THE PGA TOUR BOARDS have approved a series of recommendations from the Future Competition Committee, ushering in a new competitive structure that will feature two distinct series of tournaments and will debut for the 2028 season.
The new model is built upon a foundation of meritocracy, with players moving between the two series, the PGA TOUR Championship Series and the PGA TOUR Challenger Series, through a formalized structure of promotion and relegation. The competitive stakes have never been higher, and the new model affords increased competitive clarity and a more compelling experience for players, fans and partners.
“From day one, the focus of the Future Competition Committee has been to build the best version of the PGA TOUR, and to do so in a way that reflects the voice of our players and the expectations of our fans,” said PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp. “The result is a new competitive model grounded in meritocracy, with clearer pathways, higher stakes and more consistency when the best players compete together.”
The new system begins at the top, with the PGA TOUR Championship Series offering a consistent schedule of playing opportunities for the best players in the world. It will feature approximately 23-24 events, inclusive of THE PLAYERS Championship, the majors and international team events (Presidents Cup, Ryder Cup), with the season running approximately February to August.
The PGA TOUR has already lined up an initial set of 10 of its expected 15 PGA TOUR Championship Series regular season events for 2028. The remaining events will either be filled by existing events or new markets under consideration, such as Boston, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Each PGA TOUR Championship Series event will boast a purse of at least $20 million, including fields of approximately 120 players with no alternate list and no sponsor exemptions. Each regular season event will feature 72 holes with a 36-hole cut to the top 65 and ties, with consideration for special formats (i.e. pro-am). The PGA TOUR Championship Series will also feature a reimagined postseason, including the introduction of match play, with a new-look TOUR Championship contested across a rotation of prestigious courses – many of which the PGA TOUR would play for the first time.
