The American Tour is changing. For worse or better, we will find out. The PGA Tour has proposed several changes that will be enforced from the 2026 season. The proposal sent to players on Tuesday and obtained by The Associated Press was under development by the 16-member Player Advisory Council since May. Among the new changes that have been sent out, the full status on the PGA Tour given to 125 players—a number established in 1983—will be reduced to 100, and most of the events will have a field of 144 players instead of 156, except for the signature events, which will have the same format.

Some of them might have a total field of as few as 120 members, which includes the PLAYERS Championship. Dan Rappaport took to his official X account, sharing the news of the major changes:

“Pretty significant changes announced by the PGA Tour today that, if approved” would go into effect in 2026:
—”Full status” on the PGA Tour would be only top 100 in FedEx, not 125
—”Full-field” event now 144, no more 156
—Players Championship down from 144 players to 120
—Korn Ferry cards down from 30 to 20
—Monday Q’s gone for any event with 120 players or less, down from 4 to 2 in events with 132″

These changes seem to be a part of redefining the tour. Also, the tour seems to be strengthening its position to draw a distinction from the LIV Golf League by challenging its members to play better if they want to keep their tour status.

Here’s the thing: The PIF-PGA Tour merger was signed almost fifteen months ago. The missed deadline for the framework agreement to come into motion is nearing almost a year. With no concrete updates so far, fans and golfers are frustrated. It turns out Greg Norman too had his set of accusations for Jay Monahan for the same. In an interview with Sports Illustrated two days ago, he spoke about the ongoings of the golf world.

Talking about the merger between the two leagues, he stated, “I can only speak on LIV’s behalf, and we’re moving forward irrespective (of a deal). Would it make things easier? Yes, it would.” However, just like the rest of the golf community, he is also unaware of the timeline. But what confuses him is how long the simple process is taking and he holds Monahan accountable for making it so complex.

“But knowing as an outsider looking in, since Day 1 three years ago, is the fact that this was such a simple fix. I will go to my grave wondering about those first 18 months (with LIV) and why. Knowing where we are today. Knowing the acceptance of what LIV Golf is today. Why did it have to be that way?”

“You sit back and see all the people in the industry who created this angst. I just wish I could go back in time and revisit the start. And knowing what they know would they have done things differently. I bet they would have,” Norman stated.

Now the PGA Tour members had earlier shown their dislike for at least the reduction of the Monday qualifiers, this new proposal for 2026 seems to have rubbed people the wrong way.

The golf community advises firing Jay Monahan

According to the Sports Business Journal Reports, this season has witnessed a 2.2 million drop in the viewership rate, excluding the majors. It is around 20% down (2.7 m) from its previous year. While this might be because of star players moving to LIV Golf, a part of it is also because of the channels cutting down their resources and investing money in the players.

NBC has been fixating on commercializing the game. The sport has become a center of entertainment lately with matches like The Showdown, and Creators Classic taking place. It would be wrong to assume that fans care as much about these events as they do about other historic events.

Describing this, one fan mentioned, “Professional golf as we “knew” it will continue to shrink….wouldn’t surprise me if we end up at 10-15 events that people care about across the world, plus majors, and the rest is entertainment… indoor, team, exhibition, YouTube, etc.”

The PGA Tour will continue to prioritize the stars of the game and reduce opportunities for growing players if proposed changes are passed. While the PAC members believe it is in the best interest of the Tour to bring about more merit. However, the reduction in the number of players retaining their cards is certainly controversial. Since 1983, the top 125 players have enjoyed full playing membership, but these changes will restrict entry while allowing for smaller fields.

Hence, one social media user wrote, “As they cut the number of players due to not getting all the players in on Thursday and Friday.. all due to horrific slow play.. now their answer is the slow them down more. Typical incompetence on Jay Monahan.. and the boys’ club players advisory council.. time for LIV.”

The PGA Tour commissioner has faced constant criticism over how he has been handling the peace of the league with his board members with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) bankrolling LIV Golf. Many people have straight away asked him to resign, and well, this includes the PGA Tour pros too. This is because of the lack of transparency in the negotiations between PIF and LIV.

On June 6, players were so confused about the direction of the PGA Tour that at least one reportedly called for commissioner Jay Monahan’s resignation. Well, the calls have not been stopped yet, given that with every decision taken by him, he seems to only have left the golf fans with disappointment.

• “Fire Jay Monahan.”
• “PGA pros can make a good living giving lessons, etc.; they are the only ones allowed to do it for money. Jay Monahan is horrible, though. Make a deal with Liv. Consolidate the tours. Get rid of the old money and make it accessible to the average person.”

The Shriners Children’s Hospital was the longest sponsor name for the tour being associated since 2007. However, after 18 years, they have decided not to renew the contract, without stating any official reason, after the 2024 edition. Taking to this, one of them commented,

“Jay Monahan is single-handedly destroying the @PGATOUR. gee, I wonder why they just lost another big sponsor on the fall tour (18 years for Shriners)???”

What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments section below!