The PGA Tour plans to introduce clear promotion and relegation between tournaments’ ‘two-track system’ as part of wider changes to the schedule.
The Future Competition Committee, chaired by Tiger Woods, launched last August at the Tour Championship to build “the best version of the PGA Tour,” and CEO Brian Rolapp provided an update on their vision ahead of The Players.
Rolapp said the PGA Tour’s plans are “by no means a baked cake” and revealed six “key themes” emerging for the tour’s improvement, but admitted nothing has been finalized yet.
Plans include doubling the number of signature events and bringing the player field closer to 120 as part of the 21-26 event season, with the campaign running from late January to early September.
They are kicking off the season at iconic venues on the west coast and looking for new locations to host events, targeting ‘key markets with strong demand’ for golf and ‘opportunities to reach new fans’.
It has also been confirmed that they are assessing promotion and relegation to bring a merit-based route to the biggest events, while exploring ways to enhance the post-season, including the possibility of match play events.
“We’re aiming to create a more cohesive schedule with a simple points system that puts the best players competing against each other more often,” Rolapp said during a press conference at the PGA Tour’s global home next to TPC Sawgrass.
How do promotions and relegations work?
Promotion has effectively ended on the PGA Tour, with players dropping down to the Korn Ferry Tour if they do not secure a high enough ranking in the season-long FedExCup standings, but the new system includes relegation within the main level.
Signature events now make up the bulk of the ‘upper tier’ schedule, while also having a ‘second track’ of PGA Tour tournaments where players can earn their spots at bigger events.
“We see this strongly elsewhere, including in English football, where clubs move between the Premier League and Championship depending on performance,” Rolapp explained.
“Applying elements of this approach to the PGA Tour can have real results that raise the standard of competition across platforms. If you play well, you will have the opportunity to compete at the biggest events and earn more money.”
Signature events are currently limited-field events that offer higher prize money and FedExCup points, and while some offer no cuts, the PGA Tour is now targeting ‘events with close to 120-player fields with cuts.’
“Our premier events will have larger fields,” Rolapp added. “It continues to be important, helping fans know who to watch and showing them who they want to see, the most competitive players.
“It helps our partners know what they’re investing in and helps players embrace a meritocracy while better understanding the competitive landscape on their schedules.”
What about DP World Tour and LIV Golf?
Rolapp made no mention of the strategic partnership with DP World Tour in his opening remarks, but later discussed that working with them on this transformation was ‘a very important agenda item.’
The LIV Golf League was also missing from his initial remarks, and Rolapp later confirmed that improving the PGA Tour product was more important than attempting to unify the men’s game.
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The stars of the PGA Tour will gather at TPC Sawgrass this week for The Players, broadcast live all week on Sky Sports.
“I think I’m clear about this: my job is to make the PGA Tour better,” Rolapp explained. “I’m open to whatever makes the PGA Tour better. That’s my brief: better for the fans, better for our members. So that’s what I’m focused on, that’s where I’m putting all my efforts.”
The PGA Tour created a returning member program to find a way for Brooks Koepka to return after leaving LIV Golf. However, there are no plans to welcome athletes to compete on both circuits.
“We have been very explicit that it is a one-time, situational returning member program, and I support that,” Rolapp said. “I think the LIV players know what the path is, and until they change, that will be the path.”
Regarding LIV players who may appear on The Players, Rolapp said: “That (including LIV players from The Players) is not a priority I put on the list. It’s not something I’ve ever considered. There are other priorities out there.”
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It has been 25 years since Tiger Woods first won the Players Championship. En route to victory at TPC Sawgrass, he hit one of the most iconic putts in tour history, birdieing the par-3 17th hole in the third round.
How likely is this to happen?
Rolapp stressed that nothing has been finalized yet and that no recommendations have been passed on to the player-led board through a “complex process” involving collaboration with players, partners and stakeholders.
Additional announcements are expected at the Travelers Championship in June following the board meeting, and another update is expected during the season-ending Tour Championship.
Any changes will be made through a ‘rolling approach’ and while some could come in as early as next season, Rolapp did not expect any major changes until the 2028 campaign.
“We will continue to move with urgency, but we are focused on moving in the right direction. We are certainly proud of our history and are also focused on building the strongest possible future for our game and our fans.”
Watch The Players live all week long on Sky Sports. The live broadcast begins at 11.30am on Thursdays and Fridays and 1pm on weekends and includes highlights from Sky Sports Golf and additional shows. Access or stream Sky Sports with no contract.
