PGA Tour Eyes Two-Tier Tournament Structure for 2028 Season

PGA Tour Proposes Two-Track Model Targeting 2028

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp outlined a proposed two-tiered competitive structure during the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, with a potential rollout in 2028. While details remain under discussion with the Future Competition Committee and Player Advisory Council, Rolapp indicated an announcement could come this summer.

Track One: The Elite Circuit

Track One would feature 15–18 tournaments alongside the four majors and The Players Championship. Fields would expand to 120–130 players, a significant departure from the smaller, no-cut Signature Events that have defined recent seasons. The top 90 players in the season-long points standings would retain Track One status for the following year.

Track Two: The Promotion Battle

Track Two players would compete for 20–30 promotion spots to Track One each season, with an additional 10 players from the DP World Tour joining the PGA Tour pipeline. The tour is still deliberating whether mid-season promotion could be possible.

Rolapp framed the change as a return to the sport's roots: the competitive meritocracy that no-cut, low-field events had eroded.

Nicklaus Weighs In

Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, hosting this week's Memorial, voiced concern about the clustering of marquee events on the current schedule. The policy board is expected to vote on the proposal on June 22 ahead of the Travelers Championship.

Strokeslab Perspective

For Strokes Gained analysts, larger fields and restored cuts mean richer data and more meaningful performance comparisons. A merit-based promotion system also creates compelling context for tracking player trajectories through SG metrics season over season.