How the PGA Tour will decide who makes the new Championship Series in 2028

Key Points:

• The PGA Tour’s new two-tier structure starting in 2028 will feature a Championship Series with 120 players, where only the top 90 retain guaranteed spots for the following year, and the remaining players are relegated to the Challenger Series.
• Promotion to the Championship Series from the Challenger Series will include the top 20 players from the 144-man Challenger field and any player who wins two Challenger events in a season; additional spots are awarded through PGA Tour University rankings and a new “Last Chance” series.
• Top 50 career money earners on the PGA Tour receive a one-time exemption to remain in the Championship Series if relegated, and winners of Championship Series events, majors, or the Players Championship earn a two-year exemption, though multiple wins in a season do not extend this further.
• The transition year in 2027 will honor existing exemptions and allocate Championship Series spots based on tournament wins, FedEx Cup points, Korn Ferry Tour finishes, and other criteria to set the initial field for 2028.
• The status of LIV Golf players in relation to the new structure remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about access via the DP World Tour and suspensions potentially impacting their eligibility; notable players with exemptions include Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson.