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Brian Rolapp outlines hard-line merit-based criteria for Scottie Scheffler & Co. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images))
The PGA Tour is leaning into a meritocracy narrative with its new dual series structure beginning in 2028 that will see shorter exemption windows and a standardized points system across all tournaments, including the major championships and the Players Championship.
The PGA Tour announced Tuesday its new membership criteria that will see major winners beginning next year earn a spot on the upper Championship Series for two years instead of five and the top 90 players in a season-long points series retaining their position for the following year.
Those outside of the top 90 without some specified exemption will be relegated to the Challenger Series.
The PGA Tour Policy Board approved the changes at a Monday meeting.
“From the beginning, we set out to preserve the meritocracy that makes our sport unique by creating a system where performance dictates opportunity,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in a statement. “Through new eligibility criteria and supporting pathways into the PGA Tour, the new competitive model is designed to reward excellence and ensure there is always a clear path for top performers at every stage of their career. For fans, this means a clear understanding of what is at stake during each PGA Tour competition, whether that is at an event or across a season.”
The tour is keeping its eligibility standards through 2026 going forward, which means players such as Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai, Wyndham Clark and Ryan Fox — the major championship winners this year — are exempt into the Championship Series through 2031. The same would be true of Scottie Scheffler and his various exemptions.
But starting next year, that changes to just two years, with the remaining time of the major exemption guaranteeing a player at least a spot on the Challenger Series.
Tiger Woods’ avenue to the Championship Series will be via the all-time career money list (he is currently second behind Scheffler) but it is a one-time-only exemption. It also requires that he play 15 times in 2027, although there will be a stipulation based on medical waivers that would allow him to bypass the 15-tournament minimum. It appears, however, that Woods — or any player using this one-time exemption —would need to earn their way in subsequent season via other qualifying critieria.
The tour said the spots given to DP World Tour members — which is currently 10 based on the Race to Dubai season-long points list — is still to be determined as part of new strategic alliance negotiations between the circuits.
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Unresolved details are to be decided at the next PGA Tour Policy Board meeting on Nov. 16. Rolapp will be discussing the various aspects of the program during a media call on Tuesday.
While the majors and Players Championship will maintain eligibility criteria specific to each respective events, the PGA Tour Championship Series will be made up of eligible players based on designated membership categories. These players will be eligible to compete in all Championship Series events and there will be no alternate list. Field sizes will vary based on the number of players committed.
To make it easier for fans to understand, all Championship Series events will use the same points distribution for all events including the majors and Players. Additionally, the points list will be easier to follow over the course of the season, as players are competing head-to-head throughout the year and only earn points within their respective series.
The new points distribution model will feature a flatter curve, rewarding winning and top finishes while emphasizing the importance of making the cut.
Championship Series membership criteria include:
Retained players: Top 90 players each season who retain PGA Tour Championship Series membership.
Promoted players: Top 20 players who are promoted from the Challenger Series.
Two-time winners: Players who win twice during the Challenger Series season.
Two-year winner exemptions: Winners of Championship Series events (including the majors and Players) receive Championship Series membership for the current
