The PGA Tour is evaluating a significant restructuring of its competitive schedule that could dramatically reshape professional golf beginning in 2028.
Under a proposal currently being discussed by PGA Tour leadership and the Future Competition Committee, the Tour would be divided into two competitive levels—Track 1 and Track 2—creating a system that rewards performance while increasing opportunities for players to move between tiers.
The proposed model would feature approximately 15 to 18 Track 1 tournaments, in addition to the four major championships. These events would serve as the Tour’s premier competitions, featuring stronger fields and the largest purses. Current plans call for field sizes of approximately 120 to 130 players, significantly larger than today’s Signature Events.
Track 2 would consist of a separate schedule of tournaments where players compete for advancement to the top level. The concept resembles promotion-and-relegation systems used in international soccer, where strong performance earns access to higher levels of competition.
According to reports, the top 90 players in the season-long standings would retain Track 1 status each year. Additional spots would be awarded to top performers from Track 2, along with players advancing from the DP World Tour. Tour officials are still discussing details regarding player movement between the two levels.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has emphasized that the goal is to create a more compelling competitive structure for both players and fans. The proposed system, according to Reuters, would place greater emphasis on merit-based advancement while restoring some of the competitive pressure that critics say has been diminished by limited-field, no-cut events.
Additional changes under consideration include reducing the FedEx Cup Playoffs from three events to two, expanding the Tour’s presence in major U.S. markets, and potentially incorporating match play into the postseason. Tour officials are also examining scheduling adjustments designed to improve player participation and fan engagement.
While no final decisions have been made, the PGA Tour’s policy board must approve any significant changes. The Tour expects further discussions throughout 2026, with the most substantial elements of the proposed overhaul targeted for implementation in 2028.
If adopted, the new structure would represent one of the most significant changes in PGA Tour history, creating a clearer pathway for emerging players while strengthening the competitive stakes at the highest level of professional golf. (
