Inicio Main Tours PGA Tour Deep changes in the structure of PGA Tour tournaments for 2026
The options for accessing the PGA Tour are reduced, but the 10 cards to the DP World Tour are maintained

Deep changes in the structure of PGA Tour tournaments for 2026

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The PGA Tour announced on Tuesday that it is considering a proposal from the Player Advisory Council (PAC) to undertake a significant overhaul of its tournament structure, as well as the pathways to the circuit, which would come into effect in 2026. The aim of these measures is to raise the level of the tour, as well as improve the pace of play during competition days.

The measures proposed by the PAC are as follows:

– Reduce the maximum number of players in a PGA Tour tournament from 156 to 144, and decrease to 132 or even 120 when daylight circumstances require it. This means offering fewer playing opportunities so that the courses are not as crowded, improving the pace of play and competitiveness.

– The players who retain their card each year would be reduced from 125 to 100, and a conditional category would be created, with fewer playing opportunities, for those finishing between positions 101 and 125.

– Reduce the number of cards from the Korn Ferry Tour from 30 to 20.

– Limit the cards from the PGA Tour School to 5.

– Maintain the 10 cards from the DP World Tour.

– Reduce the spots reserved for Monday qualifiers. If the tournament is 120 players or fewer, there would be no qualifier. If it is 132 or more, the spots would go from four to two. According to their studies, 65-70 percent of players coming from Monday qualifiers do not make the cut.

– Reduce to two the sponsor invitations limited to PGA Tour members. Additionally, whenever possible, it will be recommended that these invitations be for the first alternates.

– Grant amateurs the opportunity to play the following week if they finish in the top 10 of a PGA Tour tournament. Additionally, add one more point in the PGA Tour University ranking for those who finish in the top 5.

This proposal has been developed after consulting with various player subcommittees responsible for competitions and regulations, access pathways to the PGA Tour, tournaments, fans, sponsors, and business. These subcommittees were created this year to provide players with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in different areas and offer their direct opinion on TOUR-related business.

The optimal size of tournaments has been sought to offer a better experience for players, fans, and television broadcasts. 28% of the tournaments in 2024 had at least one round that was not completed on the day due to lack of daylight. Similarly, the categories for eligibility on the circuit were examined. They focused on determining an appropriate number of members based on competitiveness.

According to these analyses, it was determined that the number of exempt members should be reduced by approximately 20-25%. To identify the most competitive players, the Rules and Competitions subcommittee analysed performance metrics, including scoring average, strokes gained, the Official World Golf Ranking, and historical TOUR card retention rates. It was concluded that it should be reduced to 100, instead of 125.

On the upcoming 18th of November, the PGA Tour council will meet to vote on this proposal. If it goes ahead, which no one doubts, the American circuit will undergo significant changes in its structure starting in 2026.

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