QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT REGULATIONSARTICLE 1 – GENERAL
Section 1: Purpose
The Qualifying Tournament Regulations (“QT Regulations”) shall prescribe provisions for the
Qualifying Tournament, which is held to grant Tour Membership of the Japan Golf Tour (“JGT”)
that is hosted/approved by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (“JGTO”), determine priority orderto play in tournaments and select other eligible players.
Section 2: Organizer
1. The Qualifying Tournament shall be organized and conducted by JGTO.
2. JGTO shall have the authority to determine the qualifiers and ranking of the Qualifying
Tournament (“QT Ranking”), approve eligibility, impose disciplinary actions or sanctions,and make decisions on any other matters relating to the operation and administration of the
Qualifying Tournament.
Section 3: Portrait Rights
All players who participate in the Qualifying Tournament must grant and assign to JGTO theirportrait rights, publicity rights, moral rights and intellectual property rights to make, use, exhibit
and reproduce in any and all media (including, but not limited to, television, radio, still pictures,motion pictures, printed publications, electromagnetic record, or any other form not recognizable
to human perception), any and all pictures, coverage, recordings and any other reproductions ofany description of the players made in connection with the Qualifying Tournament.
Section 4: Stages of the Qualifying Tournament
The Qualifying Tournament will be conducted in four stages: First Qualifying Stage, Second
Qualifying Stage, Third Qualifying Stage, and Final Qualifying Stage.

ARTICLE 2 – ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS
Section 5: Responsibilities and duties of the Executive Board
The Executive Board shall make decisions on the following matters concerning the Qualifying
Tournament, in addition to those otherwise set forth in these QT Regulations:(1) Approval on Tour Membership.

(2) Disciplinary actions (excluding those pertaining to the Disciplinary Committee and
JGTO).
(3) Appeals against any other decisions of the Disciplinary Committee.
Section 6: Responsibilities and duties of JGTO
JGTO shall make decisions on the following matters concerning the Qualifying Tournament, in
addition to those otherwise set forth in these QT Regulations:(1) Approval on the official Tournament Information of the Qualifying Tournament(“Tournament Information”).
(2) Approval on Tour Membership.
(3) Approval on the QT Ranking.
(4) Approval on eligibility for the Qualifying Tournament.
(5) Other matters referred to JGTO by the Executive Board.
Section 7: Structure, responsibilities and duties of JGTO
1. With respect to the Qualifying Tournament, matters related to the structure, responsibilities
and duties of JGTO shall be set forth separately, in addition to those set forth in these QTRegulations.
2. JGTO shall be responsible for the following matters concerning the Qualifying Tournament,in addition to those otherwise set forth in these QT Regulations:(1) Establishment of the Tournament Information.
(2) Implementation, management, and recording of each stages of the Qualifying
Tournament and the Tour Member Guidance Seminar.
(3) Establishment of the QT Ranking.
(4) Disciplinary actions (excluding those pertaining to the Executive Board and theDisciplinary Committee).
(5) Other matters referred to JGTO by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 3 – ELIGIBILITY FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY
Section 8: Tour Membership
Players who participated in the Final Qualifying Stage and attended the Tour Member Guidance
Seminar set forth in Section 23 shall obtain Tour Membership (as prescribed in Section 28-1 (1)of the Japan Golf Tour Tournament Regulations (“Tournament Regulations”)) for the following
year.

