PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp unveils sweeping changes to pro golf

Key Points:

• The PGA Tour will introduce a new competitive model starting in the 2028 season, featuring two distinct tournament series: the premier PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series, which serves as a pathway to the top tier.
• This two-track system, inspired by promotion and relegation formats in sports like soccer, aims to enhance meritocracy, increase stakes, and create more consistent competition among the best players.
• The Championship Series will offer minimum weekly purses of $20 million at high-profile venues, while the Challenger Series will feature at least 20 events with purses of $4 million or more, with promotion and relegation between the two circuits based on player performance.
• The season will run from February through August, include major championships and international team events, and reintroduce match play playoffs, adding a head-to-head competition element similar to formats in NCAA basketball and World Cup soccer.
• The new format comes amid ongoing challenges in professional golf, including competition from the rival LIV Golf League, which is currently seeking new funding after the Saudi Public Investment Fund ended its support.