“It Seems Like a Foregone Conclusion”

The PGA Tour is closer to announcing sweeping changes that will be implemented at the start of the 2026 season. According to multiple sources, among the proposed changes are a reduction in field sizes, the elimination of 10 Korn Ferry Tour graduate cards, a reduction in full PGA Tour cards from 125 to 100, the elimination of the two sponsor exemption spots, and the elimination of two Monday qualifying spots (this one hurts). 

The changes have not yet been voted on, but the details of the proposed changes were sent to players via email, and seemed to be agreed upon by the Tour and voting members.

"It seems like a foregone conclusion,” said one PGA Tour member.

According to the sources I spoke with, field sizes of regular season PGA Tour events will be reduced from 156 and 144 (for most), to as low as 120. Signature events would remain with the same format they currently have. Among the reasons the proposal stated for the change is to give players enough time to get physical therapy following rounds. One Tour member I spoke with said, "We need to enforce the pace of play policy.” The player also added that they already have plenty of time before and after rounds for physical therapy. 

The reduction in field size will mean fewer cards available at the end of the season for PGA Tour members. In the proposal, the number of exempt cards at the end of the season will be reduced from 125 to 100, and the elimination of cards doesn't stop there. 

Just two years ago, the KFT had 50 PGA Tour cards available: 25 cards were handed out during the regular season, and another 25 were available at KFT Finals. The fields at KFT Finals consisted of players who finished below 125th in points on the PGA Tour, and those finishing 26th to 75th in KFT points. Two seasons ago, a Finals series that sent those two groups to play for the final 25 PGA Tour cards was eliminated. This season, the top 30 on the season-long KFT points race earned a PGA Tour card. Only 20 players will earn their PGA Tour card via the KFT if this proposal is approved. 

Among other changes being discussed is the elimination of the Past Champions and Medical Exemptions categories.

Corey Conners was the last Monday qualifier to win a PGA Tour event at the 2018 Valero Texas Open. That Monday, he finished in a six-way tie for the final qualifying spot and won the playoff. Six days later, a victory earned him a trip to his first Masters. In 2026, the number of Monday qualifiers in regular PGA Tour events will be reduced from four to two. With only two spots available in the proposal, perhaps the next Monday qualifier to win a Tour event will not emerge. There are also discussions that Monday qualifiers will be limited to current PGA Tour members but that proposal hasn't been finalized. 

According to players I spoke with, the Tour pointed out the percentage of made cuts by Monday qualifiers (around 29%) as one reason for the elimination of two spots. 

The elimination of Monday qualifying spots is likely to significantly affect the bottom line of PGA of America sections around the country. According to an executive director of a PGA section I spoke with, an important part of their revenue comes from hosting Tour qualifiers.

If approved and implemented, the changes would demonstrate the power of top players who have advocated for a smaller Tour, and the lack of influence players down the priority list have. With the reduction in field sizes and cards, earning and maintaining a job on the PGA Tour is about to be more difficult than ever. 

The Tour’s policy board is scheduled to meet in November to vote on the proposal. 

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