AZ Amateur champ Ken Tanigawa qualifies for Champions Tour

December 3, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Ken Tanigawa pulled off a rare feat, qualifying as an amateur for the Champions Tour<br>(USGA photo)

Tanigawa, who turns 50 this month, finishes 5th at Q-School to gain fully exempt status through the 2018 season

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (December 1, 2017) - Arizona Amateur champion Ken Tanigawa of Scottsdale has qualified for the PGA Champions Tour for the 2018 season, finishing tied for fourth in the PGA Tour Champions Tour School at TPC Scottsdale. Tanigawa, a reinstated amateur who has won two of the last three Arizona Amateurs, shot 17-under, posting four straight under-par rounds including 64-63 in rounds two and three. He opened and closed the tournament with a 1-under 70 to finish inside the top five. The top-five finish was key for Tanigawa, as it gained him fully exempt status for the 2018 Champions Tour season. Tanigawa took the final fully exempt spot, holding off Brian Henninger (Wilsonville, OR) by two shots. Tanigawa and Henninger were tied going into the final hole, but Henninger’s chances ended when his tee shot found water which led to a bogey, his third on the back nine. Tanigawa will remain an amateur until the start of the 2018 season. After playing professionally for 11 years in Australia, Asia and Japan, Tanigawa appeared briefly on the Web.com Tour in 2003 before regaining his amateur status. He has won numerous state titles in his home state of Arizona, and has also competed in the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2013, 2014, and 2017. Tanigawa's finish was the best by an amateur in the Champions Tour School since Jim Roy (Syracuse, NY) finished tied for fifth in 2009. Mike Goodes (Reidsville, NC) turned pro before Q-School in 2007 and then finished tied fifth to gain entry to the Champions Tour in 2008. He has been a mainstay ever since, winning once and earning over 5 million dollars over the last decade. Tom Byrum (San Antonio, TX) eagled the first playoff hole to edge out Tommy Tolles (Hendersonville, NC) for the win on Friday. Kent Jones (Albuquerque, NM) and Tim Petrovic (Austin, TX) were the other players earning fully exempt status for the 2018 season. The only other amateur in the field was Tim Hogarth of Northridge, CA, who has enjoyed a long and illustrious amateur career in Southern California. Hogarth withdrew after rounds of 72-73.

Most Popular Articles

Mark Your Calendars: Key USGA Entry Dates for 2026

Mar 12, 2026For players mapping out a competitive schedule, knowing exactly when USGA entries open and close is critical

FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley

Mar 14, 2026Miles Russell surged with a closing 67 to reclaim the boys title while Asterisk Talley dominated the girls division at Sage Valley

San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned

Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.

Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National

Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta

Six Amateurs at the Puerto Rico Open: John Daly II, Miles Russell and Round 4 Scores

Mar 8, 2026Kihei Akina closed with a 2-under 70 to finish T16 at 10-under (68-70-70-70).

Filters

Loading latest news...

Loading article...