Section 9: Eligibility for Tournament Play Granted to Tour Members
1. Players who obtained Tour Membership in accordance with these QT Regulations may
participate in the Japan Golf Tour Tournaments (“Tour Tournaments”) for the following year
under Section 10-1(12), (21) or (22) of the Tournament Regulations, in order of priority asprescribed in Section 10-2 of the Tournament Regulations.
2. Players who obtained Tour Membership in accordance with these QT Regulations may
participate in the Tour Tournaments for the following year under sponsor exemptions asprescribed in Section 9-3 of the Tournament Regulations.
3. Players who obtained Tour Membership in accordance with these QT Regulations may
participate in the Japan Golf Tour ABEMA Tour tournaments (“Abema TV Tour
tournaments”) for the following year under Section 17-1(6) or (7) of the Tournament
Regulations, in order of priority as prescribed in Section 17-2 of the Tournament Regulations.
4. Players who obtained Tour Membership in accordance with these QT Regulations may
participate in the ABEMA Tour tournaments for the following year under sponsor exemptionsas prescribed in Section 16-2 of the Tournament Regulations.
Section 10: Eligibility for Tournament Play Granted to Other Players
1. Finishers within the top 90% of the field (including ties) at each venue of the First Qualifying
Stage, and those who are below the top 90% and who have held the QT ranking within thepast 10 years, and those who participated in the Second Qualifying Stage or the Third
Qualifying Stage (except for those who obtained Tour Membership. The same shall apply
hereinafter in this Section) may participate in the Tour Tournaments for the following year inorder of their standings on the QT ranking
2. Finishers within the top 90% of the field (including ties) at each venue of the First Qualifying
Stage, and those who are below the top 90% and who have held the QT ranking within thepast 10 years, and those who participated in the Second Qualifying Stage or the Third
Qualifying Stage may participate in the Tour Tournaments for the following year undersponsor exemptions in accordance with Section 9-3 of the Tournament Regulations.
3. Finishers within the top 90% of the field (including ties) at each venue of the First Qualifying
Stage, and those who are below the top 90% and who have held the QT ranking within thepast 10 years, and those who participated in the Second Qualifying Stage or the Third
Qualifying Stage may participate in the ABEMA Tour tournaments for the following year inorder of their standings on the QT ranking.
4. Finishers within the top 90% of the field (including ties) at each venue of the First Qualifying
Stage, and those who are below the top 90% and who have held the QT ranking within thepast 10 years, and those who participated in the Second Qualifying Stage or the Third
Qualifying Stage may participate in the ABEMA Tour for the following year under sponsor
exemptions in accordance with Section 16-2 of the Tournament Regulations.

ARTICLE 4 – ELIGIBILITY FOR THE QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
Section 11: First Qualifying Stage
The following players are eligible to participate in the First Qualifying Stage:(1)

Players who participated in the First Qualifying Stage, Second Qualifying Stage of theprevious year’s Qualifying Tournament.

(2)

Players who have participated in the Qualifying Tournament before the previous year.

(3)

Players who have forfeited their amateur status.

(4)

Players with a handicap of 3.0 or less that is calculated under the handicap system
adopted by the Japan Golf Association or the national golf association of other countries.

(5)

Players who have been a member of the Japan Student Golf Association for four years
and have been recommended by their university golf team.

(6)

Players who have been a member of a high school golf team in Japan for three years
and have been recommended by their high school golf team.

(7)

Other players approved by JGTO.

Section 12: Second Qualifying Stage
The following players are eligible to participate in the Second Qualifying Stage:(1)

Qualifiers from the current year’s First Qualifying Stage.

(2)

Players who participated in the Third Qualifying Stage of the previous year’s Qualifying
Tournament.

(3)

Players who were exempt for the Tour Tournaments for at least one year in accordancewith Section 10 of the Tournament Regulations during the past five (5) seasons.

(4)

Winners of a Tour Tournament in the past five (5) seasons.

(5)

The top five (5) available players to a floor of 30th position on the PGA Tour ofAustralasia Order of Merit in the previous season, excluding the top three (3) available
players to a floor of 15th position who are eligible for the Third Qualifying Stage.

(6)

The top five (5) available players to a floor of 30th position on the Sunshine Tour Orderof Merit in the previous year, excluding the top three (3) available players to a floor of
15th position who are eligible for the Third Qualifying Stage.

(7)

The top five (5) available players to a floor of 30th position on the current year’s AsianTour Order of Merit (as of the date separately determined), excluding the top three (3)available players to a floor of 15th position who are eligible for the Third Qualifying
Stage.
(8)

Winners of the Japan Amateur Golf Championship, the Japan Collegiate Golf
Championship, or the Low Amateur of the Japan Open Golf Championship in the past
two years.

(9)

The top three (3) available players to a floor of 30th position on the current year’s World
Amateur Golf Ranking (as of the date separately determined).

(10) Top 10 finishers (including ties) of the current year’s “PGA of Japan’s Qualification Pro
Test for Tournament Player”.
(11) Members of the Japan Golf Association National Team in the current year.
(12) Winner of the current year’s Japan Junior Golf Championship (Boys’ 15-17 Division).
(13) Other players approved by JGTO.
Section 13: Third Qualifying Stage
The following players are eligible to participate in the Third Qualifying Stage:(1)

Qualifiers from the current year’s Second Qualifying Stage.

(2)

Tour Members in the current year.

(3)

The next ten (10) highest ranked players on the current year’s Japan Golf Tour Official
Money Ranking following the top 65 finishers as defined in Section 10-1(5) of theTournament Regulations (excluding those who did not meet the Minimum Tournament
Requirements set forth in Section 10-3(3) of the Tournament Regulations). No
replacement takes place even if a player falling under this category is otherwise eligible
under clause (1) or (2) above, or does not apply to enter the Qualifying Tournament inaccordance with Section 15 below.

