Full Breakdown
PGA of America Sets Course for PGA Championship and Ryder Cup Amid Calls for Change
5/14/2026, 11:05:54 PM
Core Event: Press Conferences Set Direction for PGA Championship and Ryder Cup
On May 13, 2026, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark and Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh discussed the PGA Championship’s schedule, prize-money policy, equipment feedback, and the Ryder Cup. The same week, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk presented his plan for the 2027 competition.
Background, Context, and Key Data
The PGA Championship shifted from August to May in 2019, creating a five-week gap after the Masters. The 2025 purse was $19 million, below the Masters ($22.5 million) and the U.S. Open ($21.5 million). The U.S. Ryder Cup team has lost its last two matches (2023, 2025) and holds a 6-19 foursomes record.
Key Figures
Terry Clark (PGA of America CEO), Kerry Haigh (Chief Championships Officer), Jim Furyk (U.S. Ryder Cup captain), PGA of America, U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Official Statements, Criticism, and Gaps
Clark called the May slot a “strong position,” rejected any move abroad, and described prize-money policy as “balanced.” He opposed equipment bifurcation and said PGA of America will invest in Ryder Cup as a “crown-jewel asset.” Furyk presented a “blueprint” focused on continuity, analytics, and a revised points system, calling foursomes a “glaring problem.” Critics note PGA Championship’s lower purse and U.S. Ryder Cup’s poor foursomes record. Clark gave no firm stance on ball-rollback impact; Furyk did not set a timeline for points-system changes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Clark declined to give a definitive assessment of the ball-rollback impact, stating “we don’t know that.” Furyk did not specify when any points-system changes would be implemented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I really think we've got a strong position in May,” — Terry Clark, PGA of America CEO
- “I don’t see that being a real focus as far as right now.” — Terry Clark, PGA of America CEO
- “We need to create a blueprint; we need to create more continuity for our players and for our future captains,” — Jim Furyk, U.S. Ryder Cup captain
- “There’s not a problem of effort,” — Jim Furyk, U.S. Ryder Cup captain
What's Next
The 2026 PGA Championship opens at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday, with the purse to be announced Saturday. The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor, Ireland, where Furyk intends to apply his continuity and analytics agenda and may propose adjustments to the qualification points system before the next selection cycle.
