The PGA Tour dusted off the cover of a book that seems like no one wanted to read. With the merger heating up, players are on edge—and the PGA Tour just confirmed their fears. For lesser-known golfers, full-field events were the golden ticket. But long rounds hurt TV ratings, so change is coming.

Starting in 2026, seven PGA Tour events will ditch Monday qualifiers. After 672 players battled in pre-qualifiers at the Sony Open and WM Phoenix Open, officials pulled the plug to avoid daylight issues. What was once a shot at glory? Now just a closed door.

Kevin Streelman has been in opposition with the recent decision, as he said, “We have to make our product good and appealing to our fans and sponsors.” The Sony Open and WM Phoenix Open are the two out of seven events which will have a reduction in field size to 120 players. Then, the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open and Valero Texas Open will get slimed to fields of 132.

Meanwhile, the outrage has also spread on social media. A recent post on X from Monday Q Info shared the details. It shared about the field reduction event has discarded Puerto Rico Open being included in it. The post included, “The PR Open is full of guys who don’t play full time anymore, or even try to play for that matter. 8 more WDs and Johnson Wagner is in the field.” Johnson Wagner, the American professional, played his lone 2023 appearance at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, where he missed the cut.

The post even pointed out the fact about sponsor exemption for the event. It read, “There are also 15 sponsor exemptions. FIFTEEN.” The post continued, “And yet we are taking away Mondays from an opposite field event? Giving talented players a chance to change their life. Fred Biondi and Miles Russell are in the Monday field, if they get in they will probably be in the top 25% of betting odds to win. Rant over.” On fewer chances to qualify, players like 16-year-old Russell may have to take alternate routes like the PGA Tour University Accelerated Program. Fans aren’t happy either, flooding in to slam the end of Monday qualifiers.

Fans’ reaction to the recent update of the PGA Tour

With the decision, fans are obviously not happy as the opportunity to see new talented golfers will be reduced. One of the fans wrote, “Do Better @PGATOUR !!! & @JayMonahanTPC Stop Canceling Monday Qualifiers and Bring them Back!!! @SWSectionPGA @southfloridapga @CarolinasPGA @nfloridapga.” Calling for change, the fan tagged top officials, pushing the league to step up. While meant to enhance the fan experience, the move missed the mark – why not a shot clock instead of cutting opportunities?

Other netizens also joined in writing, “It just doesn’t make sense,” and “Nonsensical decision.” As shared above, golfers like Miles Russell, who is just 16 years old, would not be able to be part of the PGA Tour event. Despite being the top junior golfer, he will have to opt for other ways, which fans are discouraging.

Another fan wrote a story to compare, “The Cinderella story is the ability to earn improbable success through opportunity & hard work. It’s 100% about the unknown athlete owning the moment, conquering the mighty, & inspiring young dreamers. Reducing opportunity seems opposite of growing the game…”

Qualifiers give lesser-known golfers a shot—just like the four who made it at the Cognizant Classic. Patrick Sheehan shot 8-under 64 on Monday, Matthew Riedel shot 7-under 65. While Dyland Wu and Bo Hoag, after their 6-under 66, had to pass through the playoff to qualify. But with the new rule, this will be the history of the sport.

More fans joined to share their thoughts. One wrote, “Yeah. I completely understand the entertainment product side of the highest level pro golf and needing the stars to be front and center.. but outside of those tourneys it needs to be exactly about what you are laying out. So many talented young players who just need a big break.” While the sport needs entertainment and viewership is dropping, the decision still didn’t hold up—limited fields haven’t solved the long play delays.

Now with the fans on the opposite side of the golfer. Will the PGA Tour reverse their decision? Or will more harsh decisions for the less known players be on the way? What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments section below.