The PGA Tour Policy Board is set to vote on a number of changes that include reducing field sizes and the number of fully exempt cards available starting in 2026. Lucas Glover, a former U.S. Open champion, is strongly opposed to these changes, calling them “terrible” and questioning the reasoning behind them. He believes that reducing field sizes to address pace of play issues is not the right approach and suggests that enforcing a better pace of play policy would be more effective.
Glover points out that the number of slow players on the Tour has increased significantly over the years, making it a more pressing issue. He feels that cutting fields to accommodate a few players is not fair to the majority of players whose livelihood depends on playing golf. Despite Glover’s opposition, Gary Young, the Tour’s senior vice president of rules and competition, believes that reducing field sizes will indeed help improve pace of play.
Young argues that current field sizes of 156 players lead to congestion on the course, resulting in slower play. By reducing field sizes to a maximum of 144 players, the Tour aims to create larger tee-time intervals and alleviate congestion on the course. He also emphasizes the importance of maximizing starts for members while considering time constraints and daylight hours for each event on Tour.
Glover suggests that a better enforcement of the existing pace of play policy would be more effective in addressing slow play issues. He proposes a system where players are penalized immediately for exceeding time limits, rather than going through a multi-tiered warning process. However, Young acknowledges that the current system may not lead to significant changes in the number of slow play penalties, unless players themselves advocate for stricter enforcement.
If the changes to field sizes are approved, it is unlikely to lead to a significant increase in slow play penalties unless the structure of the process is altered. The Tour will continue to monitor pace of play issues and make adjustments as needed based on player feedback. Despite the differing views on how to address pace of play, the overall goal is to ensure a smoother and more efficient playing experience for all players on Tour.
In conclusion, the debate over reducing field sizes as a means to improve pace of play continues within the PGA Tour community. While some, like Lucas Glover, believe that other solutions should be considered, others, like Gary Young, see reducing field sizes as a necessary step to address congestion on the course. Ultimately, the decision will be made by the PGA Tour Policy Board, taking into account the input of players and officials. The goal is to find a balance that benefits the majority of players while maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the Tour.
