Arabic version: جولة PGA تقدم نظام الترقية والهبوط بدءًا من 2028
Promotion and relegation will be a key element of a revamped PGA Tour from 2028, as announced during a news conference fronted by Tiger Woods. Woods, the chairman of the tour’s Future Competitions Committee, highlighted the committee’s extensive discussions over the past eight months aimed at enhancing the PGA Tour experience for players and fans alike. According to BBC News, this announcement precedes the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
The new structure will feature two tiers of competition: the “Championship Series” and the “Challenger Series.” The Championship Series will host tournaments comprising 120-man fields, including the four major championships, with each event offering a minimum purse of $20 million. The top 90 players at the end of the year will preserve their status in this elite tier.
Conversely, the Challenger Series will run concurrently with the Championship Series, offering purses of at least $4 million. Players can earn promotion to the Championship Series by winning two events within the same season. Additionally, there will be opportunities for players facing relegation to retain their status through “last chance” competitions in the autumn.
PGA Tour Chief Executive Brian Rolapp indicated that the tour is also considering its relationship with the European DP World Tour, which is up for renewal next year. He mentioned that the European tour is likely to have a role in helping stage international tournaments, including national opens, in the autumn months. The exact details regarding the continuation of PGA Tour cards for top finishers on the DP World Tour remain undecided.
Rolapp emphasized the importance of evolving the PGA Tour to remain competitive in attracting media dollars, which are crucial for the sport’s financial health. Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, expressed his support for the changes, calling it a positive step for professional golf and emphasizing the need for a meritocratic structure that benefits both players and fans.
