The PGA Tour is undergoing significant changes, as announced by the Player Advisory Council (PAC) in a 23-page document. These changes, set to go into effect in 2026, include modifications to field sizes, pace of play, Monday qualifying tournaments, and the number of fully exempt players on the Tour. The PAC chairman, Camilo Villegas, had previously hinted at these changes in a memo, and they are expected to be officially approved by the Tour’s Policy Board in a vote on November 18. One of the most significant changes is the reduction of fully exempt players from 125 to 100, which will make competition on the PGA Tour more intense and raise the standard of play.
The decrease in field sizes for PGA Tour events is another notable change aimed at addressing challenges such as pace of play and limited daylight. Field sizes will be capped at 120 players for some events in the spring, 132 players for others later in the year, and 144 players for tournaments in the summer. These reductions in field sizes, along with the decrease in fully exempt players, will heighten the importance of each spot on the Tour and make competition more intense. The changes are also intended to make tournaments run more efficiently and ensure that rounds are completed on time without delays due to darkness.
In addition to changes in field sizes, the qualification process for players coming from the Korn Ferry Tour, Q-school, and Monday qualifying tournaments will also be adjusted. Monday qualifying spots will be eliminated for events with 120 players or less, and the number of players earning full status from the Korn Ferry Tour and DP World Tour will be reduced. These changes are aimed at streamlining the qualification process and ensuring that players earn their spots on the Tour based on merit. The PAC, which consists of 16 players including Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler, played a significant role in formulating these changes.
The restructuring of membership on the PGA Tour is the most thorough reassessment of the Tour’s infrastructure in a long time, and it has been driven by the need to adapt to challenges posed by other competing golf leagues, such as LIV Golf. The departure of some of the Tour’s top players to LIV Golf, as well as the rise of guaranteed contracts, forced the Tour to reevaluate its product and make changes to remain competitive. While some may view the changes as a stiff-arm to middle-ranking players, they are ultimately aimed at creating a more meritocratic system and maintaining the Tour’s competitive edge.
Overall, the changes proposed by the PAC represent a significant shift in the Tour’s operations and are expected to have a profound impact on the way the PGA Tour functions. By reducing field sizes, reevaluating the qualification process, and limiting the number of fully exempt players, the Tour aims to raise the level of competition, address challenges related to pace of play and daylight, and ensure that players earn their spots based on merit. The approval of these changes by the Tour’s Policy Board on November 18 will mark a new era for professional golf and pave the way for a more competitive and efficient PGA Tour.
