It is fair to say that golf is going into 2025 anticipating a number of changes, with so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the PGA Tour.
Of course, the big question surrounds a deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF. However, there are also big changes coming in 2026 regarding field sizes and the number of players keeping their cards each year.
The big concern regarding these changes was that the PGA Tour would become even more of a closed shop, with those already in the field for the signature events in a fantastic position to keep their spots no matter how they play. But that should change somewhat, thanks to Maverick McNealy.
McNealy – who won the RSM Classic this year – felt that those playing in the signature events were getting too many points for their finishes when compared with the points on offer in the other tournaments on the schedule.
Maverick McNealy suggests two PGA Tour players were laughed at for suggesting change to the structure
It appears that McNealy’s research is going to influence how players are going to be rewarded in future. While the prize money may not change for the signature events, there will be more FedEx Cup points on offer for those not playing in the flagship tournaments.
But speaking to Smylie Kaufman on The Smylie Show, McNealy explained how this is something plenty of players have been pushing for for some time – even when they have faced unfair criticism.
“You made the best suggestion I think because I am looking at the distribution of points list for this season with open events, signature events and majors and I’m looking at it thinking how on earth does anyone in the world have a chance outside of the signature events? I am sitting here looking at it running the numbers and I called Charlie and was like buddy, nobody has a chance, the numbers they are spitting out saying 35 percent retention rate, nobody has a chance, that’s not going to happen,” Kaufman suggested.
“I went into Memphis 59th in the FedEx Cup and sixth in strokes gained for the year,” McNealy said.
“You are not the only guy. Davis Thompson was another guy who was very high in strokes gained. Keith Mitchell was another who was really high. Everybody is looking at your season saying they had pretty good seasons, they are just not quite over the hump yet. It’s like actually no, they played really good with the system that’s in place,” Kaufman replied.
“I have to give a lot of credit to guys like Lanto Griffin and Nate Lashley, who were trying to do something about it at the start of the year but there wasn’t really any traction. People laughed at them because they were like how many wins do they have. Kind of like the snarky comments that happen when you aren’t a top player and you stick your neck out there. But they were totally right. It took about half a year’s worth of data. I was like I feel like this isn’t fair, I am going to find out and about two hours later I was like this is totally not correct. I sent it to Hunter, who does my stats, and I felt like half if not more of the tour had seen it. Everyone was noticing it, we just didn’t have the number to put our finger on it. I will give the Tour credit for getting it right immediately after and starting this next season but it was definitely a ready, fire and aim type situation,” McNealy added.
Why the PGA Tour needs to make changes amid concerns for the future
It is not surprising that changes look set to be made. The signature events do boast much stronger fields than the majority of the tournaments elsewhere on the calendar. However, there is a much smaller list of players teeing it up at each signature event, and there is no cut.
So a 60th place finish is arguably just as, if not more, impressive at the RSM Classic than the same result at the Travelers Championship. And thus, it makes sense to make the points much more balanced.
Ultimately, it may mean that a couple of bigger names face a tougher fight to keep their spot at the very top table. But the PGA Tour has to be able to create as many superstars as possible, and so, it is imperative that there is a much fairer pathway available to those looking to break through.
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