PGA Tour told they now have a big ‘problem’ with signature events which needs to be solved

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The PGA Tour has been told there’s a big issue with signature events which needs to be rectified moving forward into the 2025 season.

The eight limited-field events saw players earn increased prize money and FedEx Cup points during the 2024 campaign.

Scottie Scheffler, after winning four, is atop the points standings and in an extremely healthy position.

However, the signature events can feel particularly exclusive – and Aussie golf star Min Woo Lee, for example, has had to settle for a watching berth during much of the season, something that’s been hard to take for the 25-year-old.

Now, former tour professional Tripp Isenhour has told the PGA Tour that issues surrounding the signature events must be rectified.

Signature event points must be looked at

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Currently, the points handed out at signature events to specific places are equal to the major championships, something Isenhour insists must change.

“The problem we have going forward, two things the Tour has really got to look at,” he told the Golf Channel.

“The points in the signature events, two through 10, is the same as a major championship. That should not stand. That also dilutes the major championships.”

He added: “They need to stand alone as the best in the game of golf and achieve a top 10 there; you should get more points than any other event.

“In effect with adding the six signature events, we have 10 major championships that the guys who are in the top 50 and have the opportunity to play in them have the ability to put a chasm between them and other players, and it’s a hard treadmill to run on if you’re not in those events.”

Isenhour also suggested that the PGA Tour must look into making changes regarding the player director role.

“They need to look at that,” he added. “The players need to say that the signature events can have more points than a regular event but not the same as a major championship.

“The last thing I will say is that the tour needs to take a look from the player director part. I don’t think when you are a player director you should be able to vote for your own interests. That’s why I think player directors should be former players.”

The PGA Tour signature event party is hard to break into

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The concept of signature events is undoubtedly a positive one. If the regular PGA Tour pro can find his way into one of the eight tournaments and play well, it can be career-changing.

But, allowing the pathway to be slightly more straightforward feels essential.

Potentially reducing the number of points awarded and adding one or two more routes into the signature events seems like the right course.

Players of Min Woo Lee’s quality can’t be forced to take a back seat for eight weeks of the year. In the future, it will be interesting to see if the authorities listen to Isenhour’s suggestions.