While the entire golfing landscape could seemingly experience a seismic change at any point, it appears that the PGA Tour are preparing for a world where they continue largely on their own over the coming years.
Little looks set to change in 2025, but the PGA Tour has been considering several alterations for the 2026 season – with the issue of slow play seemingly at the forefront of the changes which had, until recently, been on the discussion table.
The PGA Tour policy board have now approved changes which will see the number of players keeping their cards each year reduced from 125 to 100. Meanwhile, field sizes are set to be reduced at a large number of tournaments. And the Korn Ferry Tour will now only see 20 players promoted each year rather than 30.
Brian Harman reacts to the changes coming to the PGA Tour in 2026
Unsurprisingly, the changes have divided opinion. But speaking ahead of the RSM Classic, 2023 Open champion Brian Harman suggested that something had to be done about how long tournaments take.
“Daylight’s a big thing, can’t finish,” he said. “The Tour’s been expanding for the last I don’t know how many years and just we’re trying to come up with the best possible product for television, for the players and to make sure that people have pathways to get in.
“I feel as though when we get into some of these 156-man fields, you can look at the parking lot out here, there’s nowhere to park and [Sea Island] is two golf courses, thank goodness. But 156 on one golf course, it’s hard to navigate a practice round, it’s hard to navigate where to get food.
“I mean, logistically it just makes it a lot, a lot tougher.”
“I’m not numb to the fact that we’re cutting opportunities, right? It’s not something that sits well with me and it doesn’t sit well with anyone that was in any of those discussions,” Harman said. “But all these decisions that get made, they’re all not good or all bad.”
What others have said about the changes to the PGA Tour for 2026
It probably should not come as any kind of shock that the opinions about the issue are extremely divided. Padraig Harrington labelled the proposals ‘terrible’, while Matthew Fitzpatrick has criticised the idea that reducing field sizes is designed to help with pace of play.
Meanwhile, others have defended the changes. Michael Kim admitted that he would reluctantly back the proposals – even as someone who may suffer because of them.
Ultimately, it is hard not to feel that those at the top – who are already receiving huge sums – are set to benefit further, and likely to hold onto their positions for longer with these changes.
While something needed to be done, it is hard to argue with those who view the move as a way to close the pathway off to those looking to make their way to the top table.
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