After Rory McIlroy “unpopularly” called for a more “cutthroat” PGA Tour, the Policy Board has now approved a range of drastic changes.
Speaking after the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Northern Irish world No. 3 McIlroy, instead of suggesting that more players should be included in the 69-strong field, went against the grain, believing that the competition and tour as a whole should be more exclusive.
Rory McIlroy’s wish for a more exclusive PGA Tour seems to have been granted (Image: AP)
Now, it seems as though the governing body have listened, as they announced on Monday a plethora of sweeping changes that mirror McIlroy’s demands. Among said changes will be smaller fields, fewer tour cards given out to those who want to compete on the circuit and fewer players fully exempt from losing their cards – all of which should be music to his ears.
Speaking in Bay Hill, McIlroy’s wish was clear as he said: “I’m all for making it [the tour] more cutthroat, more competitive. Probably won’t be very popular for saying this, but I’m all for less players and less Tour cards, and the best of the best.”
The PGA have now approved such changes for the 2026 season, including reducing the number of players who will keep their tour cards with fully exempt status from 125 to 100.
Their statement reads: “The PGA Tour Policy Board today approved competitive changes supported by the Player Advisory Council (PAC) that will deliver a stronger and more competitive and entertaining PGA Tour to fans, players, tournaments and partners.”
As mentioned, entering the circuit has also been made harder. The number of cards on offer to those wishing to graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour – a developmental tour for those who have yet to reach the PGA or do not have the necessary FedEx Cup points to remain there – has been cut from 30 to 20.
McIlroy will be pleased with the PGA Tour’s changes ( Image: Getty Images)
Another of McIlroy’s suggestions has been met in the form of reduced field sizes. Some events, namely the Players Championship, will be reduced to 120 players, with most events seeing a 12-player drop from 2026. FedEx Cup points allocation has also been altered.
The tour’s chief competitions officer, Tyler Dennis, stated on the back of these field size changes: “These field size adjustments, which also promote a better flow of play, improve the chances of rounds being completed each day with a greater ability to make the 36-hole cut on schedule under normal weather conditions.
“For our fans, this certainty sets up weekend storylines much more effectively and will make the PGA Tour easier and more enjoyable to follow.”
