The PGA Tour has proposed significant changes to its structure, affecting field sizes, Tour size, pathways to the Tour, Monday qualifiers, pace of play, and more. These changes have sparked conversations among golf’s thought leaders, with opinions ranging from sadness to progress. GOLF senior writers Dylan Dethier and Sean Zak break down these changes and offer their insights on each issue.
The Tour has decided to reduce field sizes for non-Signature events, with the maximum field size dropping from 156 players to 144. This change is aimed at improving the pace of play and ensuring that tournament days finish on time. It will also provide a better experience for players, staff, viewers, and broadcasters. Overall, this reduction in field sizes is seen as a positive change by both Dethier and Zak.
In terms of Tour size, the PGA Tour is adjusting the number of players with full status from the top 125 to the top 100 players on the FedEx Cup list. This change aims to maintain the integrity of having a PGA Tour card and make PGA Tour membership more exclusive and meaningful. While it may be seen as tough for players outside the top 100, it aligns with the Tour’s goal of creating a more cohesive membership structure.
The Tour is making changes to its pathways to the Tour, reducing the number of cards given out by 10. This includes a decrease in spots for Korn Ferry Tour graduates and changes to Q-school and DP World Tour spots. Despite the limitations on KFT cards, maintaining a good relationship with the DP World Tour is essential for the PGA Tour’s global presence. These changes aim to provide a clearer path for players to reach the PGA Tour.
Another significant change is the reduction and elimination of Monday qualifiers, with Monday Qs being eliminated for fields of 120 players or fewer and reduced to two spots for events with 132 players. While Monday qualifiers have been a traditional part of the Tour, they have become an expensive and inefficient process. By reallocating these spots to Tour members, the Tour hopes to improve the quality of its fields.
Pace of play is a central issue in the proposed changes, with adjustments to punishments and fines for slow play. The Tour aims to focus on habitual slow players while providing more leniency in certain areas. This change is seen as a step in the right direction in addressing the problem of slow play on Tour. The writers believe that targeting the slowest players will ultimately improve tournament speeds.
Aside from these major changes, the memo also includes tweaks to C-suite schmoozing and adjustments to FedEx Cup points distribution for Signature Events. These changes aim to streamline player-executive interactions and provide a fairer points system for players. Overall, the writers view these adjustments as positive steps towards creating a more coherent and equitable PGA Tour structure.
In conclusion, both Dethier and Zak believe that the proposed changes by the PGA Tour are largely positive. While some may lament the loss of traditional elements like Monday qualifiers, the overall direction of the Tour towards a more streamlined and exclusive membership structure is seen as necessary for the Tour’s future success. These changes may not solve all of pro golf’s problems, but they represent a step in the right direction towards common sense and efficiency.
