with not having full PGA Tour status for first time in 20 years

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 received his first sponsor's exemption of the season to play in the Sony Open in Hawaii. According to PGA Tour rules, he can receive up to six sponsor exemptions per season.

After 54 holes of the 2025 edition, Johnson is tied for 20th with a score of 8-under. He won the 2009 edition of the tournament.

Zach Johnson's PGA Tour career overview

Zach Johnson, Sony Open in Hawaii 2025 (Image via Imagn).

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

The Open Championship victory guaranteed his membership on the PGA Tour for the next five seasons (through 2020). From then until 2024, Johnson maintained his membership through the FedEx Cup rankings.

To regain his full PGA Tour membership, Johnson must finish in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings (including the FedEx Cup Fall, if applicable). A finish between 126th and 150th would earn him a special temporary membership. A win would give him his card for the next two seasons.