It’s getting harder to stay on the PGA Tour. Here’s why

The PGA Tour is making the most sweeping changes to eligibility in more than 40 years, eliminating 25 tour passes and reducing the size of its fields.

The all-exempt tour had been in effect since 1983; this meant that the top 125 players on the official money list (currently in the FedEx Cup standings) received a full PGA Tour card the following season.

That changes in 2026 after the PGA Tour policy board approved a new list of priorities on Monday.

Only the top 100 players will earn a full tour pass for the following year. The top 30 from the developmental Korn Ferry Tour were on to the PGA Tour. This number has now increased to 20. Five players from qualifying schools will receive cards; was previously in the top five and tied.

The tour is also eliminating 156-man fields, except for two tournaments held on multiple courses. Most tournaments will have 120 players before Daylight Savings Time, then 132 players in the spring, and a maximum of 144 players in the summer.

Let’s take a look at what’s behind the changes and what they mean:

Why is there a need to reduce the number of filled PGA Tour cards?

The all-exempt tour led to an inflated membership, with around 200 players on membership lists through one exemption or another, and those towards the end of the priority list not being able to get into all the tournaments they wanted to play in.

For example, graduates of the Korn Ferry Tour were only able to participate in three or four tournaments in the first few months of the season, putting them at a disadvantage.

The PGA Tour believes that limiting full status to the top 100 rather than the top 125 will give everyone who earns a card a fair chance at qualifying for regular tournaments.

How does the PGA Tour priority list work?

Priority to qualify for tournaments begins with seniors and Players Championship winners in the last five years; Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial and Genesis Invitational for the past three years; Tournament winners and career money leaders for the last two years.

Next up are the top 125; players receiving medical extensions; and then the 45 players who earned cards from the Korn Ferry Tour, the European tour and Q-school. Then there are the FedEx Cup finishers from 126th to 150th.

They all have PGA Tour cards. But there is no place for them in every tournament.

Who benefits from PGA Tour changes?

The most common refrain in golf is to play better to achieve better status. Those who always finish in the top 100 will have no trouble defending their cards, and the fields will be smaller so they will have fewer players to beat.

It also helps newcomers to the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. They can expect to participate in every regular tournament, which could increase their chances of qualifying for some of the $20 million signature events.

The PGA Tour, already golf’s strongest circuit, is likely to become even more competitive, giving top names more chances to compete.

The tour also hopes it will increase the pace of play and prevent rounds from spilling over into the next day (this has yet to be determined).

Who gets hurt by the new PGA Tour rules?

Actors like Peter Malnati and Taylor Pendrith come to mind. Under the new system, neither would have a full PGA Tour card this year and would likely be out of the field at the tournaments they won: Malnati at the Valspar Championship and Pendrith at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. These wins exempt them until 2026.

Players who do not consistently perform well and struggle for a place in the top 125 year after year will need to be at their best to stay on the tour.

What will happen to those who dream of professional golf?

The PGA Tour is also reducing four spots in Monday qualifying at open tournaments. There will now be only two places for 132-player fields and no places for 120-player fields.

One of the charms of golf is how one week can change a career. On the other hand, in the last five years there has been only one qualifier that could be won on Monday: Corey Conners at the 2019 Texas Open.

When do PGA Tour changes begin?

The new eligibility begins in 2026, so we’re placing a heavy emphasis on playing well this year, knowing that only the top 100 will retain full status.

Does this affect branches of golf?

The four majors are not governed by the PGA Tour. The Masters usually has the smallest field, with fewer than 100 players. There are 156-man fields at the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship.

The Players Championship, the flagship event hosted by the PGA Tour, is reducing its field from 144 players to 120.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf