The PGA Tour recently announced that the Shriners Children’s Open will not be taking place in 2025, marking the end of a 42-year run for the tournament. The 2025 FedEx Cup Fall schedule will consist of seven events, with only one change in sponsors for the Japan-based competition, now known as the Baycurrent Classic. The missing event, formerly known as the Panasonic Las Vegas Pro-Celebrity Classic, was a rare stop for the PGA Tour in Nevada and had been sponsored by Shriners since 2008.
J.T. Poston emerged as the winner of the 2024 tournament, with three total victories by Jim Furyk making him the most successful player at the Shriners Children’s Open. Despite the absence of the tournament from the schedule, the PGA Tour’s chief competitions officer, Tyler Dennis, expressed excitement for the upcoming conclusion to the 2025 golf calendar. The changes in the schedule are aimed at providing a lasting impact on communities and ensuring equitable playing opportunities for players.
The reduction in events for 2025 will make it more challenging for players lower down the pecking order to retain their PGA Tour eligibility, as only 100 members will be guaranteed to keep their cards compared to 125 in the previous season. The changes in eligibility criteria are meant to give players receiving cards via various tours a greater certainty of schedule and playing opportunities. The upcoming season promises heightened drama and excitement for fans, with more at stake for players than ever before.
Despite fewer events in the FedEx Cup Fall schedule for 2025, the perks of winning one remain the same, including a two-year PGA Tour exemption, 500 FedEx Cup points, and a start at The Sentry, PGA Championship, and The Masters. The previous FedEx Cup Fall series saw seven players outside of the top 100 move up into that category at the end of the Tour Championship, with five of the winners going on to make the Playoffs in August. The 2025 schedule includes events in four U.S. states, Japan, Mexico, and Bermuda, promising an exciting conclusion to the golf calendar.
The PGA Tour’s dedication to providing equitable opportunities for players and making a positive impact on communities is evident in the changes to the 2025 schedule. While the absence of the Shriners Children’s Open marks the end of an era, the upcoming events promise to be exciting for fans worldwide. With eligibility changes and a heightened level of competition, the 2025 season sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the FedEx Cup Fall. Players will have to navigate a challenging schedule to secure their PGA Tour eligibility and compete for coveted exemptions and points.
