Padraig Harrington is one of the players who has not been afraid to share his views on some of the changes which have been made to the PGA Tour in recent years.
The PGA Tour has had to ask a number of tough questions of itself in recent years. Interest in the game at the very highest level appears to be declining, with The Sentry attracting poor viewing figures earlier this year.
So it is not entirely surprising that some big changes are on their way. Of course, 2026 is going to see field sizes cut right down, while the number of players who keep their cards each year will also be reduced.
It appears that slow play is the motivation for the changes – though some are far from happy about how the tour is going to look from next year.
Padraig Harrington criticises the PGA Tour ahead of upcoming change
Padraig Harrington previously labelled the changes ‘terrible’. And he has now taken to X to hit out at the end of the Monday qualifiers.
Harrington was reacting to the final Monday qualifier ahead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open this week, with the event being hosted for 77 years. And he insisted that the PGA Tour have missed a trick not doing more with those who earn a last minute place in the field.
The PGA Tour seemingly ignores one of Full Swing’s biggest success stories
While the PGA Tour is right to act, it does appear that Harrington would suggest that they have gone about their plans in completely the wrong way. Clearly, tackling slow play is vital. But there are real concerns that what they are putting together is a closed shop for the best players to keep their spot.
Building on the superstars they have is important. But the PGA Tour simply has to create new superstars, otherwise they will pay the price in the future.
Full Swing helped build the popularity of Joel Dahmen, who faced a fight to keep his card right at the end of the year in 2024.
And Harrington’s comments suggest that he would like to see something similar with the underdogs who earn their place in the field through Monday qualifying.
But clearly, that path is soon going to be closed off.
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