How Long Does a Golf Tournament Last? Complete Tournament Duration Guide
A professional golf tournament typically lasts four days, running from Thursday to Sunday, with players competing over 72 holes (18 holes per day). However, the exact duration can vary depending on several factors, including the type of tournament and weather conditions.
For standard PGA Tour events, players begin their rounds in the morning or afternoon on Thursday. The field usually consists of 144-156 players for the first two days. After Friday's round, there's a "cut" where roughly half the field is eliminated, leaving only the top performers to compete during the weekend rounds.
Tournament schedules can extend beyond the standard four days due to:
- Weather delays or suspensions - Playoff situations when players are tied after 72 holes - Special tournament formats
Major championships like The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship follow this four-day format but might feature smaller fields of around 100-156 players. These prestigious events often have stricter qualifying criteria and can extend into Monday if weather delays or playoffs occur.
Some variations in tournament duration include:
- Three-day tournaments (54 holes) for some minor or developmental tour events - Five-day tournaments for specific events like Q-School - Two-day pro-am events preceding the main tournament
Each tournament day typically starts early in the morning, around 7:00-8:00 AM, with the last groups finishing around 6:00-7:00 PM, depending on daylight and weather conditions. Television broadcast coverage usually focuses on the afternoon play, particularly during weekend rounds.
For spectators planning to attend, it's worth noting that practice rounds occur on Monday through Wednesday before the tournament begins. These sessions offer a more relaxed atmosphere and opportunity to see players up close while they prepare for competition.
Remember that while most professional tournaments follow this Thursday-to-Sunday format, local and amateur tournaments might have different durations, often being one or two-day events to accommodate participants' schedules.