PGA Tour Announces Major Changes with New “Designated Events
The PGA Tour announced dramatic changes to its designated events beginning in 2024 in an effort to guarantee the presence of the game’s top stars and ensure that they are paid more. The size of the field participating in certain competitions will be limited to a range of 70 to 78 players, with no mid-tournament cut.[0] This new structure includes the four majors, the Players Championship, three FedEx Cup Playoffs events, the Sentry Tournament of Champions, Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial, all with fields reduced from the current 156, 144 or 128 to between 70 and 78 players in certain new “designated’’ events open to the elite few who are ranked highly enough.[1]
According to a memo to PGA Tour members Wednesday, the eight designated events in 2024 and beyond will have fields between 70 to 80 players and no cuts.[2] The top 50 players who qualify for the BMW Championship during the previous season’s FedEx Cup playoffs, plus the top 10 players not otherwise eligible on the current FedEx Cup points race, will be eligible to compete in these events, as well as five places earned through performance in non-designated events.[3]
The new system, which was largely orchestrated by Rory McIlroy, also includes an opportunity for players from full-field events to qualify and compete in designated events. “These smaller designated event fields will not only deliver smaller, substantial can’t-miss fields to our fans at important intervals throughout the season, but they will also enhance the quality of full-field events,” said PGA Tour president Jay Monahan.[4]
It appears that the Tour is also considering shortening the amateur portion of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am to 36 holes played on Thursday and Friday only over two courses, rather than all 72 holes over three courses with a 54-hole cut to the top 30 teams.[5]
The changes, which were ratified by the PGA Tour Policy Board Tuesday night, are intended to “transform and set the future direction” for the PGA Tour, and to provide a schedule that is “cohesive, compelling, consequential and with clarity for fans, players and sponsors alike.[6]
0. “PGA Tour approves schedule changes, smaller fields: What does this mean for Tour pros?” The Athletic, 1 Mar. 2023, https://theathletic.com/4265195/2023/03/01/pga-tour-schedule-changes-smaller-fields-elevated-events
1. “PGA Tour becoming like LIV Golf after latest schedule changes” New York Post , 2 Mar. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/03/01/pga-tour-becomes-like-liv-golf-after-latest-schedule-changes
2. “PGA Tour revamps format for designated events, with no cuts” ESPN, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/35762063/pga-tour-revamps-format-designated-events-no-cuts
3. “PGA Tour moves to reduce fields, eliminate cuts at designated events beginning in 2024 season” CBS Sports, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/pga-tour-moves-to-reduce-fields-eliminate-cuts-at-designated-events-beginning-in-2024-season
4. “PGA Tour to overhaul schedule for 2024” TSN, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.tsn.ca/golf/bob-weeks-pga-tour-to-overhaul-schedule-for-2024-1.1925412
5. “Pebble Beach Pro-Am will be designated event in 2024, may reduce amateur, celebrity portion, per report” CBS Sports, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/pebble-beach-pro-am-will-be-designated-event-in-2024-may-reduce-amateur-celebrity-portion-per-report/
6. “LIV Golf, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter troll PGA Tour over new reported no-cut events” GolfWRX, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.golfwrx.com/707672/liv-golf-lee-westwood-and-ian-poulter-troll-pga-tour-over-new-reported-no-cut-events/
