On June 24, during a board meeting at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, the PGA Tour officially announced the approval of a restructuring plan for the 2028 season proposed by its Future Competition Committee.
The new tour model features a dual structure, consisting of a "Championship Series" for top-ranked players and a "Challenger Series" for newcomers and challengers.
The Championship Series, equivalent to the first division, will take place from February to August and will include 23 to 24 tournaments, such as the four major championships, the Players Championship, and international team events like the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup. Each event will feature approximately 120 elite players, competing for a minimum total prize purse of $20 million, without preliminary lists or sponsor invitations.
The Challenger Series, representing the second division, will run concurrently with the Championship Series and consist of 20 tournaments with a total prize purse of $4 million. About 144 players, including top performers from the DP World Tour, will compete in this series.
A performance-based promotion and relegation system similar to that used in European soccer will be implemented. At the end of the season, the top 90 players in the Championship Series will be guaranteed a spot in the next season's first division, while those who do not make the survival list will be relegated to the Challenger Series. Conversely, the top 20 players in the Challenger Series will be promoted to the Championship Series for the following season.
Brian L. Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour and the architect of the restructuring plan, stated, "The Future Competition Committee has focused on designing a competitive framework for the PGA Tour that reflects the input of players and the expectations of fans since its inception. As a result, we are providing clearer pathways for players and establishing a merit-based competition system that allows the best players to compete consistently. This competitive framework will serve as a foundation for the future of the PGA Tour, and we will now focus on finalizing the details and preparing for implementation in 2028."
Tiger Woods, chair of the Future Competition Committee, remarked, "This restructuring is significant for establishing a competitive framework for the PGA Tour that benefits future generations of fans and players, rather than focusing on specific individuals. The committee has prioritized enhancing the fan experience and creating a competitive system that allows the PGA Tour, players, and partners to grow together in the long term."
In addition to the tour structure overhaul, a leadership change will occur. Rolapp, who currently leads the tour, has been elected as the successor to Commissioner Jay Monahan, who is completing his term this year. Rolapp will assume both the commissioner and CEO roles starting in 2027.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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