The Player Advisory Council (PAC) of the PGA Tour has suggested significant adjustments to the FedEx Cup point system, tournament field sizes, and tour card distribution. These recommendations focus on a number of crucial areas within the PGA Tour structure, particularly those related to admission and qualification requirements, with the goal of maximizing player experience and competitive fairness.
The 2026 season will mark the start of these changes if they are accepted by the PGA Tour policy board on November 18. Here’s a closer look at the suggested modifications, which include smaller fields, revised tour card distributions, player conditional categories, and an improved FedEx Cup scoring structure.
Contents
- 1 1. Field Size Reductions for Specific Events
- 2 2. We have introduced a new conditional category and simplified the allocation of tour cards
- 3 3. Effect on Monday Qualifiers and Open Qualifying Slots
- 4 4. The priority ranking system and sponsor exemptions have been improved
- 5 5. Updated distribution of FedEx Cup points for important events
- 6 With this new arrangement:
1. Field Size Reductions for Specific Events
Reducing the maximum number of players in specific PGA Tour tournaments is one of the PAC’s main proposals. Nowadays, up to 156 players can usually be accommodated on the starting field in open, one-course, full-field competitions. This would be lowered to 144 players under the suggested criteria and then further lowered (from 132 to 120) in cases where outside factors, like restricted daylight, are present.
According to a PAC analysis, darkness caused delays at over 28% of 2024 tournaments, highlighting the necessity of reduced field sizes. By lowering the number of players, PAC hopes to cut down on delays, which will speed up play and guarantee that tournaments end on time. Notably, fields for competitions like the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open would drop from 156 to 144 players, while the Players Championship would drop from 144 to 120 players. However, the American Express and other multi-course competitions will maintain their higher field sizes of 156 players.
The PAC also thought about changing the field sizes of high-stakes, limited-entry competitions, such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Memorial Tournament, but eventually opted against it in order to prevent interfering with fan interaction and game comprehension.
2. We have introduced a new conditional category and simplified the allocation of tour cards
The allocation of PGA Tour cards is about to undergo a major change. The top 125 finishers in the FedEx Cup points standings now hold onto their full playing rights and tour cards for the upcoming season. The PAC, however, suggests that only the top 100 players would be eligible for full tour participation, adding a conditional category for players who position between 101st and 125th. Those who just miss the full-status cutoff would be granted some tour privileges, preserving their chances of competing the next season.
The PAC suggests cutting the number of annual tour cards from 30 to 20 in order to improve the Korn Ferry Tour, a major source for PGA Tour players. However, Q-school rewards would be limited to five cards, while the DP World Tour will still grant 10 PGA Tour cards annually.
3. Effect on Monday Qualifiers and Open Qualifying Slots
The PAC’s plan would limit open qualifying, sometimes known as “Monday qualifying,” for events with fewer than 144 participants in order to lessen the impact that reduced field sizes have on prospective players. Open qualification gives players who aren’t regular tour members an opportunity to participate in specific events under the present regulations. But according to PAC’s data analysis, 65–75% of Monday qualifiers do not advance, which sparked conversations about how to improve non-member access while maintaining competitive balance.
Open qualifying would not alter for FedEx Cup Fall events, which are not included in this plan. The PGA Tour intends to work with the PGA of America to modify local Monday qualifying regulations if the proposed modifications are approved.
4. The priority ranking system and sponsor exemptions have been improved
A limited number of players who do not meet the usual qualifying requirements can participate in events thanks to sponsor exemptions. Instead of being at the whim of event sponsors, the proposed modifications would give players placed next in line based on the proposed priority system restricted sponsor exemptions (two spots on the PGA Tour and two on the DP World Tour). This attempts to make the process more transparent and consistent. Unrestricted sponsor exemptions will continue to exist, as they are determined exclusively by event sponsors.
5. Updated distribution of FedEx Cup points for important events
The PAC suggests minor changes to the FedEx Cup points system, especially in major tournaments, the Players Championship, and marquee events, in response to the updated tournament calendar and field strength.
With this new arrangement:
Near-victories would be rewarded with an additional 100 points for second-place finishes at the Players Championship and big tournaments.
Points would be gradually reduced for players who placed 11th or lower in these prestigious competitions, dropping by 10 points for 11th place, 20 points for 12th, and so on.
In order to maintain an edge for players with higher rankings, players who placed seventh or lower would also get somewhat smaller point allocations during signature events.
PAC In a recent letter to members, Chairman Camilo Villegas discussed these recommendations and emphasized the goal of “addressing certain issues getting in the way of a fair and ideal player experience.” He went on to say that the suggested modifications are meant to “achieve the highest level of competition,” emphasizing a level and more equitable playing field.
The PGA Tour’s PAC is advocating for deliberate reforms that seek to maximize tournament scheduling, balance player competition, and improve the openness of qualifying procedures. In order to improve the experience and opportunity for both existing and prospective PGA Tour players, the PAC plans to make changes to field sizes, tour card distribution, sponsor exemption regulations, and the FedEx Cup points system. If approved, these changes might mark the beginning of a new era of higher standards for the PGA Tour in 2026.
