PGA Tour set for major overhaul with two-track system

The PGA Tour has unveiled proposals for a major overhaul of its competitive structure. This change is coming through the Future Competition Committee, chaired by Tiger Woods. 

CEO of the tour, Brian Rolapp, detailed six key themes emerging from over 30 meetings with players, advisors, and partners, aimed at creating a merit-based model that serves fans, players, and sponsors better. 

Central to these ideas stands a two-tier system, or “two tracks” of events, where a premier track features 21-26 high-stakes tournaments from late January to early September, including the four majors, The Players, playoffs, and an expansion of signature events from eight to 16.

The second track would consist of complementary events positioned around the premier ones during the regular season and into the fall, allowing most current tournaments to find a place in the lineup. 

Promotion and relegation would link the tracks, following the format from football leagues, with players progressing based on performance, potentially at season’s end or even mid-season. 

This setup builds on existing pathways like the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas, which remain vital. 

Rolapp stressed meritocracy as the core strength, ensuring every event carries weight and top players appear together more often.

Other changes target field compositions and scheduling. Signature events could grow to 120-player fields with meaningful cuts restored across all tournaments, clarifying the competitive landscape for everyone involved.

The season might kick off at an iconic venue like Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach, or TPC Scottsdale, moving away from Hawaii uncertainties.

The Tour plans to enter bigger U.S. markets such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Boston to boost visibility.

Postseason enhancements could introduce match play, traditional or medal style, at the Tour Championship or earlier playoff stops, delivering win-or-go-home drama while staying true to golf’s essence. 

For now, there are no final decisions yet, as the committee gathers more input, with updates expected at the Travelers Championship in June and Tour Championship in August. 

Some tweaks may roll out for 2027, like a mid-January start at The American Express, but the major changes are expected to arrive by 2028.