(4)

Players who were eligible for the current year’s ABEMA Tour tournaments underSpecial Medical Extension as provided in Section 17-1(5) of the Tournament
Regulations, and failed to retain their exempt status for the following year.

(5)

The top 30 players from the current year’s final ABEMA Tour Official Money Ranking.

(6)

Players who were exempt for U.S. PGA Tour or European Tour in the current year basedon its respective points rankings (This exemption only applies to U.S. PGA Tourmembers who had exempt status under “Top 125 from FedExCup Points List” category,and European Tour members who had exempt status under “Top 110 from Race to Dubai
Points Ranking” category).

(7)

The top three (3) available players to a floor of 15th position on the PGA Tour ofAustralasia Order of Merit in the previous season.

(8)The top three (3) available players to a floor of 15th position on the Sunshine Tour Orderof Merit in the previous year.

(9)

The top three (3) available players to a floor of 15th position on the current year’s AsianTour Order of Merit (as of the date separately determined).

(10) The 1st place finisher of the current year’s “PGA of Japan’s Qualification Pro Test for
Tournament Player”.
(11) Winners of the Japan Amateur Golf Championship, the Japan Collegiate Golf
Championship, or the Low Amateur of the Japan Open Golf Championship in thecurrent year.
(12) The top three (3) available players to a floor of 15th position on the current year’s World
Amateur Golf Ranking (as of the date separately determined).
(13) Other players approved by JGTO.
Section 14: Final Qualifying Stage
1. The following players are eligible to participate in the Final Qualifying Stage:(1)

Qualifiers from the current year’s Third Qualifying Stage.

(2)

Players who were fully exempt (for at least one year) for the current year’s Tour
Tournaments and failed to retain their fully exempt status for the following year.

(3)

Players who were exempt for the current year’s Tour Tournaments under Section 101(20) of the Tournament Regulations (Players qualified for Special Medical Extension),and failed to earn their exempt status under the category of “Top 65 finishers on the
Official Money Ranking” for the following year, or players who have carried over thenumber of events covered by the Special Medical Extension into the following year.
However, this eligibility may be exercised only once, either in the first year or in thefollowing year.

(4)

Other players approved by JGTO.

2. Players participating in Final Qualifying Stage are required to obtain the necessary visas or similar
documentation for the host country as mandated by applicable laws and regulations, including
immigration control laws.

ARTICLE 5 – CONDUCT OF THE QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
Section 15: Entry procedures
1.

Players who wish to participate in the Qualifying Tournament must file an entry applicationin writing by the designated date and time in accordance with the Tournament Information.

2.

Players who wish to participate in the Qualifying Tournament must pay the entry fee set forthin the Tournament Information.
3.

An amateur player may enter and play in the Qualifying Tournament without forfeiting hisamateur status, provided, at the time of application to enter, he waives his right to any prize
money in the competition.

4.

If an applicant submitted an entry form which is incomplete, inaccurate or illegible, JGTO
shall inform him that he must correct such errors/deficiencies within a reasonable period oftime set by JGTO, and if he fails to do so, his entry application will be rejected.

Section 16: Withdrawals
1.

Applicants withdrawing from the Qualifying Tournament must inform JGTO in writing of
their withdrawal from the tournament in accordance with the provisions set forth in the
Tournament Information.

2.

If an applicant withdraws prior to the start of each tournament, he may be refunded part ofthe entry fee as provided in the Tournament Information. However, this shall not apply towithdrawals after the designated withdrawal deadline, withdrawals without notice, orwithdrawals for other reasons provided in the Tournament Information.

Section 17: Tournament Venue Assignment
1.

Upon receipt of a fully executed entry application, applicants will be assigned their
qualifying tournament venue by JGTO.

2.

JGTO shall provide applicants with written notification of tournament dates, tournament
venue assignments and entry confirmation numbers.

Section 18: Registration
1.

Players must register in person at the tournament site by the date and time designated by
JGTO.

2.

Players who fail to complete the registration procedures by the designated date and time will
be removed from the tournament.

