“My mind’s gone blank, honestly.” That’s how Maverick McNealy summed up his emotions after securing his first PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic. With a birdie on the 18th hole, McNealy sealed a 16-under-266 finish, officially joining the ranks of PGA Tour winners—and earning some perks he wasn’t even aware of at the time. “I don’t really know what comes with winning,” he admitted post-round, “but I do know next year’s going to be a challenging year playing for 100 cards.”
What McNealy may not have fully realized is that this victory has brought him some perks every player on the PGA Tour wishes for. For starters, his victory guarantees him a spot at the 2025 Masters. Among the many perks of a PGA Tour Fall event win, the Masters invitation is like the cherry on top, and as for McNealy, he can now look forward to competing on one of golf’s most iconic stages.
That’s just the beginning, though. Winning a full-point PGA Tour event also grants a two-year exemption, giving him breathing room to plan his schedule without worrying about securing his Tour card. “Well, a two-year exemption, that’s kind of cool,” he said.
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There’s more—his win earns him 500 FedExCup points, a solid boost heading into the new season, and access to select Signature Events in 2025. These elevated tournaments come with limited fields, bigger prize pools, and the chance to battle it out against golf’s best. And let’s not forget automatic invites to events like The Sentry and THE PLAYERS Championship.
This win, which came in as his 134th start as a professional, seems to be a turning point for McNealy. Now he isn’t just playing to maintain his place in the game; rather, it’s about adding many more victories to his resume and grabbing all the chances he got with this win.
What’s in the store for PGA Tour 2025?
With the 2024 season wrapped up, most of the PGA Tour’s top players are set to enjoy a well-earned break over the holidays. But it won’t be long before they’re back in action. The 2025 PGA Tour season officially kicks off on January 5 with The Sentry, a Signature Event hosted at the stunning Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort in Maui, Hawaii.
After Hawaii, the Tour keeps rolling with the Sony Open, followed by three stops in California. Among them is another Signature Event, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Of course, for golf fans who just can’t wait until January, December has a few treats in store.
The Hero World Challenge, expected to be Tiger Woods’s returning event, tees off from December 5-8. Following that, the Grant Thornton Invitational (December 12-15) and the PNC Championship (December 19-22) keep the action going.
The 2025 season is shaping up to deliver excitement right from the first swing of the year. With big-name players, signature events, and fresh opportunities for the rising stars of the game, there’s a lot to look forward to for next year. So are you excited for the all-new PGA Tour season? Let us know in the comments!
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