Will 2026 Redefine PGA Tour Access?
The PGA Tour has announced a major proposal for altering field sizes and eligibility criteria, potentially transforming the competition landscape for the 2026 season. These proposed changes, crafted by the Player Advisory Council, aim to heighten competitiveness and restructure opportunities for players across all levels. If approved by the policy board next month, these updates could reshape the future of the PGA Tour.
Reducing Fully Exempt Players: Top 100 Focus
A key component of the proposal is to limit the number of fully exempt players to the top 100 on the FedExCup points list, a reduction from the current top 125. This change is intended to increase competition by lowering the fully exempt membership by 20-25%. Players ranked between 101st and 125th would enter a conditional category, under a reorder group that includes graduates from the DP World Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, Q-School, and PGA Tour University.
Impact on Korn Ferry and Q-School Players
The new rules will particularly affect Korn Ferry Tour graduates. For the 2025 season, they will operate under the current system, but starting in 2026, players will need to secure a top-100 ranking (rather than top 125) to maintain full exemption. Furthermore, the number of Korn Ferry Tour graduates with fully exempt status will decrease from 30 to 20, reducing the influx of new talent by a third.
Changes to the Q-School Final Stage
The final stage of Q-School will undergo a significant overhaul. Rather than the former model, which awarded PGA Tour cards to the top five finishers, a playoff system will now determine which five players secure their PGA Tour cards. This adjustment adds a competitive edge for those entering the tour through Q-School.
Smaller Fields in Key Tournaments
To address scheduling issues and prevent play delays, the proposal recommends field size reductions in several tournaments:
- The Players Championship will decrease from 144 to 120 players.
- Pre-Masters tournaments like the American Express and Farmers Insurance Open will also reduce their fields to 120 players.
Signature events will remain unaffected by these field reductions but must adhere to a minimum field size of 72 players to maintain their status.
Removal of Open Qualifiers
One of the most notable proposals is the elimination of open qualifiers for events with fields of 120 or fewer players. Tournaments affected include the Sony Open, WMPO (Waste Management Phoenix Open), and Mexico Open. However, events with 144-player fields will continue to offer four open qualifying spots, ensuring some entry paths remain open for emerging talent.
Sponsor Exemption Updates
The PGA Tour plans to shift sponsor exemption allocations. Under the new system, Korn Ferry Tour graduates will receive priority for restricted sponsor exemptions based on the priority list rather than individual tournament decisions, ensuring fairer distribution.
Adjusted Points Distribution
The proposal includes changes to points distribution, especially in major tournaments, the Players Championship, and signature events:
- Points for finishers outside the top 10 in majors and the top 6 in signature events will be slightly reduced.
- For instance, a seventh-place finisher in a signature event would earn 25 fewer points, while a runner-up in majors would gain an additional 100 points.
Top-10 Exemptions for Amateurs
Starting in 2026, amateur players will be able to use top-10 exemptions to gain entry into the next open-field event, rewarding impressive performances. Additionally, underclassmen who achieve a top-5 finish will earn an extra point toward PGA Tour Accelerated standings, providing a pathway to PGA Tour membership.
Revised Strength-of-Field Requirements
The strength-of-field requirement will no longer apply to signature events, refining the tour’s ranking system. Additionally, exempt members must now participate in a new tournament every three years (reduced from every four years), encouraging greater variety in player engagement across events.
A New Era for PGA Tour Competitiveness
These proposed changes represent a monumental shift in professional golf. By restructuring field sizes, eligibility, and points distribution, the PGA Tour aims to foster a more competitive and balanced environment, ensuring that the world’s premier golf circuit adapts to the evolving needs of players and fans alike.