Section 19: Rules of Golf
Play shall be governed in accordance with the Rules of Golf of the Japan Golf Association, as
modified by the Japan Golf Tour Local Rules and Terms of the Competition.
Section 20: Format of Play
1. Each Qualifying Stage shall be conducted in the following formats of play, and thecompetition in each stage shall be “official” upon completion of the number of holes specifiedbelow.
(1)

First Qualifying Stage:
72-hole stroke-play (with 18 holes being played each day)

(2)

Second Qualifying Stage:
72-hole stroke-play (with 18 holes being played each day)(3)

Third Qualifying Stage:
72-hole stroke-play (with 18 holes being played each day)(4)

Final Qualifying Stage:
72-hole stroke-play (with 18 holes being played each day)

2. In the event that the number of holes specified above cannot be completed in each stage due
to adverse weather conditions or any other occurrence or condition, the competition will be“official” upon completion of a fewer number of holes as provided in the following table.
Competition
First Qualifying Stage

Completed Number of Holes
(1)
(2)
(3)

Second Qualifying Stage

(1)
(2)
(3)

Third Qualifying Stage

(1)
(2)
(3)

Final Qualifying Stage

(1)
(2)
(3)

More than 18 holes,
but less than 36 holes
More than 36 holes,
but less than 54 holes
More than 54 holes,
but less than 72 holes
More than 18 holes,
but less than 36 holes
More than 36 holes,
but less than 54 holes
More than 54 holes,
but less than 72 holes
More than 18 holes,
but less than 36 holes
More than 36 holes,
but less than 54 holes
More than 54 holes,
but less than 72 holes
More than 18 holes,
but less than 36 holes
More than 36 holes,
but less than 54 holes
More than 54 holes,
but less than 72 holesCompetition is Official
upon Completion of
The first 18 holes
The first 36 holes
The first 54 holes
The first 18 holes
The first 36 holes
The first 54 holes
The first 18 holes
The first 36 holes
The first 54 holes
The first 18 holes
The first 36 holes
The first 54 holes

3. Any competition of each Qualifying Stage that has not completed the number of holes
provided in Section 20-1 or 20-2 above will not become “official”, and JGTO is responsible
for completing such number of holes to make the competition “official”.

Section 21: Determination of Qualifiers
1. For the First, Second and Third Qualifying Stages, the number of players advancing fromeach tournament venue will be determined on a pro rata basis, and such number will beannounced at each venue before the start of play.
2. JGTO shall determine the qualifiers at each venue upon completion of each tournament.
3. Ties will be broken for the purpose of ranking by the tie-breaking method provided in the
Tournament Information.
4. If a tournament became “official” under Section 20-2, the qualifiers from such venue will be
determined based on the results at the completion of the applicable number of holes asprovided in Section 20-2.
Section 22: Determination of the Results of the Final Qualifying Stage
1. Ties will be broken for the purpose of ranking by the tie-breaking method provided in the
Tournament Information.
2. If the tournament became “official” under Section 20-2, the final results will be determinedbased on the results at the completion of the applicable number of holes as provided in Section
20-2.
Section 23: Tour Member Guidance Seminar
1. All players who participated in the Final Qualifying Stage, except former JGTO Tour
Members since 1999, must attend the Tour Member Guidance Seminar.
2. In addition to the provisions of Section 23-1 above, JGTO may, upon application by a player,
excuse a player from part or all of his obligation to attend the Tour Member Guidance Seminar,
if JGTO deems that there are extenuating circumstances. In this case, the player who is
excused from the Tour Member Guidance Seminar will be required to receive a
supplementary lecture after the extenuating circumstances have been resolved.
3. The content of the Tour Member Guidance Seminar shall be determined by JGTO.

ARTICLE 6 – DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Section 24: Disciplinary Actions under the QT Regulations
If a player participating in the Qualifying Tournament (“QT contestant”) (including those who
applied to enter but did not participate) is found to have committed any of the following acts,
JGTO may take a disciplinary action(s) in accordance with Section 25.
(1)

Violation of the Tournament Regulations

(2)Violation of the QT Regulations(3)

Violation of the Rules of Golf of the Japan Golf Association as provided in Section 19(4)

Violation of the provisions set forth in the Tournament Information(5)

Withdrawal from the Qualifying Tournament without a valid reason(6)

Verbal abuse toward QT contestants, spectators, or other people involved in the
Qualifying Tournament, or other detrimental conducts(7)

Any other conducts that are contrary to the integrity and credibility of JGTO and the
Qualifying Tournament(8)

Violation of any law, order, regulation, or other statute (including ordinance)

Section 25: Types of Disciplinary Actions
1. Types of disciplinary actions under the QT Regulations are as prescribed below:(1)

Expulsion(2)

Revocation of Tour Membership(3)

Revocation of a position on the QT Ranking(4)

Suspension from Tour Tournaments and ABEMA Tour Tournaments for less than one
year

(5)

Suspension from the Qualifying Tournament for up to five (5) years(6)

A fine of between 50,000 JPY and 500,000 JPY(7)

