Michael's 2017/2018 PGA Tour Status

Determining Michael's 2017/2108 PGA Tour status

by Roz Roberts III

I've been asked by multiple people over the last six months what Michael's status is for the PGA Tour during the 2017/2018 season.  I'm not an expert on the ins and outs of PGA Tour status by any means (I think you need a PGA Tour PhD to fully understand it all) but here's my current understanding of the situation.

Due to Michael's shoulder injury in June of last year, he was given a 6 event medical extension in the current 2017/2018 season.   I believe the 6 events represent the number of events Michael would have qualified for in the 2016/2017 season if he had not been hurt.  Essentially, Michael is given six events this year to "complete" last year.  If he can earn enough FedexCup points in these events such that his FedexCup point total of the new events, combined with his points he had last year at the point he was hurt, are more than the 125th player on the FedexCup Points List last year then he earns a fully exempt card for 2017/2018.

From his six medical starts, Michael has already used two starts and he earned 49.7 FedexCup points.  He has four more events to earn 37.235 points.  His priority into events is currently based on the reshuffle list where  he is currently 23rd.  If he can make it past the 37.235 point barrier in four events then he will earn his fully exempt card for this year which will give him priority above the reshuffle list.

If Michael fails to earn the needed points in his next four starts he will still have status on tour because he finished 149th on the FedexCup points list last year.

Players who finish 126-150 are granted status in the following year although their priority for entering events is AFTER the players the in the reshuffle list so they are limited for which events they can enter.  They are also granted full Web.com Tour Status.

Here are some useful web pages that I use to track all of this:

Medical List
Reshuffle List
2017/2018 Priority Ranking

Looking Comfortable At Home

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson has been looking like he enjoys his home courses at this week's RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia.  He has posted three consecutive rounds in the 60's (68, 68, 67) and is currently tied for 13th at 9 under par for the tournament.

Michael's third round was highlighted by his driving accuracy after hit every fairway off the tee (14/14).  He carded a three under par round after making birdies on three of his final four holes.  His round was only marred by a single bogey.

For Sunday's final round, Michael will be playing with Johnson Wagner and William McGirt.  They tee off from the first hole at 10:30am ET.

Online Links
Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard

It's a Home Game This Week

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson will be competing this week near his home in Sea Island, Georgia at the RSM Classic.  The tournament will be held on both the Seaside and Plantation courses at the Sea Island Resort.  Each of the courses will be played once and then the tournament will utilize the Seaside Course exclusively for the weekend.  Both courses are about the same length although the Plantation Course is a par 72 while Seaside is a par 70.  This is the last regular PGA Tour event for 2017.


Michael tees off at 10:40am EST and is grouped with Morgan Hoffman and Sung Kang.  The group tees off from the 10th hole on the Plantation Course.


Online Links
Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard

Thompson Will Be Playing the Weekend in Vegas

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson followed up his first round 69 with a second round 70 (one under par) and is now tied for 13th heading into the weekend at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.  Michael continued his trend of hitting greens in regulation and is 33 out of 36 for the tournament which ranks #1 in the field.  Michael's second round was marred by a couple of double bogeys but he still outpaced the field average on Friday due to his consistent play in blustery conditions.

The full field has not completed the second round yet so tee times for the third round are currently unavailable.

Inspired by Michael's great playing, I jumped on a plane to Vegas this afternoon and will be out cheering him on in person.

Online Links
Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard

Thompson Perfect in GIR in Debut from Injury

by Roz Roberts III

It's been a while since Michael Thompson played a competitive round on the PGA Tour and he lit up the greens in his return.  In fact, he hit every single green in regulation at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.   That's 18 for 18 if your counting.   He carded a two under par 69 and he is currently tied for 29th with a few golfers still needing to finish round one. 

Any rust from the layoff might have showed up on the greens where Michel uncharacteristically 3 putted three times including his only two bogeys which came fairly early in his round.

Michael and his group are scheduled to tee of at 7:15am PT tomorrow.

Online Links
Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard