PGA Tour Announces Sweeping Schedule Changes for 2027

Key Points:

• The PGA Tour Board approved a new competitive model to be implemented in 2028, featuring two distinct series: the PGA Tour Championship Series (top tier) and the PGA Tour Challenger Series (feeder tier).
• The Championship Series will have 23-24 events, including majors and international team events, with fields of about 120 players, no sponsor exemptions, and purses of at least $20 million; it will also introduce a new Tour Championship format integrating match play.
• The Challenger Series will comprise at least 20 events with fields of 144 players, purses of at least $4 million, and serve as the primary pathway to the Championship Series, including mid-season promotion opportunities for players winning twice.
• The new structure aims to provide clarity and stability by establishing firm eligibility rules, distinct points systems for each series, and clearer pathways for player promotion and relegation, addressing past issues with exemptions and unpredictable field compositions.
• Key details about exemption criteria for Championship Series status remain to be finalized, with approximately 130 players exempted, and the distribution of remaining spots expected to impact player careers and international tour integration.