Reprimand

2. If expulsion is imposed against a player, he loses all of his eligibility status for JGT and the
Qualifying Tournament.
3. If a revocation of Tour Membership is imposed against a player, he loses his Tour Member
status (as defined in Section 28-1 (1) of the Tournament Regulations), which he obtained inaccordance with Section 8 of these QT Regulations.
4. If a revocation of a position on the QT Ranking is imposed against a player, he loses his
position on the QT Ranking which he earned through his participation in the Qualifying
Tournament (i.e., he loses his eligibility status under the QT Ranking for the following year’s
Tour Tournaments).
5. Disciplinary action (5) may be imposed in combination with (2) or (3). Disciplinary action(1) through (5) may be imposed in combination with (6) and/or (7).
6. In cases falling under Item (1) of Section 24, disciplinary actions provided in the Japan Golf
Tour Disciplinary Regulations may be imposed.
Section 26: Disciplinary Action Procedures
1. If JGTO finds that a QT contestant has committed any of the acts listed in Section 24, it shallconduct an investigation and report the results to the Disciplinary Committee.
2. The Disciplinary Committee shall conduct a review based on the JGTO’s investigation reportand shall make decisions on imposing appropriate disciplinary actions set forth in Section 25.
However, imposition of an expulsion shall be decided in accordance with the provisions set
forth in Section 4 of the Japan Golf Tour Disciplinary Regulations.
3. If it is obvious that a QT contestant committed a violation and JGTO deems it necessary totake a disciplinary action immediately, only a reprimand (prescribed in Section 25-1 (7)) may
be imposed against the player without a decision of the Disciplinary Committee. In this case,
JGTO shall immediately provide the Disciplinary Committee with a report on such impositionof a reprimand.
4. Upon receipt of a report from JGTO on the imposition of a reprimand as specified in Section
26-3 above, the Disciplinary Committee shall give the QT contestant in question written
notice of its approval on the disciplinary action taken by JGTO, unless it is obvious that thedisciplinary action taken by JGTO has no valid grounds.
Section 27: Hearings and Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee
1. When making a decision on the conduct of a QT contestant that would result in disciplinary
actions set forth in Section 25-1 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6), the Disciplinary Committee shall,in accordance with the provisions of these QT Regulations, give the QT contestant in question
an opportunity to respond in a verbal or written form.
2. Based upon the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, JGTO shall give the QT contestantin question written notice of the imposition of the disciplinary action.
Section 28: Appeals Procedure
1. Appeals against verbally imposed disciplinary actions may be lodged with the Disciplinary
Committee. Appeals against decisions of the Disciplinary Committee on disciplinary actions
specified in Section 25-1(1) through (5) may be lodged with the Executive Board. Appeals
against other disciplinary actions may be lodged with the Disciplinary Committee. In either
case, a player seeking an appeal shall submit a written request for appeal to the Chairman of
JGTO.
2. A player subject to disciplinary action(s) under the provisions of these QT Regulations may
submit a written request for appeal or examination within 14 days from the day on which he
was notified of the disciplinary action. In this case, the written request for appeal or
examination may be accompanied by statement of reasons for the appeal and documentation
supporting the grounds for the appeal.
3. Upon receipt of a written request for appeal, the Chairman of JGTO must promptly call aDisciplinary Committee meeting or Executive Board meeting, depending on the case, to hear
the appeal.
Section 29: Decisions
1.

The Disciplinary Committee or the Executive Board shall notify the appellant of the decisionon the appeal in a written document which is signed by the Chairman of JGTO.

2.

Such decision must specify the grounds for the decision.

3.

If the appellant fails to file the request for appeal within the specified period, or the request
is not valid, the appeal shall be dismissed.

4.

If the appeal does not have valid grounds, it shall be dismissed.

5.

If the appeal has valid grounds, all of, or part of the disciplinary actions originally imposed
shall be removed or modified.

6.

The decision is final, and any further appeal is not permitted.

Section 30: Application Mutatis Mutandis
The Japan Golf Tour Disciplinary Regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis to disciplinary actions
under these QT Regulations, unless contrary to the nature thereof.
Section 31: Fines and Suspension
1. Fines are due and payable within 14 days commencing from the day following the day on
which the player has received the notice of fine. However, the Disciplinary Committee may
extend the above payment due depending on circumstances.
2. A player imposed a fine shall not be permitted to participate in golf competitions
hosted/approved by JGTO until he completes the payment.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on May 22, 2006.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2007.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONSThese Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2008.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2009.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2010.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2011.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2012.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2013.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2014.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2015.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2016.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2018.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2019.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONSThese Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2021.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
These Regulations is in effect on April 1, 2023.