Essential Golf: A passion for the Game

PGA TOUR Reveal Revamp for 2024 Schedule

Rory McIlroy Resigns From PGA TOUR Policy Board
Rory McIlroy has been a strong defender of the PGA TOUR and a stern critic of LIV Golf.

The PGA TOUR has approved changes for the 2024 schedule that will see a number of tournaments have reduced field designation and the elimination of 36-hole cuts.

The designated events, which are yet to be decided, will have their field sizes lowered to 70-78 players and will not include a cut. The field will however include the top 50 players from the previous seasons’ FedExCup standings as well as those listed within the top 10 latest points list.

In addition, five places will be available for players to qualify through the non-designated events.

These changes will not apply to any of the four majors – the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.

These changes from the PGA TOUR are a strategy to prevent more golfers from switching to LIV Golf with PGA TOUR commissioner, Jay Monahan stating that these changes will “deliver substantial, can’t-miss tournaments for the fans”.

Speaking prior to the commencement of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Rory McIlroy, who has been known to be a strong defender of the PGA TOUR and a stern critic of LIV Golf, spoke positively of the revamp.

“It isn’t as if the PGA Tour hasn’t had no-cut events. We have had no-cut events since I have been on Tour for the last 15 years,” said the Northern Irishman.

“The no-cut thing just became a big deal when LIV came around. That was sort of what prompted the whole discussion around it.

“But I think it guarantees the top players there for four days and I am certainly not one to reward mediocrity.

“This is the most aspirational Tour to play in the world and we have to keep it that way.”

World No. 2, Scottie Scheffler, believes that these changes will allow for a more competitive competition.

“You got to earn your way still out here on tour,” the American said.

“There’s plenty of avenues for guys to earn their way into those tournaments, whether it’s this year or next year.”

On the other side of the fence, LIV player Ian Poulter said the changes revealed sounded very similar to another product that’s been spoken so badly about by media and commentators”.

The creation of the new LIV Golf Tour, financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has produced a new tense rivalry within the landscape of the sport. Since its arrival, several professional golfers have switched over from the PGA TOUR to LIV Golf including Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, and Dustin Johnson.