The PGA TOUR‘s Policy Board have approved a series of proposed changes in a 23-page memo leaked on October 16. The adjustments are set to bring sweeping changes in areas like pace of play, field sizes, tour eligibility, and qualifiers. The vote is the tour’s most significant overhaul since the all-exempt initiative was introduced in 1983. The proposed changes have elicited heated reactions among players and industry stakeholders. We enlighten you about the proposals that will become law.
Key Adjustments
Reduction in Field Sizes and Adjusted Tee Times
One key proposed change is to reduce field sizes at specific tournaments based on location and season timing. An open tournament held on one course will have a new maximum field size of 144 players, down from 156. Full-field events before daylight saving time will cap participants at 120, while those past daylight-saving time will have a 132-player field. The measures aim to curb rounds from being delayed into the evening. Group numbers per round will also be adjusted slightly from 13 to 12, allowing extra time between tee times, improving round flow, and reducing bottlenecks.
Some notable PGA TOUR events to experience reduced field sizes when the changes take effect include:
- The Players Championship – 144 to 120
- WM Phoenix Open – 132 to 120
- RBC Canadian Open – 156 to 144
- ZOZO Championship – 78 to 72
- Valspar Championship 144 to 132
- John Deere Classic – 156 to 144
New Pace of Play Metrics and Penalties
Another major adjustment targets the pace of play and penalties, where the PGA TOUR plans to introduce an enhanced Average Stroke Time (AST) metric that will enable them to track the time each player takes to execute shots effectively. Golfers who regularly exceed 12 seconds above the field average will receive infractions and concede fines after two violations.
The proposed penalty structure will intensify progressively, with the third infraction costing the player $5,000 and escalating significantly to $50,000 for ten infractions incurred within a season. The new system seeks to motivate officials to enforce penalties with reduced initial infractions and effectively encourage faster play among golfers.
Refinements to Out-of-Position Rules
Another interesting change will be updating the “out of position” definition, especially for par-3 holes, where currently, groups often face delays if the group before them is still on the tee for the following hole. Under the new proposed policy changes, all groups will remain on schedule by removing penalties for “out of position” cases where delays are considerably unavoidable. The change will positively impact the game by reducing unnecessary penalties, minimizing bottlenecks on busy holes, and creating a more consistent, fairer rule application.
Elimination of Some Monday Qualifiers
Tournaments that experience reduced field sizes will also see the number of their Monday qualifying spots shrink or eliminated. Once the proposals come into play, 132-player fields will only have two qualifying spots down from four, while tournaments capped at 120 players will no longer feature Monday qualifiers. Reducing or eliminating qualifiers will help ease the overall flow of tournament logistics, lessen event-day demands, and streamline pre-event schedules.
Reduction of Exemption and Promotion Categories
The PGA TOUR also seeks to redefine what it means to have a card and its significance, challenging its members to play better to keep their tour status. Since 1983’s all-exempt initiative, 125 fully exempt players have been retaining their tour cards off the FedEx Cup points list each season. However, the number will be reduced to 100 if the proposed changes take effect in 2026.
Another key change from the policy will be reducing the number of PGA TOUR cards awarded through the Korn Ferry Tour from 30 to 20. Although the Korn Ferry Tour remains the primary pathway to the PGA TOUR, the card reduction is relatively significant, considering that the DP World Tour will still receive ten cards for its top players on the Race to Dubai race. Players graduating from the Q-School will also be capped at the top five finishers instead of the earlier top five and ties.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 proposals are a testament to the PGA TOUR’s commitment to a fairer, faster-paced experience for players, tournament organizers, and fans. We could also witness minor adjustments in the point distribution of signature events, further streamlining player progression on the tour. With the proposals passed, players can avoid unnecessary fines while still upholding professional pace-of-play standards, and fans will enjoy an enhanced spectator experience.